HONG KONG PRACTICALITIES

Key Facts & Figures

Area: 1,037 sq km / 415 sq miles

Population: 6,900,000

Passport/Visa requirements

Passport valid for at least six months after the period of intended visit. Nationals of most countries (including the UK) are not required to obtain visas and can stay for periods varying from seven days to 180 days, depending on nationality. Check with any Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest status.

Time

Hong Kong is 8 hours behind the UK (7 hours in the Summer)

Money

Cash/Currency - The basic unit of currency in the colony is the Hong Kong dollar, which is divided into 100 cents. Three local banks, the HongKong and Shanghai Banking Coropration, Bank of China and the Standard Chartered Bank, issue versions of their own notes in denominations of HK$10, HK$20, HK$50, HK$100, HK$500 and HK$1000.

Geography

Hong Kong consists primarily of Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island, Kowloon Penninsula and the New Territories plus well as some 260 other islands. The Kowloon Peninsula is attached to the New Territories to the north, and the New Territories spans northwards eventually connecting with mainland China across the Sham Chun River (Shenzhen River). While Lantau is the largest island, Hong Kong Island is the second largest and the most populated.

Climate

Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate, with hot, humid summers and cool, dry winters. Winter are from January to March, the coldest month being February, when the temperature averages 61°F (16°C) and the city gets cooled by strong, cold winds that blow in from the north. In summer the wind blows from the south, bringing in warm, humid air and a rainy season that extends from spring through summer. Temperatures in summer climb to a maximum of around 82°F (28°C) and Typhoons are possible during both the spring and autumn months.

Brief History

Great Britain first took control of Hong Kong during the nineteenth century Opium Wars with China. Following the First Opium War the treaty of Nanjing was signed. This give Britain full control of Hong Kong forever. Following additional conflicts, additional land was ceded to Britain and the 1898 treaty called for a 99-year lease of the new territory. On July 1, that 99-year lease expires and Hong Kong reverts to Chinese control and an official name change to Xianggang.

Hong Kong's port made it a prized possession of the British Empire and helped contribute to the territory's success in the Pacific Rim. After the Communist victory of 1949 in China, Hong Kong began changing from a minor port to a major economic power in the global economy. A 1950 United Nations embargo on trade with China kept Hong Kong from continuing trade with their main partner. Hong Kong had a large base of human resources but no natural resources. They turned this to their advantage by importing raw materials, building factories, and began exporting finished goods such as textiles, clothing, electronics, plastics, toys, and watches and clocks. Now Hong Kong is one of the most productive and wealthy areas of Southeast Asia.

Language

Cantonese, the official Chinese language in Hong Kong, is spoken by most of the population. English, also an official language, is widely understood and is spoken by more than one-third of the population.

Health

Visitors to Hong Kong are typically advised to make sure they are up to date with their Diphtheria and Tetanus, Rabies, Hepatitus A and Typhoid.

Food and Drink

Hong Kong, popularly known as the 'Gourmet Paradise', is home to a wide range of international cuisines. The cuisine of Hong Kong is a delicious mix of eastern and western food. Rice is the staple dish. Some of the popular dishes include poon choi, peking duck, and tofu pudding.

Tipping

A 10% service charge is usually added to restaurant bills, but waiters will still expect some loose change in addition to this. If no service charge is included, a 10% tip is expected. Taxi fares are rounded up to the nearest dollar (usually automatically by the driver).

Special Events

There are many more festivals and events that take place in but this is a short list of the main ones.

January 1 New Years Day

Jan/Feb 3 days' holiday for Chinese New Year

Mar/Apr Easter (holidays on Good Friday, Easter Saurday and Easter Monday)

April Ching Ming Festival

May Labour Day

June Dragon Boat Festival

July 1 HKSAR Establishment Day

September Mid Autumn Festival

October 1 Chinese National Day

December 22 Winter Solstice

December 25 and 26 Christmas

Communications

The international access code for Hong Kong is +852. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Mobile phones can also be rented on arrival at the international airport. Internet cafes are widely available, and access is free at many coffee shops, shopping malls, MRT stations and public libraries in town.

What to Pack

Of course, what you need to pack depends on what you plan to do in Hong Kong. Swimwear for the beaches, sensible shoes for pounding the sightseeing beat and smart casual wear for dinner are suggested. Formal suits are the norm for those visiting on business. Those planning on trawling the designer shopping malls and colourful night markets are advised to leave plenty of room in the suitcase - Hong Kong is a shopper's paradise.

Electricity

The standard electrical voltage in HK is 220 volts AC, 50HZ, so 100-volt appliances and electrical equipment require an adaptor. Most electric sockets in Hong Kong take a three-pronged plug. Inexpensive adaptors are available in Hong Kong.