Hong Kong is an international city, which blends in the best from the East and West, creating a unique personality. Hong Kong leads the global resurgence of Chinese culture, and stands at the forefront of an exciting new era where every moment in this exciting city is an unforgettable experience.

Hong Kong offers plenty of options, ranging from the bustle of the city life to tranquil countryside, from graceful harbour cruises to fast-paced horse-racing action. From early morning until late at night there is always a shop waiting for you in this shopping paradise. Food lovers will enjoy the succulent taste of Hong Kong: stunning home-style delicacies, surprising fusion food, spectacular fresh seafood, regional Chinese delights and cuisines from around the world!

Hong Kong comprises 260 islands including one with the largest Buddha in the world. There’s the Kowloon peninsula teeming with shops, temples, markets and restaurants; the New Territories, which offers a contrast of scenic beauty and man-made achievements, its unique gardens and parks bursting with birds, wildlife and plants. It has a population of nearly 7 million people. Chinese and English are the official languages. Cantonese is most widely spoken whilst most people in the service industry speak English.

Climate

Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with distinct seasonal changes. Temperature in December varies between 14 - 25°C, humidity 72%. For more information, please visit: www.weather.gov.hk

Currency

The currency used in Hong Kong is HK$. Foreign currency or traveler’s check can be changed to HK$ at banks. Credit cards are widely accepted in most establishments. Major banks are open from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Mon-Fri, and 9:00 am to 12:30 pm on Sat. They close on Sundays and public holidays. Automated teller machines (ATMs) can be found almost everywhere providing 24-hour cash withdrawal (HK$) facilities for Visa and MasterCard holders. The value of the Hong Kong dollar is pegged at HK$7.8 to the US dollar.

Electricity

The voltage in Hong Kong is 220 volts, 50 cycles. Plug G is used in Hong Kong as shown below:

Public Transport

The reputable Hong Kong International Airport makes Hong Kong the gateway to Asia. For general transport, taxis are plentiful and relatively cheap. In addition, Mass Transit Railway (MTR), public buses, trains, trams and ferries are also convenient and frequent.

MTR: http://www.mtr.com.hk
KMB (Public Buses): http://www.kmb.hk/
CityBus & NWFB (Public Buses): https://www.nwstbus.com.hk/

Octopus

Octopus, a kind of electronic money that is widely accepted in Hong Kong Public Transport. Each Octopus contains a built-in microchip containing all your payment information. With a simple 'touch & go' of your Octopus at a processing machine, the system automatically deducts the correct amount. There is no longer a need to carry coins. For more information, please visit:
http://www.octopuscards.com/consumer/help/faq/en/index.jsp

Visas and Passports

Visitors from most countries can enter Hong Kong without a visa for periods of seven days to six months, depending on nationality. You may check the website: http://www.immd.gov.hk for details.

More Information

For more information about Hong Kong, please visit:
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/mustknow/index.jhtml