HONG KONG COUNTRY OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION

Electric, eclectic, energizing, nonstop, traditional, cosmopolitan, international; there are so many words to describe Kong, one simply has to visit to experience it all. was a British colony from the mid-19th century until 1997 when resumed sovereignty. The city now operates as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) under China’s ‘one country – two rule system.’ A haven for consumerists, Hong Kong offers some of the best shopping anywhere in the world. The infrastructure is modern and developed which makes getting around easy. On top of that, because of the city’s long history with the western world, English is spoken everywhere making Hong Kong a relatively easy destination to visit compared to other parts of China.

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ABOUT HONG KONG

LANDSCAPE Hong Kong is located at the delta of the on China’s Southeast coast. The city is made up of , and several areas on the peninsula known as and the . In total, the land area is over 1100 km2.

CLIMATE Hong Kong enjoys a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and relatively mild winters. It is most likely to rain during the summer months (June, July, August) and this is, therefore, the low travel season. The most popular seasons to visit are Spring with mild temperatures and only occasional rain and autumn which is usually sunny and dry.

PEOPLE There are approximately 7.3 million people living in Hong Kong, 95% of whom are of Chinese descent (Mainly Canton people). The remaining 5% is a mix of mainly other Asian populations who have migrated to Hong Kong over the decades including Indians, Nepalese and Vietnamese.

RELIGION While difficult to measure due to lack of official data, most observers agree that roughly 50% - 80% of the population practice some form of Buddhism while another 30% or so practice Taoism. There is some overlap however with many Hong Kong people practicing certain aspects of several religions including Chinese folk religions.

HISTORY Hong Kong was ceded to Great Britain after the first opium war in 1841 and remained under British control until 1997 when it was returned to China. As part of the handover, Hong Kong became China's first special administrative region and has maintained its own leadership until today (while still officially under Beijing’s control).

TIME ZONES Hong Kong operates on Greenwich meantime +8 hours. Hong Kong does not observe daylight savings time.

COUNTRY CODE Hong Kong’s country code is + 852

MOBILE PHONES Hong Kong has local operators for both CDMA and GSM networks so most roamers will be able to get a signal easily. It is also relatively straight forward to buy a local SIM card if your phone is capable to handle it. Please be aware of roaming charges according to your plan.

INTERNET Many hotels have wireless (Wi-Fi) internet access available in the lobby or business centre. There are many internet cafes in every major city. Be careful to not save your password or sensitive information on public computer terminals.

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ELECTRICITY Hong Kong has an electricity supply of 220 volts. For the most part, there are two types of electrical sockets (outlets) used in Hong Kong: ‘three round pins arranged in a triangle’ and ‘two parallel flat pins with a ground pin’. Three-pin plug adaptors are usually provided by hotels if you do not have your own; just ask the reception. In all countries protect sensitive electronic equipment like laptops from power fluctuations by using a surge-protector.

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CITY HIGHLIGHTS

HONG KONG ISLAND Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Central area on the island is the historical, political and economic centre of Hong Kong. The northern coast of the island forms the southern shore of the Victoria Harbour, which is largely responsible for the development of Hong Kong due to its deep waters favoured by large trade ships. The island is home to many of the most famous sights in Hong Kong, such as "The Peak", Ocean Park, many historical sites and large shopping centres. The mountain ranges across the island are also famous for hiking. The northern part of Hong Kong Island together with Kowloon forms the core urban area of Hong Kong. The island is often referred to locally as "Hong Kong side" or "Island side". This style was formerly applied to many locations (e.g. 'China-side' or even '-side') but is now only heard in this form and 'Kowloon side', suggesting the two sides of the harbour.

KOWLOON Kowloon is an urban area in Hong Kong comprising the and . It is bordered by the Lei Yue Mun strait in the east, Mei Foo Sun Chuen and Stonecutter's Island in the west, the mountain range including Tate's Cairn and Lion Rock in the north, and Victoria Harbour in the south. Kowloon is located north of Hong Kong Island and south of the mainland part of the New Territories.

NEW TERRITORIES New Territories (abbreviated to NT) is one of the three main regions of Hong Kong, alongside Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. It makes up over 80% of Hong Kong's territory. According to The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory, the territories comprise the mainland area north of the Boundary Street of Kowloon Peninsula and south of the Sham Chun River which is the border between Hong Kong and Mainland China, as well as over 200 outlying Islands including Island, , , and in the territory of Hong Kong.

LANTAU ISLAND is the largest island in Hong Kong, located at the mouth of the Pearl River. Administratively, most of Lantau Island is part of the of Hong Kong. A small north-eastern portion of the island is located in the District. Originally the site of fishing villages, the island has been developed in recent years with the construction of New Town on its north-western coast and the completion of several major infrastructure projects, including (1997), Hong Kong International Airport (1998), (2005) and 360 (2006).

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VEHICLES

Vehicles in Hong Kong are comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles. Please note that seatbelts are compulsory by law.

EATING & DRINKING

Food is an important element of Hong Kong’s culture and much has been written about the subject. Meals in Hong Kong are meant to be shared and normally dishes are served in various styles and brought out to the table family style. Each individual place setting will consist of a bowl of rice, a pair of chopsticks or cutlery, a flat bottomed soup spoon and a saucer. You may server yourself from the communal dishes in the centre of the table or in some restaurants the staff will serve it for you

SHOPPING

Shopping in Hong Kong ranges from an exciting time bargaining for copied goods in the markets to shopping in high street shops in SoHo. In terms of shopping, Hong Kong is perhaps most well-known for the abundance of counterfeit goods and reproduced antiques. It is essential to remember that the authenticity and value of goods are always questionable. If the price seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Join in the fun at the local markets by bargaining with the vendors. This type of transaction is typical in the market setting and great way for travellers to feel like a local. Tour guides are able to share tips and trick for finding good deals with visitors, like teaching them how to check prices of the same items in the neighbourhood before reaching a deal, especially for more expensive items. If you are being followed by street vendors and do not wish to make a purchase, often the best course of action is to say “no” firmly and politely and continue on your way. Do not hesitate or linger, as this will encourage the seller to try and engage you further. If you choose to ship items home, we highly recommend that you buy shipping insurance and check the policy details. As shops are not responsible for damages incurred en route, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Trails of Indochina and the guide cannot accept responsibility for any misrepresented or faulty goods. We do not take responsibility for following up on merchandise that you choose to ship home. Our guides only make suggestions, not guarantees.

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CULTURAL ETIQUETTE

 Always ask before taking photos of local people. If someone says no, please respect their wishes.  Keeping an arm’s length of personal space is the norm.  Touching during conversations is limited; this is especially the case for the opposite sex.  When visiting pagodas and temples, your knees and shoulders must be covered.  Public displays of affection between men and women may embarrass your host. On the other hand, it’s perfectly normal for a pair of men or a pair of women to link arms or hold hands. Beckoning someone with the palm upwards is considered rude. The correct way to call someone over is to extend your hand with the palm downward and flap your fingers towards your wrist. To ask for the bill in a restaurant or shop, extend one hand in front of you with the palm raised and pretend to write on your palm with the other hand

SAFETY TIPS

In general, Hong Kong is extremely safe for travellers, although petty theft does happen once in a while. Where possible, secure your valuables in the hotel safe. Remember to record your credit card information and emergency phone numbers — just in case.  Have a photocopy of the personal information section of your passport and the visa page, and keep it separate from your passport. This makes getting a replacement much easier if your passport is lost or stolen.  Carry a list of emergency contact numbers with you and fill out the emergency contact information section in your passport (if there is one).  Avoid carrying large sums of money.  Do not carry your wallet or mobile phone in the back pocket of your pants or anywhere else that’s easily reached (like an outer zip-up compartment on a backpack). Be especially vigilant in markets and other crowded places like ports and train stations.  Use common sense and don’t walk alone after dark. If confronted by a mugger, do not resist. You’re always better off taking a taxi at night; ask your hotel or restaurant to arrange.  If you choose to ride a motorcycle or bicycle, wear a helmet.

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PACKING

PACKING ESSENTIALS What you take will naturally depend upon where you are traveling, and it can often be difficult to decide what to pack, nevertheless, the following should act as a useful checklist of essential items worth thinking about taking. o Passport – Ensure that it is valid and in good condition with empty pages available. Make a photocopy as well o Insurance – Ensure that it will be valid for the whole journey o Passport Photos – Will invariably be needed for identification passes and certain overseas visas o Emergency contact numbers: Trails of Indochina, Insurance company, friends and family. o Debit/credit card cancellation numbers o Air tickets and Itinerary o Money belt – Ensure that it is discrete and comfortable to wear o First Aid kit - Basic travel kit to cover basic mishaps which may occur along the way o Personal Medication –with international doctors’ note to ensure easy passage of medication across international borders o Sun block – High UVA protection ideally o Sunglasses and sunhat o Comfortable walking shoes o Mosquito spray and insect repellent o Long sleeve top and trousers – Useful to protect against mosquitoes at dawn and dusk and the sun through the day o Camera and battery o Security code pad lock o A small amount of currency in USD small notes o Umbrella

CLOTHING The time of year you come to Hong Kong will determine what clothes you should pack. However, assuming you travel during the peak season, the weather will be generally warm. It is therefore advisable to bring comfortable lightweight, loose fitting, cotton clothing and long-sleeved items for protection from the sun. A jacket may be needed in the evening or in hotels or restaurants using excessive air-conditioning. A hat and high-factor sun block are advisable for protection against the hot sun when sightseeing. T-shirts/ Polos and knee length shorts are acceptable for visiting most sites including temples or pagodas. You will do a lot of walking - be sure to bring comfortable and supportive walking shoes.

TOILETRIES & MEDICATION While imported beauty products are available in Hong Kong, you are advised to pack staples like sunscreen, contact lens solution, tampons and mosquito repellent. It is advised that your prescription medication is in its original box with the label along with the prescription to avoid any complications that may arise at Customs.

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TRAVEL DOCUMENTS You should bring a money-belt to safely carry your travel documents and cash, and ensure that your luggage has a lock. Bring photo-copies of your passport and visa, plus some extra passport-sized photos if you’re applying for on-arrival visas. When flying into Hong Kong, you will probably be given baggage claim tags (they will be stuck to the back of your ticket). Keep these, as you will need to show them when leaving the airport

CONTACT US

If you have any questions or encounter any problems please contact us immediately at our Hong Kong office so we can provide an immediate solution.

Trails of Indochina – Hong Kong Room 906. South Seas Centre, Tower #2 75 Mody Road, Tsimshatsui East Kowloon, Hong Kong

Tel: (852) 2368 5009 Fax: (852) 2368 9633 Emergency Number: (852) 9025 6255 www.trailsofindochina.com

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