About Hong Kong

 

 Climate

The climate is subtropical. Temperatures can drop below 10 degrees Celsius in winter and often exceed 31 degrees Celsius in summer. About 80 per cent of the rainfall occurs between May and September. 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.

 Currency

Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong Dollar. The Hong Kong dollar is pegged at 7.8 to the US dollar which offer a stable currency with minimal fluctuation in the exchange rate. 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).

 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

Chinese and English are the official languages. English is widely used within the Government and also by the legal, professional and business sectors.

 Transportation

Hong Kong is so compact that getting around is quick and easy.  An efficient public transport system – network of urban trains (Mass Transit Railway or MTR) and numerous routes of trams, buses, ferries and also taxi – enable visitors to explore Hong Kong conveniently and safely on their own.  Tourist MTR 1-Day Pass is tailored for tourist travel around Hong Kong.  Tourists can have any one day of unlimited rides on the MTR (except the Airport Express Line) within the ticket validity period.  For details, please visit http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/tickets/day_pass_tourist.html

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.

 Time Zone

Local Hong Kong time is eight (8) hours ahead of Universal Time Coordinated (UTC +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.

 No Sales Tax or VAT

Businesses and individuals in Hong Kong enjoy one of the most tax-friendly systems in the world.

Discover Hong Kong

For the most updated tourist information, please visit the website of the Hong Kong Tourism Board at www.discoverhongkong.com.