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HONGKONG > FACTS ABOUT THE VISITORS
Best Time to Visit Hong Kong
The climate is ideal in October and November. The humidity is typically high in the spring and even worse in the summer, when high temperatures (usual max 33-34) are often recorded. Rugby fans, and those wishing to party, should come during the weekend of the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens. During the Chinese New Year, whilst there are some extra celebrating events such as a lion dances, fireworks, and parades, many shops and restaurants are closed for three days to a week. However, for the Chinese, it is a good time for family reunions and paying visits to relatives. Christmas is also a nice time to visit as shops and shopping centres are nicely decorated and the festive mood is everywhere in the city.
Immigration and Custom
Visitors must hold a valid passport, endorsed where necessary for Hong Kong. Citizens of some 24 countries, including the USA, Japan, and certain Western European and South American nations are permitted one-month visa-free visits. Three-month visa-free visits are available to another 23 countries as well as all Commonwealth countries.
Visitors from most countries can enter Hong Kong without a visa for periods of seven days to six months, depending on nationality.
Vaccination certificates are not required for yellow fever, cholera and typhoid for visitors travelling to Hong Kong. Check with your travel agent well before your departure, however, as requirements can change without notice.
Visitors may bring into Hong Kong free of duty:
Liquor - A one-liter bottle of wine or spirits.
Ivory - The importation and exportation of raw or worked ivory is governed by strict regulation. Firearms must be declared and handed into custody until departure.
Currency
The unit of currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$). Notes issued by two private banks (the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank and Standard Chartered Bank) have denominations of $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, and $1000. The Bank of China issues all of the denominations except HK$10. There are silver coins for HK$1, HK$2, and HK$5, bronze coins for HK10 cents, HK20 cents and HK50 cents, and a new nickel and bronze coin for $10.
Electricity
The voltage in Hong Kong is 200/220 volts, 50 cycles. Most hotels provide adaptors.
Water
All water direct from government mains in Hong Kong satisfies the United Nations World Health Organization standards. Bottled water is widely available in hotels and supermarkets.
Telephones
Local calls are free, and many stores and restaurants offer use of a telephone free of charge to patrons. Most hotels have International Direct Dialling (IDD). Please note that some hotels charge a handling fee for local and/or international calls. You can also make long-distance calls from (IDD) Public Coin Phones and from HK Telecom International Ltd. Offices.
Post Offices
The main post offices are on Hong Kong Island, next to the Star Ferry and in Kowloon at 10 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Both are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm on Saturday. All post offices close on Sunday and public holidays.
Television
There are two English-language channels. Programmes include a selection of locally produced shows as well as features from the UK, the US, and Australia. Also available is STAR TV (a satellite channel) and, in some areas, Cable TV (subscription television).
Radio
Fifteen radio channels are broadcast in Hong Kong. Six English-language channels provide a wide range of programmes and the BBC World Service is available 24 hours.
Office and Banking Hours
Most offices open from 9am to 5pm with a lunch hour from 1 pm to 2pm. On Saturday the hours are 9am to 1 pm. Some Chinese businesses open at 10am and close around 6pm or later. Major banks are open from 9am to 4.30pm on weekdays, 9am to 12.30pm on Saturday.
Transportation
Taxis
Taxis are numerous and readily available, and fares are low compared with those in most cities. Red taxis serve Hong Kong Island and Kowloon; green ones in the New Territories and blue taxis on Lantau Island operate at even lower rates. Many drivers speak some English but it is wise to have your destination written in Chinese characters. If you have any queries or complaints, note the taxi's number and call the 24-hour Police Hotline on 2527 7177.
Buses
Double-decker buses, which run from 6 AM till 3 midnight, cover most parts of the territory.
Minibuses
Minibuses are small passenger vans which are yellow with a red stripe. They can pick up passengers and let them off anywhere except regular bus stops and the usual restricted areas.
Maxicabs
Maxicabs are yellow with a green stripe. They run along specific routes, a sign on the front indicates the destination. Pay as you get on.
Trains
The Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) is 34 kilometres long and runs from Hung Hom in Kowloon up to the border with China. Trains run every tour to 10 minutes in each direction, and vary according to the ordinary single trip to Sheung Shui, the farthest you can go without a China visa). It's a go way to visit some of the New Territories' towns and villages.
The Mass Transit Railway (MTR), Hong Kong's fast, efficient and air-conditioned underground system, runs not only along the north side of Hong Kong Island, but also from Central across the harbour to divide into east and west branches in Kowloon. Stations are located by a X symbol. The Light Rail Transit (LRT) is a high-speed surface system linking the New Territories towns of Tuen Mun Yuen Long. The LRT runs from 5.30am to 12.30am daily.
Ferries
The Star Ferry, which has connected Hong Kong and Kowloon since 1898, runs regularly between 6.30am to 11.30pm. It must be one of the cheapest and most scenic ferry rides in the world. The crossing takes approximately eight minutes..
Trams
Since 1904, the tram system has run east to west along the north side of Hong Kong Island, and still provides a leisurely, grandstand view.
The Peak Tram is one of the most advanced tram systems in the world, taking just eight minutes to climb Victoria Peak. The service operates from 7am to midnighth. The funicular railway has run since 1888 and is still the quickest way to reach the Peak.
Car Hire
Self-drive rental cars are not often used in Hong Kong, but chauffeur-driven cars are widely available. Hotels have their own limousines for hire
Rickshaws
The only means of travel in the old days, rickshaws today are used mainly for fun rides
Festivals
Chinese (Lunar) New Year
Although this may seem like an ideal time to go to Hong Kong, many shops and restaurants close down during the Chinese New Year. However, unlike Christmas in Europe where you can hardly find shops open on this big day, you can still get food and daily products easily during Lunar New Year.
Spring Lantern Festival
If you go to Victoria Park of Hong Kong Island, you will have a great excursion of this tradition Chinese festival. A great deal of beautiful lanterns can be found.
Ching Ming Festival
This festival in Spring is also known as grave sweeping day. As a tradition, members of the Chinese family go to the grave of their ancestors, sweep away the leaves and remove weeds around the grave area, with a view to showing respect to the deceased. Paper offerings are also burned including fake money.
Cheung Chau Bun Festival
This is found on the tiny island of Cheung Chau. In the past the festival has involved competitions with people climbing Bun Towers to snatch buns. After the accidental collapse of a bun tower in 1978 due to an overload of people, the competition was abandoned. It was resumed again in 2005 with new safety measures.
Tuen Ng Festival
This is a festival in memory of a national hero.
Mid Autumn Festival
This festival is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eight lunar month. Moon cakes are eaten, which contain lotus seed paste and duck egg yolks. Many western people will find the traditional mooncake hard to appreciate, so you might like to try the ice-cream version as well. The festival is also known as the lantern festival and various parts of Hong Kong will be festooned with decorative lanterns which set the night scene ablaze with colour.
Chung Yeung Festival
Is a day also known as Autumn Remembrance, which is similar to Ching Ming in spring, where families visit the graves of their ancestors to perform cleansing rites and pay their respects. As the weather cools down during this part of the year, hiking is a good activity to do during this holiday.
Christmas
Christmas is celebrated Hong Kong style. The city is adorned using traditional western Christmas decorations, including a large artificial tree in Central and plenty of opportunities for children to meet Santa in the shopping centres. Sometimes Christmas is referred to as Winter Fest' and is probably more commercialised than in most countries. |
