Investors' Forum
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INVESTORS' FORUM HONG KONG, 19-23 SEP 2016 Hong Kong - A quick intro General information Language Cantonese, English and Mandarin Currency US$1 = HK$7.75 Time GMT/UTC +8 hours Voltage 220-240 volts AC (50Hz) Telephone Area code (852) Mobile phone GSM 900, GSM 1800, 3G/4G network Useful numbers Directory enquiries 1081 Weather 1878200 Hong Kong International Airport 21818888 Emergencies (police, fire, ambulance) 999 (toll-free) Climate Hong Kong is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is from mid- September to December. January and February can be quite cold, often dropping below 10°C (50°F). During May to September, the city tends to be hot and humid. June to August is rainy, while the typhoon season runs from April to October. Despite the subtropical climate, carry a lightweight jacket with you, as the city’s indoor air- conditioning tends to be a tad chilly. Visa Most visitors do not require a visa to enter HK and can stay between seven and 180 days depending on nationality. However, they must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the departure date. Check with your local Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest requirements. A China visa is required if you plan to visit mainland China. Transport Hong Kong boasts one of the world's most efficient public transport systems. With the exception of taxis and some public light buses, all other transport accepts the Octopus card, an electronic stored-value card, as a means of payment. You can even use it in convenience stores, supermarkets, vending machines and fast-food restaurants. Investors’ Forum Guide The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is the most popular mode of transport and operates the high-speed Airport Express link to the city as well as nine railway lines serving Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Adult fares start from HK$4 per trip, depending on the distance travelled. Passangers can travel with ease to Disneyland and across the China border at Lok Ma Chau and Lo Wu. The iconic Star Ferry, with fares of HK$2.50 (Mon-Fri) or HK$3.40 (weekends and public holidays), takes you across Victoria Harbour between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. It's a must-do for any visitor. For a scenic ride through the streets of Hong Kong, the double-decker trams, at HK$2.30 per adult, run along the north side of the island and it is a relaxing way to capture snapshots of local life, especially from the top deck. Where to wine and dine No other city in the world boasts quite as eclectic a dining scene as Hong Kong. The culinary world is aware of the endless possibilities here and internationally acclaimed chefs including Gordon Ramsey, Joel Robuchon, Jamie Oliver and Jean-Georges Vongerichten are fighting to make their mark on the vibrant dining scene. The new California Tower in the heart of Lan Kwai Fong is one of Hong Kong’s newest landmarks for lifestyle, dining and entertainment. Ciao Chow, an Italian cafeteria, features mediterranean farm-to-table artisan food, espresso, craft beers and wines. The modern Korean restaurant and bar, Jinjuu, provides a modern take on traditional Korean dishes. Craving for steaks? Visit Porterhouse by Laris for an upscale and delicious meal paired with a carefully choosen wine list. For an extraordinary experience, Mercato is led by Michelin-star Chef Jean-Georges who brings his Italian dining culinary expertise to town. Townhouse seamlessly marries Asian food with Western cooking methods. CÉ LA VI offers pleasure seekers the finest in modern Asian cuisine and is also a drinking and entertainment venue. Its rooftop features a breathtaking 180-degree view of Hong Kong’s city skyline. The Great Indian Kebab Factory on Wellington Street serves contemporary Indian food with an emphasis on kebabs. Bindaas, a newly opened Indian bar and kitchen in Aberdeen Street, offers Indian street food with a contemporary twist. Popular with Hong Kong celebrities, URA Japanese Delicacy is the latest addition to the Japanese restaurant scene. Enjoy the modern Chinese design of Tycoon Tann, renowned for its Chinese-inspired cocktails and Cantonese food served with a Western twist. Ho Lee Fook’s notable menu includes Yunnan-style wagyu steak tartare with hot and sour sauce and “mostly cabbage a little bit of pork” dumplings with sacha soy dressing. For trendy, high-end Cantonese food, try Duddell’s, Mott 32 or Bo Innovation. Long-time institutions such as The Chairman and Fook Lam Moon continue to pack in the crowds craving Chinese food. China Tang features a good mix of regional Chinese cuisine including “char siu” (roast pork made from superior kurobuta pork), crispy rice roast chicken and a wide selection of top-notch dim sum. If you like spicy flavours, head over to Qi House of Sichuan in Wanchai or private kitchen Seijie Siuchan Restaurant in Causeway Bay, both will provide you with an unforgettable dining experience. In addition to Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey has opened his second restaurant in Hong Kong, London House. British dishes are served alongside cocktails and traditional brews in a wholly British setting. Aberdeen Street Social at PMQ (short for “Police Married Quarters”) is a two-storey restaurant with the upstairs serving Jason Atherton’s famed British cuisine Investors’ Forum Guide and the downstairs a trendy bar. Amber, the fine dining restaurant at Landmark Oriental, has been No.20 on the world’s 50 best restaurants’ list for six consecutive years. Head to Seafood Room in Causeway Bay, an 8,000-square-foot seafood restaurant with a stunning harbour- view rooftop lounge. Issaya Siamese Club in Bangkok is No. 39 on Asia’s 50 best restaurants’ list and is expanding its legacy by bringing its Thai restaurant concept to Hong Kong. Last but not least, for Indonesian cuisine, head to Sai Ying Pun and visit Kaum at Potato Head, a famous hospitality and lifestyle group with a presence in Bali and Singapore. Known as having the best burgers in Hong Kong, The Butchers Club Burger boasts 100% dry-aged 300-day+ grain- fed certified Australian Angus beef patties. A close contender in the burger war is Beef and Liberty, which features lamb, vegetarian falafel and chili burgers. Enjoy the feast with one of its classic milkshakes. An Asian version of the hamburger, called “bao”, can be found at Little Bao. Mouth-watering ingredients such as pork belly, juicy chicken and fish tempura are sandwiched between soft, warm, Chinese- style buns that fit in the palm of your hand. Ham & Sherry is a Jason Atherton restaurant, which brings the essence of Spanish culture to the table and the largest Sherry list in Asia. BurgerRoom puts a spin on the classic burger and introduces a weird but wonderful set of menu options, ranging from lobster to foie gras. Go organic, green and healthy at Grassroots Pantry, a much-adored vegetarian restaurant with a farm-to-table menu served in a light and airy space. Nightlife “The city never sleeps, the bars never close and the party never stops”. Hong Kong is well known for its nightlife. Lan Kwai Fong (LKF) is the jewel in the party crown. It is a small but lively area in Central filled with bars and restaurants. This is the place where expats and yuppies hang out on weeknights and weekends. SoHo (“South of Hollywood Road”), next to LKF, is a more chic and relaxed place. Famous for its outdoor escalator, it has something to suit any taste, from Peruvian cocktails to upmarket wine selections. Although Wanchai has areas that include Ship Street and Queen’s Road East (QRE) that offer strong competition to the SoHo dining set, the district is identified more by its hostess clubs. Across the harbour head to Knutsford Terrace, Minden Avenue and Tsim Sha Tsui East where you will find a multitude of restaurants to choose from. A typical night out for party animals starts with a warm up at Play, currently the most popular clubbing spot for expat crowds in LKF. In the same building, Studio Club targets high-end clientele and offers live jazz music in the early evening and DJ lounge sets after midnight. In LKF Tower, Tazmana Ballroom combines glamour and group games in a club environment featuring pool and ping pong. It is definitely a good place to play and party hard. One block down, you'll find Club XIII, a cosy, fancy club with luxurious interior design, custom champagne from the Ace of Spade wineyard and an on-demand limousine send-home service. Other hotspots include FLY (the hottest electronic music club with a whopping LED wall), Dragon-i (known to be frequented by models, bankers and visiting celebrities) and Volar which has two separate rooms featuring commercial tunes and bass-heavy tracks. If you are not a clubber, Hong Kong has no shortage of amazing lounges and cool cocktail bars. The city's passion for investing and bargain hunting does not end just because it is the end of the working day. Wolf Market is “Asia’s stock market bar” where the prices of drinks fluctuate with their popularity. To spell it all out, there is an LED screen that runs from the bar to the ceiling, showing the real time price of a drink. Go invest in a tasty, creative cocktail. If you fancy a roof-top venue with fantastic city views, head to CÉ LA VI at California Investors’ Forum Guide Tower. NEO Cocktail Club is a cool retro hangout in Sheung Wan.