Passport/Visa Requirements: Passports are required of Canadian and U.S. travelers. Visas are required of Canadian and U.S. travelers staying beyond 90 days. Proof of onward passage is required of all. Visas are required of all for visits to other parts of China. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier before departing. Further information is available at http://www.immd.gov.hk.
Languages: Cantonese, the dialect spoken in Guangdong province, is the main language, but since the transfer back to China in 1997, Mandarin (Putonghua) has become increasingly important. English is spoken in all the main tourist areas, hotels and restaurants..
Predominant Religions: Taoist, Buddhist, Confucian, Christian.
Time Zone: 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+8 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
Voltage Requirements: 220 and 50 cycles. Most hotels have outlets for three-prong, two-prong and standard shaver adapters.
Telephone Codes: 852, country code;
| Currency Exchange | Top  |
The Hong Kong dollar is an internationally recognized currency, separate from China's. Although the currency is pegged to the U.S. dollar, you may find some variation in the rates actually available. You'll need to present your passport when exchanging money.
ATMs are plentiful in Hong Kong—you'll find them outside of banks, in many shopping complexes and malls and in MTR stations. ATMs accept many major foreign bank cards and credit cards. They dispense Hong Kong dollars at the going rate of exchange. However, don't rely on just one bank or credit card to obtain cash. Sometimes a card, inexplicably, won't work in an ATM.
Banks often give a better exchange rate than currency exchanges or hotels, but some banks will charge an administrative fee. Check around.
Money changers in side streets around Sheung Wan MTR station (one stop west of Central) offer competitive rates. Be aware that just because some money changers advertise that they charge no fee or commission, it doesn't mean you're getting a good deal from them. They often change at lower rates than banks.
| Banking Hours | Top |
Banks are usually open Monday-Friday 9 am-4:30 pm, Saturday 9 am-1 pm. The Hongkong Bank opens earlier at certain branches—8:30 am at the China Building in Central, for example.
A 10% service charge and a 3% government tax are added to hotel bills. There are no sales or value-added taxes.
Most restaurants add a 10% service charge automatically, but this doesn't necessarily find its way into the pockets of the waitstaff, who generally expect an additional tip. Taxi drivers will always happily accept a tip, but most simply mark the fare up to the nearest Hong Kong dollar. Bellhops, restroom attendants and others in hotels expect a small tip as well, usually HK$5-$10 per bag.
Hong Kong's climate is subtropical, with hot, humid summers that can reach temperatures of 95 F/35 C and humidity close to 100%. Heavy rains May-September make the season a bad time to visit. May-October, typhoons with strong winds are likely. Ferries stop operating once a typhoon signal 8 is hoisted (signals range in escalating order from 1 to 10), so don't get caught on an outlying island. Signal warnings are posted at ferry piers, on the television and radio, and at the entrances to many hotels and shopping centers, or check http://www.underground.org.hk for weather updates. From October, temperatures drop to the cool 60s F/20s C. The coldest time of year is December-February. Hong Kong does not have much, if any, central heating (just air-conditioning), which can make homes and shops cold when the temperature drops to 50 F/10 C. Clear, sunny days make October-November the best time to visit.
| Weather Forecast | Top  |
Weather forecast not available at this time.
| What to Wear | Top |
Take the weather into consideration when you pack. If you're a leisure traveler or plan to have some leisure time, you'll want to take hot-weather clothing for the warmer months (April-October): T-shirts, sandals and so on. Some of the hotels have dress restrictions, such as no T-shirts, or a stipulation that men must wear jackets and ties if they're lounging in public areas. July and August are particularly hot, but all restaurants (and offices) are air conditioned to the extreme: The difference between the humid exterior and overchilled interiors can be a shock to the system, so summer travelers should include a cover-up in their suitcases. November-March, take clothes that can be layered: The weather is likely to be quite cool, but some days may be unusually warm.
Men customarily wear suits to business meetings throughout the year; women wear suits or dresses. Hong Kong is a conservative culture where business casual has not become the standard. In addition, revealing clothing may be considered insulting and should be avoided in professional settings.
| Communication | Top |
| Internet Access | Top |
Hong Kong International is the most-fully digitalized airport in the world with Internet access everywhere on its 3,100-acre/1,254-hectare grounds. For those traveling without laptops or handheld communication devices, there are Internet cafes and a few free computer terminals throughout the airport.
Hong Kong has an abundance of cafes offering free Internet access, thanks to the omnipresent Pacific Coffee chain, which has outlets across Hong Kong Island and throughout Tsim Sha Tsui. Rather than charge for access, the outlets ask that you buy a drink or a snack—customers are not encouraged to stay online for very long. MIX Juice Bars at 3 Queen's Road, Central, and at the IFC Mall offer the same free access, with the advantage of some of the freshest treats in Hong Kong. Systech Telecom offers free Wi-Fi (registration required) within several shopping malls, including Empire Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui Centre and China Hong Kong City (Ferry Terminal).
Access to printers or other peripherals is extremely rare. If you need to print out material, hotel business centers are better bets.
| Mail & Package Services | Top |
There are convenient drop-off locations all over Hong Kong and Kowloon, with packing materials and helpful service. Try Central MTR Station at Exit F and TST Station at Exit D. Most locations are open Monday-Friday 9 am-7:30 pm and Saturday 9 am-4 pm.
This office on Hong Kong Island is centrally located in Connaught Place (there is also a general post office at the airport). Mail service is quick, reliable and inexpensive. Most post offices are open Monday-Friday 8 am-6 pm, Saturday 9 am-1 pm. 2 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong. Phone 2921-2222. http://www.hongkongpost.com.
| Newspapers & Magazines | Top |
The South China Morning Post and
HK Standard are the two local English-language newspapers. More Chinese newspapers are printed in Hong Kong than in any other city in the world—more than 60 at last count.
Hotels usually have a selection of English-language newspapers. At the Star Ferry Pier, in both Tsim Sha Tsui and Central, newsstands carry a wide selection.
HK Magazine is published weekly and distributed free in many shops, bars and restaurants. It carries restaurant, club, movie and theater listings. The fortnightly BC Magazine has articles on the latest club and concert happenings. It's also distributed free in bars and restaurants. The South China Morning Post has comprehensive listings and reviews of events.
Where and City Life magazines also carry tourist information for dining, shopping and entertainment. There are several glossy English-language monthly magazines covering local social life and events; leaders are the Hong Kong Tatler, Baccarat and The Peak.
Public phones usually take phone cards, which can be bought at 7-Eleven convenience stores; a small number take coins (HK$1 for five minutes locally) and credit cards. Some shops will let you use the phones there for free local calls. Check to see if your hotel is one that passes on to guests a free local call service.
Cell-phone coverage is excellent—from the subway to the tops of Hong Kong's tallest buildings and even on the hiking trails of outer islands—although some remote country parks may have less coverage. Travelers with GSM phones can buy a chip for 200 minutes of local calls for HK$88 at most mobile-phone shops. This card comes with a local number, which is good for about one month, and additional cards can be purchased as needed.
For directory assistance, phone 1081. For collect calls, phone 10010. For oveseas IDD and cardphone inquiries, phone 10013.
| Transportation | Top |
The world's last fleet of double-decker trams and the Star Ferry offer probably the best travel bargains anywhere. The Star Ferry connects Central with Tsim Sha Tsui on the Kowloon side and Kowloon with Wanchai. Other services provide access to parts of the New Territories and Outlying Islands. The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is modern, pristine and efficient, and double-decker buses cover an extensive network of roads. Taxi drivers may speak some English, but it's very advisable to have your hotel concierge write down your destination in Chinese. All street signs, directions and bus routes use both English and Chinese.
The operations of the MTR and the former Kowloon Canton Railway have been merged under the MTR Coporation. Services remain the same, but some station names have been changed. For example, Mong Kok KCR Station is now MRT Mong Kok East Station. Free maps are available and plentiful. The MTR hotline is 2881-8888. http://www.mtr.com.hk.
Consider buying an Octopus card in the MTR stations, which can be used for most forms of public transportation. Different types of cards are available for one day (HK$150 adults, HK$70 seniors and children) or three days (HK$220 and discounts) and may include the shuttle to or from the airport (which usually costs HK$180). You can also get a rechargeable card. The charge is made each time you scan the card; unused amounts are refundable. Phone 2266- 2222.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) at Chek Lap Kok is a megastructure sprawling on reclaimed land north of Lantau Island. It's 21 mi/35 km from the city and connected by a high-speed railway, superhighway and suspension bridge.
Before leaving Hong Kong, reconfirm your ticket 72 hours in advance by calling the local office of the airline. This is critical, because flights are often overbooked and you could lose your seat. This precaution, however, is not necessary on Hong Kong's flagship carrier, Cathay Pacific. For flight information, phone 2181-8888. There is a departure tax of HK$120 for those older than 12.
Connecting Transportation
Best way: The high-speed Airport Express Link train literally departs from inside the arrivals hall and makes the trip to Central Hong Kong in approximately 25 minutes (stopping at Kowloon and Tsing Yi) and costs HK$180. Trains operate daily 6 am-1 am. The MTR offers free shuttle-bus service to major hotels. Some hotels offer their own service from the station, which makes it the fastest option. Taxis are available at all three stops to take passengers to their final destinations. From the Central terminal, the ride to hotels in Central, Mid-Levels and Wanchai costs around HK$35.
Other options: High-speed ferries operate every 20-30 minutes 6 am-11 pm between the airport and Tuen Mun in the western New Territories. The nine-minute journey costs HK$15. From there you can get to Central via another hoverferry. Phone 2987-7351.
Most taxi drivers will understand the names of major areas and hotels, but you may be handed the cabbie's microphone to speak to the dispatcher, who'll act as interpreter. A trip from the airport to Central takes 45-60 minutes and costs HK$350-$400. The trip to Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon takes 30 minutes and costs HK$280-$300.
Franchised, air-conditioned buses (Airbus) take an hour or slightly longer to make the trip into town but cost less: HK$33-$39 for a trip to Kowloon, HK$40-$45 for a trip to Central. Buses to both Kowloon and Central run every 20 minutes.
Ferries to Outlying Islands such as Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, Lamma and Lantau can be taken from the piers in Central. Fares and operating times vary. Some ferry ticket booths will no longer give you change, so take plenty of coins or an Octopus card. Ferry routes and fares can be obtained from the Hong Kong Tourism Board's service centers and its multilingual hotline daily 8 am-6 pm. Phone 2508-1234.
Almost everyone's favorite memory of Hong Kong is a trip on the Star Ferry. The ferry line plies several routes and is one of the most pleasant ways of getting from Hong Kong Island to the Kowloon Peninsula, especially during the cooler seasons. The main terminals are at Central, Wanchai and Tsim Sha Tsui. Ferries from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui run every five-10 minutes 6:30 am-11:30 pm and leave Tsim Sha Tsui for Wanchai every 10-20 minutes 7:30 am-11 pm. The fare for the first-class upper deck is HK$2.20 (HK$1.70 for the lower deck); views from the second-class deck aren't as good. Phone 2367-7065 (Central Pier).
| Public Transportation | Top |
Public transport can be easily negotiated by visitors. The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is particularly useful. Inside each station are well-designed maps of the immediate area and easy-to-use self-operating ticket machines. Customer service desks give change. Most MTR staff speak English and will point you in the right direction. Next-station announcements on the trains are given in Cantonese and English. Visitors may use stored-value Octopus cards on the Mass Transit Railway (MTR), the Airport Express Link (AEL) and on many bus routes.
An efficient network of double-decker buses can take you almost anywhere, but some conductors and many drivers are either unwilling or unable to speak to passengers. Buses will get you to the island's south side or around the New Territories, which the MTR does not serve. Some journeys (especially to Stanley and Shek O) are spectacularly beautiful, but some motorists' breathtaking disregard for safety can make the trip extremely stressful. Most tourists don't use the minibuses, which are yellow with a red stripe, because the drivers don't speak English.
Buses—Three major bus companies serve Hong Kong: New World First Bus and Citybus, both of which operate on Hong Kong Island, and Kowloon Motor Bus, which operates in Kowloon and the New Territories. Each route has a set fare. You cannot buy tickets in advance—simply pay when boarding. Keep plenty of coins or an Octopus card handy: The driver will not provide change. There are major bus terminals at Star Ferry Piers on both sides of the harbor, adjacent to the Outlying Island Piers and at Exchange Square, Central. For sightseers, try Bus 15—it goes from Central to the Peak.
Subways—The MTR is quick, spotless and convenient. There are multiple lines: the Island Line (from Sheung Wan, west of Central, to Chai Wan in the east); Tsuen Wan Line (goes under the harbor to the New Territories); the Kwun Tong Line (loops north and east through Kowloon from Mong Kok and crosses under the harbor to Quarry Bay on eastern Hong Kong Island); the Tung Chung line, (from Central to the new city of Tung Chung, between Hong Kong Disneyland and Chek Lap Kok International Airport); and the Airport Express. Single-journey tickets, starting at HK$4-$13, may be purchased from machines or ticket counters. Octopus cards are simple to use and more cost-effective.
Trolleys/Streetcars—Hong Kong Tramways' fleet of double-decker vehicles has been in service since 1904, except for a brief interval during World War II. Though best avoided during rush hours, they're a pleasant way to trace the former outlines of Hong Kong Island: The tracks run along what used to be the waterfront. Front seats on the upper deck are the best. Enter via the back doors and exit at the front. Exact fare is required—HK$2 adults—and pay on your way out. Trams are not air conditioned and may be uncomfortable for long trips in the hot, humid summer. Various routes travel between Kennedy Town (west of Central) and Happy Valley, Causeway Bay, North Point or the terminus at Shau Kei Wan.
Hail taxis from the road unless there's a single yellow line beside the sidewalk during the day Monday-Saturday (or a double yellow line at other times). Drivers have the right to add a surcharge for luggage, but few bother. They will add the tolls for cross-harbor tunnels, however, which range between HK$20 and HK$40. Hong Kong Island and Kowloon taxis are red, those in the New Territories are green, and those on Lantau are sky blue. Red taxis are most expensive, with a flagfall fare of HK$15.
If you're staying in a hotel, have the doorman help you get a taxi and tell the driver your destination, since many drivers only speak the local Cantonese dialect. It's essential to have the doorman, concierge or front-desk staff write down the address of your destination in Chinese.
This commuter rail line is merged with MTR, and stations have been renamed to MTR signage, although you will still find references to KCR. Trains run every five or 10 minutes and more often during rush hour. A quick way to get to the New Territories, it connects with the MTR Kwun Tong line at Kowloon Tong Station. The main station is the Hung Hom Railway Station, but another spur connects passengers directly to Tsim Sha Tsui in the heart of Kowloon, a blessing for travelers going back and forth to the Chinese border at Shenzhen. Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Phone 2602-7799.
| For More Information | Top |
| Additional Reading | Top |
Another Hong Kong: An Explorer's Guide, edited by Alan Moores. Emphasis (HK) Ltd., 1989 A collection of essays, mostly on the countryside and island areas that few tourists see.
Taipan and Noble House, both by James Clavell, and Kowloon Tong: A Novel of Hong Kong, by Paul Theroux. These three novels are set in different periods of Hong Kong's history and provide good background information on the city and its history.
| Tourist Offices | Top |
Publishes guides and maps and organizes affordable, time-saving tours. The staff speaks English and is happy to answer questions. Daily 8 am-6 pm. The Centre, Ground Floor, 99 Queen's Road, Central. Phone 2508-1234. There is another office at the Star Ferry Concourse in Tsim Sha Tsui and at Exit F of Causeway Bay MTR, and one at the Transfer Area E2 and Arrival Halls A & B of Hong Kong International Airport. Open daily 7 am-11 pm. In addition, there is a multilingual visitors' hotline. Phone 852-2508-1234. http://www.discoverhongkong.com.
