Pre Departure Guide HONG KONG
Hong Kong at a Glance ABOUT THE COUNTRY The bustling metropolis of Hong Kong is equal parts an urban wonder and historic icon. Bursting with energy and rich in cultural diversity, Hong Kong is an incredible destination for travellers in search of Asia s best cities. CHINA HONG KONG FACTS Population: 7.22 million People: Chinese (95% of population) & other groups (5%) Language: Cantonese and English Currency: Hong Kong Dollar Time Zone: UTC +8 International Dialing Code: +852
General Information PASSPORT & VISA Passport should be valid for six months from the date of entry into Hong Kong. Australian, United Kingdom, Canadian and United States passport holders do not require visas and can stay for a maximum of 90 days. Nationals not referred to above are advised to check with the nearest embassy for more detailed visa requirements. CURRENCY The official currency in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong dollar. Major credit cards including American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. ATMs are widely distributed throughout the city with English instructions, so cash withdrawal can be easily made. There is no GST charged in Hong Kong. Hotels and restaurants charge a 10% service fee. PHONES & INTERNET SERVICES Telephone connection is widely available. Hong Kong prepaid SIM cards are available for you to buy, however, you will need to unlock your phone to be able to use it. Mobile telephone companies offer different internet packages, which are available from monthly subscriptions to charges according to usage. Free WiFi access is available throughout Hong Kong, in hotels and at the airport. Emergency Number: 999 for Police, Fire and Ambulance service Mobile Networks: GSM 900, PCS 1800, CDMA and WCDMA operate in Hong Kong.
General Information TRAFFIC & TRANS- PORTATION Taxis are a convenient way to get around and offer reasonable prices. Most taxi drivers can speak a little English. However, it is advisable to have tourist attractions written in Chinese characters. Tipping is not expected but you can always round up to the nearest dollar. Also, the MTR network is considerably developed with modern subway trains and light rails which offers great access to most parts of the city. Finally, if you want to enjoy great scenery outside the window in downtown Hong Kong Island, you are recommended to take a tram. WEATHER Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with four distinguishable seasons. Hong Kong s weather is warm and humid with an average temperature of about 23 C (73 F) from February to April. Fog can reduce visibility leading to disrupted air traffic and ferry services. Hong Kong experiences occasional thunderstorms from May to August. The South-Southwest monsoon can bring heavy rain with heaviest rainfall during June and August. There are occasionally tropical cyclones between July and September which come from the South China Sea. Hong Kong s Average Temperature & Rainfall Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 16 18 20 24 26 28 29 29 27 26 22 17 21 33 45 112 158 237 252 281 166 41 22 21 Temperature (C) Rainfall (mm)
Health & Safety HEALTH & WELLBEING Hong Kong has developed a highly efficient public healthcare system with well recognized quality at affordable prices. Pharmacies are widely distributed throughout the city. You should consult your doctor or local travel clinic for more updated information and advice on travelling to Hong Kong before departure. If you have a medical condition or allergy, which requires particular attention, carry a doctor s letter with you that describes the nature of the condition and treatment needed. We also recommend you pack a medical kit, including Paracetamol and a diarrhea remedy. VACCINATIONS There is no required vaccination for travelers to Hong Kong. However, you are strongly recommended to consult your doctor or country s travel clinic for up-to-date information and advice regarding appropriate inoculations including Tetanus, Diphteria, Measles, Polio, Hepatitis B, Varicella and Influenza. TRAVEL INSURANCE (RECOMMENDED) Buffalo Tours does everything possible to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trip; however, travel inevitably involves some unavoidable risk. Travel insurance is a cost effective way of protecting yourself and your equipment should any problems occur such as cancelled trips, delays, medical emergencies, baggage loss or damage. Please ensure your travel insurance covers all activities planned on your trip, so you can enjoy peace of mind during your journey.
Culture & Customs ETIQUETTE & CUTURAL DIFFERENCES Experiencing different cultures is one of the joys of travelling, and it is important that these differences are respected. Knowing a few important customs of Hong Kong people will help make your visit more enjoyable: DO: Leave some food in the bowl after you have finished eating. Offer a light handshake upon meeting someone. DON T: Point with your index finger. Place your chopsticks across the top of your bowl. Smoke in public places including beaches and parks since smoking is banned in public places. Go nude bathing since public nudity is illegal. FOOD & DRINK In Hong Kong, you re expected to find countless choices of authentic foods from all regions of China including Cantonese, Hakka, Shanghai and Szechuan. You will be amazed with the range of unique flavors and cooking styles: Cantonese cuisine is the culinary style of Guangdong Province with a tender and slightly sweet taste which serves a lot of popular dishes such as dim sum, beef with oyster sauce and soy sauce chicken. Hakka food is typified by simple cooking technique with a salty and strong taste. One of the popular dishes is baked chicken in salt. Szechuan cuisine serves dishes with hot and spicy flavor. Barbecued meat is one the famous dishes that you may want to try. It is notable that tap water is not drinkable. Bottled water is cheap and widely available.
Culture & Customs PUBLIC HOLIDAYS Chinese New Year: 1st day to 3rd day of the 1st Lunar month. Ching Ming festival: During the third Lunar month. Labour Day: May 1. Dragon boat festival: 5th of the 5th Lunar month. Mid-autumn day: 15th day of the eighth Lunar month. National Day: October 1. Good Friday & Easter Monday: Mar 25-28. Birthday of the Buddha: 8th day of the fourth Lunar month. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day: July 1. Chung Yeung Festival: 9th day of the ninth Lunar month. Christmas: Dec 25 and 26.
Helpful Tips TIPPING Tipping is uncommon in Hong Kong, except for exceptional services. Since it is a personal matter and travellers are encouraged to tip any amount they feel is appropriate. For your convenience, we have included a suggested tipping guide below: Guides: $10 per day, per person (depending on the length of your trip and your perception of service quality) Drivers: $5 per day, per person. Taxis: tipping is not expected but you can always round up the fair. Bellhops: $1 per bag. Chambermaids: $2 per night. Restaurants: In luxurious restaurants, you may find that the tip is already included in the bill under service charge. In local restaurants, tips are not expected. PRICE GUIDE Bottled water (1.5l): 13.05 HKD. Beer (0.5l): 15 HKD (from a grocery store), 55 HKD (from a pub). Soft drinks (2l): 15 HKD. Street food: around 30 HKD. Restaurant: under 250 HKD (at a cheap restaurant), 250 500 HKD (at a moderate restaurant) and over 500 HKD (at an expensive restaurant). Sim card: 69-118 HKD.
Pre-Departure Checklist Travel documents: passport, visa (if required), travel insurance Photocopy of main passport pages, visa (if required) All relevant tickets Foreign currency (US$) and/or ATM card Money belt and small padlocks Medication First aid kit Small daypack (for day and overnight trips) Wind and waterproof jacket Umbrella Comfortable and sturdy walking shoes Sunscreen, lip balm, sunhat and sunglasses Electrical adapter plug Insect repellent Refillable water bottle BUFFALO TOURS IN HONG KONG Room 1604, 16th Floor, Kwai Hung Holdings Centre 89 Kings Road, North Point, Hong Kong Phone: +852-2117-2147 Fax: +852-2117-3948 Email: hongkong@buffalotours.com