Hong Kong Travel Tips
Climate and Weather
Hong Kong has an average temperature of about 23 degrees C. If you are coming here in the spring time, you will need to wear a sweater or coat. However, in the summer season in Hong Kong, the weather is hot and very humid. It is a season with heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. So we suggest you bring thin shirts, cotton blouses and a raincoat or umbrella. In autumn, the weather is mild but with heavy rainfalls, lasting until the end of September. So it is still necessary for you to bring your umbrella. In winter, a sweater and a coat are needed to keep you warm as the weather is dry and slightly cold. Moisturizer skin appliances are also needed.
Local Festivals and Folk Custom
Hong Kong people also celebrate traditional festivals, including Lunar New Year (The day falls between 22 January and 19 February, varying every year), Dragon Boat Festival (5th day of 5th moon of Chinese traditional calendar) and Mid-autumn Day (usually in September or October; many interesting activities are held that day in Hong Kong). Besides, they also celebrate some western festivals, such as Easter and Christmas. You can also find major expositions, car and horse races and golf tournaments are held here.
Other Odds and Ends Phone Dialing Code
Area Code: 00852
Zip code: 999077
Emergency call: 999
Complaint hotline (including taxi complaint): 86-852-2527 7177
Tourist Hotline of Hong Kong Tourism Board: 86-852-2508 1234
The Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: 86-852-2824 6111
Postal Directory Hotline: 86-852- 2921 2222
Information directory desk
1018 English 1083 Cantonese 1088 Mandarin Chinese 1013 International directory
Visa
If you want to enter Hong Kong, a valid passport is required. However, passport holders from certain countries DO NOT need a visitor's visa for short stays. For more information about Visa requirements, see Passport and Visa.
Address, Tel and Fax for China Visa Application
For overseas passport holders, if you want to travel to the Chinese Mainland, you have to apply for a Chinese visa. You can go to one of the following offices to apply a visa:
H.K. Macau Ferry Terminal Office
Shop 314-315, Shun Tak Centre, Connaught Road Central, Hongkong
Tel:86-852-2559 2991
Fax:86-852-2559 9466
Tsim Sha Tsui Branch
1/F Alpha House, 27-33 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Tel:86-852-2315 7188
Fax:86-852-2315 7292
Kowloon Station Office
Shop F1-F3, KCR Kowloon Terminus, 8 Cheong Wan Road Hunghom, Kowloon
Tel:86-852-2334 9333
Fax:86-852-2765 0007
Lo Wu Office
Lo Wu Railway Station, New Territories
Tel:86-852-2673 9070
Fax:86-852-2668 0176
Airport Service Counter
Counter A4,A5,B12, Meeters and Greeters Hall, Passenger Terminal Building, Hongkong International Airport, Lantau, Hong Kong
Tel:86-852-2261 2472
Fax:86-852-2261 0378
Airport Office
5N502 level 6 Passenger Terminal Building New Airport at Chek Lap Kok, Hongkong.
Tel:86-852-2261 2062
Fax:86-852-2261 2069
Huang Gang Service Counter
Huang Gang Immigration Hall, Shenzhen, PRC
Tel:(86-755)8339 1496(applicable during 07:30-19:00) (86-755)8375 6727(applicable during 19:00-22:00)
Guangzhou Promotional Counter
Shop N36-N38, 7/F, Timessquare, No.28, Tianhebei Road, Guangzhou, PRC
Tel:(86-20)3882 0045
Fax:(86-20)3882 1262
Visa and passport
It is necessary for you to apply for a passport , if you want to visit Hong Kong. However, if you belong to the following passport holders on short-stay visits, visa is not required:
UK passport Up to 6 months
Commonwealth country citizens Up to 3 months
US citizens, Japanese, South Africans, Germans 1 month
Note: If you are just planning a short trip from and returning to China, you will need a re-entry visa for China. Adequate funds for stay in Hong Kong and an onward ticket are required to be shown if visitors want to travel to Hong Kong. The British Consulate is at 1 Supreme Court Road, Admiralty. The American Consulate is at 26 Garden Road, Central.
Currency
The currency of Hong Kong is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD). One dollar is equal to 100 cents. At your arrival in Hong Kong, you can exchange currency just at Hong Kong airport hall and Luohu Customs (border to Chinese mainland). However, at these places, the exchange rates tend to be high, so you may just want to exchange enough money to get you into town and pay for your accommodation. There is one thing you should keep in mind--be sure to get some coins in advance if you want to take the airport bus instead of a taxi. It is very convenient for you to exchange currency in Hong Kong. And the best choices for currency exchange are Wing Lung Bank and HSBC.
Internet
Nowadays, you can find that Internet is offered in many hotels. Additionally, Cafes, shopping centers, subway stations and public library also offer you related Internet facilities for free. If you bring your own laptop, you can connect with the Internet at some emporiums or cafes. However, if you are Modem users, you should buy BT-to-RJ transformers for the BT system in Hong Kong is gradually being replaced by the RJ system.
Document
An identification certificate or document is required to carry for both Hong Kong citizens and travelers.
Work Hours of Government and Office
9a.m to 5p.m (dinner time from 1p.m to 2p.m) Monday through Friday and 9a.m to 1p.m Saturday
Work Hours of Banks
9a.m to 4p.m (no break), Monday through Friday and 9a.m to 12.30p.m Saturday
Toilet
Toilets can be found on street corners, in parks, malls and parking lots, free of charge.
Smoking
Smoking is forbidden in public transportation tools and certain public places.
Post offices
Hong Kong General Post Office: 2, Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong
Office hours: 08:00 - 18:00 (Mon. to Sat.) 09:00 - 14:00 (Sun.)
Kowloon Central Post Office: 405, Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon
Office hours: 09:30 - 18:00 (Mon. to Fri.) 09:30 - 13:00 (Sat.)
Shatin Central Post Office: 1, Sheung Wo Che Road, Shatin, New Territories
Office hours: 09:00 - 17:00 (Mon. to Fri.) 09:00 - 13:00 (Sat.)
Hospitals
Hong Kong Island:
Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade: 86-852-2576 6555
Tang Shiu Kin Hospital
Tel: 86-852-2831 6800
Address: 282, Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
Queen Mary Hospital
Tel: 86-852-2855 3111
Address: 102, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
Kowloon:
Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade: 86-852-2713 5555
Caritas Medical Centre
Tel: 86-852-2746 7911
Address: 111, Wing Hong Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon
United Christian Hospital
Tel:86-852- 2379 4000
Address: 130, Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon
New Territories:
Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade: 86-852-2639 2555
Pok Oi Hospital
Tel:86-852- 2486 8000
Address: Au Tau, Yuen Long, New Territories
Tuen Mun Hospital
Tel: 86-852-2468 5111
Address: Tsing Chung Koon Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories
Famous Universities
University of Hong Kong (http://www.hku.hk/)
Address: Pokfulam Road
Chinese University of Hong Kong (http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/v5/en/)
Address: Shatin, New Territories
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (http://www.ust.hk/en/index.html)
Address: Clear Water Bay, Kowloon
Hong Kong Polytechnic University (http://www1.polyu.edu.hk/main/main_e.php)
Address: Hung Hom, Kowloon
