DISCOVER HONG KONG
WEATHER
Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with distinct seasons. Go to www.hko.gov.hk for weather forecast before deciding what to pack.
Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with distinct seasons. Go to www.hko.gov.hk for weather forecast before deciding what to pack.
PASSPORT AND VISA
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/eng/services/visas/visit-transit/visit-visa-entry-permit.html. 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.
BANK
Major banks are open from 9am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12:30pm on Saturday. They close on Sundays and public holidays.
CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARD
Most foreign currencies and traveller's cheques can be exchanged 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.
Legal tender is the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD). There are 100 cents in a dollar. Coins, issued by the government, are bronze-colored for 10 cents, 20 cents and 50 cents; silver-colored for HKD1, HKD2, HKD5, nickel and bronze for HKD10. Notes issued by HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank have denominations of HKD10, HKD20, HKD50, HKD100, HKD500 and HKD1000. The Bank of China issues all of the denominations except HKD10.
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).
EXCHANGE RATES
Since the mid-1980s, the value of the Hong Kong dollar has been pegged at HKD7.8 to the US dollar, and consequent rates of exchange to other currencies. However, the market rate exchange to the US dollar fluctuates marginally. Banks and money changers charge commission. Similarly, commissions are payable in hotels and major retail outlets which provide exchange facilities for their customers.
TRANSPORTATION
An efficient public transport system covers extension areas of Hong Kong with signs in English and Chinese. The 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 can be purchased which will allow travel on all forms of public transport (including the Star Ferry and trams).
Airport Express links between Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong's vibrant Central business hub. All the Airport Express stations include an In-town Check-in desk and regular Airport Express Shuttle Bus services. For details of train service, please visit www.mtr.com.hk
ELECTRICITY
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.
LANGUAGE
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.
TIME ZONE
Local Hong Kong time in May is eight (8) hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +08).
INTERNET ACCESS
Most hotels have internet access. You can also access the internet for free at many coffee shops, large shopping malls, major MTR stations and public libraries in town. For people bringing their laptops to Hong Kong, wireless broadband service is common at major shopping malls and coffee shops.
TIPPING
Most restaurants will levy a 10% service charge but waiters will expect to be given some loose change. Restaurants that don't add a service charge will expect a 10% tip. However, tipping is left to your discretion. Bellboys, porters, restroom attendants and taxi drivers will happily accept loose change.
DISCOVER HONG KONG
For the most updated tourist information, please visit the website of the Hong Kong Tourism Board at www.discoverhongkong.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/eng/services/visas/visit-transit/visit-visa-entry-permit.html. 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.
BANK
Major banks are open from 9am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12:30pm on Saturday. They close on Sundays and public holidays.
CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARD
Most foreign currencies and traveller's cheques can be exchanged 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.
Legal tender is the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD). There are 100 cents in a dollar. Coins, issued by the government, are bronze-colored for 10 cents, 20 cents and 50 cents; silver-colored for HKD1, HKD2, HKD5, nickel and bronze for HKD10. Notes issued by HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank have denominations of HKD10, HKD20, HKD50, HKD100, HKD500 and HKD1000. The Bank of China issues all of the denominations except HKD10.
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).
EXCHANGE RATES
Since the mid-1980s, the value of the Hong Kong dollar has been pegged at HKD7.8 to the US dollar, and consequent rates of exchange to other currencies. However, the market rate exchange to the US dollar fluctuates marginally. Banks and money changers charge commission. Similarly, commissions are payable in hotels and major retail outlets which provide exchange facilities for their customers.
TRANSPORTATION
An efficient public transport system covers extension areas of Hong Kong with signs in English and Chinese. The 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 can be purchased which will allow travel on all forms of public transport (including the Star Ferry and trams).
Airport Express links between Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong's vibrant Central business hub. All the Airport Express stations include an In-town Check-in desk and regular Airport Express Shuttle Bus services. For details of train service, please visit www.mtr.com.hk
ELECTRICITY
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.
LANGUAGE
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.
TIME ZONE
Local Hong Kong time in May is eight (8) hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +08).
INTERNET ACCESS
Most hotels have internet access. You can also access the internet for free at many coffee shops, large shopping malls, major MTR stations and public libraries in town. For people bringing their laptops to Hong Kong, wireless broadband service is common at major shopping malls and coffee shops.
TIPPING
Most restaurants will levy a 10% service charge but waiters will expect to be given some loose change. Restaurants that don't add a service charge will expect a 10% tip. However, tipping is left to your discretion. Bellboys, porters, restroom attendants and taxi drivers will happily accept loose change.
DISCOVER HONG KONG
For the most updated tourist information, please visit the website of the Hong Kong Tourism Board at www.discoverhongkong.com