About Hong Kong
Description of Hong Kong
- Situated on China's south coast and, enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, Hong Kong is known for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour. As a destination, Hong Kong offers travellers the opportunity to experience a vibrant living culture featuring a unique blend of East and West.
- Instilled with the exciting duality of a modern city's vitality enhanced by a traditional society's historical richness and colour, the cultural fusion and diversity of the city is evident in everything from its shopping, dining, arts, history, entertainment, nightlife, festivals and events. Hong Kong is also blessed with a striking natural beauty, from its iconic harbour to the stunning mountain views, idyllic islands and serene beaches of its great outdoors.
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 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 travelling 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 travelling.
Airport Transfer
- Airport Express Line (AEL)
This high-speed rail service takes passengers to and from the Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong Station in Central in about 23 minutes. Train services are provided daily between 6am and 1am at 12-minute intervals. Train tickets can be purchased at the Airport Express Customer Service Center located at the Arrival Hall. Taxi is recommended for direct transfer from the Hong Kong Station to Hotels.
Time Zone
- Hong Kong is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
Climate
- Hong Kong has subtropical climate. In October, there are pleasant breezes, plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures. Many people regard these as the best months of the year to visit Hong Kong. The average temperature is around 19oC to 28oC. Most of the premises in Hong Kong are air-conditioned. You may consider bringing along a coat for staying indoor. For most up-to-date weather information, please visit the Hong Kong Observatory at http://www.hko.gov.hk/.
Language
- Cantonese is spoken by over 88% of the people in Hong Kong. However, English, as another official language in Hong Kong, is also widely used in the city, and most of the taxi drivers and salespersons are able to communicate in English.
Currency
- The Hong Kong Dollar (HK$) is the official currency of Hong Kong. Most foreign currencies and traveller’s cheques can be exchanged at the airport, hotels, banks or exchange offices. There are no restrictions on the type or amount of money that can be brought into or taken out of Hong Kong.
Banks and Automatic Teller Machines (ATM)
- The most commonly used international credit cards in Hong Kong are VISA, MasterCard and American Express. Major banks are open from 9am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12:30pm on Saturday, closing on Sundays and public holidays. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) can be found almost everywhere and provide 24-hour cash withdrawal (HK$).
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 as is found in the United Kingdom.
Useful links
- Hong Kong Tourism Board
- Hong Kong Immigration Department (Visa Entry Requirement)
- Hong Kong International Airport
- Hong Kong Observatory
