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About Hong Kong |
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Located at the heart of Asia, Hong Kong is a highly accessible city. There are around 95 airlines servicing more than 155 destinations worldwide, with over 800 aircraft movements every day. The state-of-the-art Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok of Lantau Island operates 24 hours a day. For more information about Hong Kong International Airport, please visit www.hongkongairport.com. Visitors must hold a valid passport, endorsed where necessary for Hong Kong. Hong Kong has a liberal visa policy, allowing visa-free entry to nationals of more than 170 countries and territories. For country-specific visa information, please visit http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm. For delegates from countries for which visas are required for entry to Hong Kong, please check with the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your country. For delegates traveling to other cities in China, an entry visa to China is required. Please obtain your visa from the Chinese Embassy or Consulate within your current place of residence. The travel documents must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of traveling. Generally, offices of commercial establishments and Government departments open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays. Some open on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. Major banks open from 9am to 4:30pm on weekdays and 9am to 12:30pm on Saturdays. Most shops and department stores open daily from 10am to 9pm, while 24-hour convenience shops are located all over the city. There is no sales tax on goods and services in Hong Kong. Hotels and restaurants usually add 10% service charge to their bills. Tipping may be appropriate when a service charge is not included. Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate with seasonal changes. During November, there are usually pleasant breezes, plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures from 18oC - 25oC and humidity near 60%. Go to www.hko.gov.hk for weather forecast before deciding what to pack. Local Hong Kong time is eight (8) hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC +08). The Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) is the currency unit used in Hong Kong. USD1.00 is approximately HKD7.70. Most foreign currencies and traveller’s cheques can be changed at banks, hotels and moneychangers. There are no restrictions on the type or amount of money that can be brought into or taken out of Hong Kong. All major credit cards are widely accepted in Hong Kong and can be used to obtain cash advances at banks and automatic teller machines (ATMs). ATMs can be found almost everywhere and provide 24-hour cash withdrawals (HK$). Both Chinese and English are official languages. Cantonese is the most widely spoken Chinese dialect in Hong Kong. Most signs are in both English and Chinese.
Hong Kong is so compact that getting around is quick and easy. An efficient public transport system – networks of urban underground trains (MTR), numerous routes of trams, buses and ferries – enable visitors to explore Hong Kong conveniently and safely on their own. An octopus card which will allow travel on all forms of public transport (including the Star Ferry and Trams) can be purchased at MTR Service Centre. International direct dialing, internet and e-mail facilities are easily accessible in Hong Kong. Most of the mobile telephone systems used around the globe operate in Hong Kong. Local SIM Cards can be purchased at convenience stores. Delegates wishing to use their mobile/cell phone should ensure that International Roaming is enabled on their phone. Alternatively you can purchase a prepaid Discover Hong Kong Tourist SIM Card from the Airport. Just plug in and go – no subscription charges, no top-up, no hassle! For further information please click here. For the most updated tourist information, please visit the website of the Hong Kong Tourism Board at www.discoverhongkong.com. Hong Kong International Airport: http://www.hongkongairport.com/
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The standard voltage in Hong Kong is 220 volts AC/50 cycles. The plug/socket system in Hong Kong is a 3-rectangular-pin type.