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.
Health and safety
Over 90% of population received 1st & 2nd dose of vaccination while over 65% of population received 3rd dose of vaccination.
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.
Hong Kong International Airport
For the information of the Hong Kong International Airport, please visit their website at www.hongkongairport.com .
To and From the Airport
Airport Express
The Airport Express is the fastest way to get between the city and the airport. It takes passengers to and from the Hong Kong Station in about 24 minutes. Train services are provided daily between 05:54 and 00:48 and at 10-minute intervals. Train tickets can be purchased at the Airport Express Customer Service Centre located in the Arrivals Hall of the Hong Kong International Airport.
For details. Please visit http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/airport_express_index_tourist.html.
Taxi
Taxis offer a flexible way to and from the airport. Arriving passengers can pick up a taxi at the Taxi Station outside the Arrivals Hall. Taxis in Hong Kong are colour-coded according to their operating areas. Urban taxis are red. The current rates are HKD27 on flag fall for the first 2 kilometres plus HKD1.9 every further 0.2 kilometre. The charge will be changed to HKD1.3 per 0.2 kilometre after the chargeable amount has reached HKD93.5. Additional charges for luggage and tolls apply.
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.
