DLA PIPER’S GUIDE TO HONG KONG CONTENTS WELCOME TO HONG KONG 3 PLANNING YOUR JOURNEY TO HONG KONG 4 THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU ARRIVE 5 GETTING AROUND HONG KONG 6 PLACES TO MEET AND GREET 7 WINING AND DINING 8 THE BEST OF HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON 10 OFF THE BEATEN TRACK – HIKING 12 ISLAND HOPPING 13 FURTHER AFIELD 14 2 DLA Piper’s Guide to Hong Kong WELCOME TO HONG KONG Steeped in history and rich in culture, Hong Kong is where East truly meets West. The result... one of the most unique, vibrant, dynamic and diverse places on earth! Hong Kong is a city of contrasts. To some, With information regarding travel, dining Hong Kong means commerce, sky scrapers, options, meeting locations, things to see and designer brands, fine restaurants and the do and details regarding DLA Piper’s office general glitz and glamour that comes with location, we hope this guide helps you get being home to more Rolls Royce® cars the most out of Hong Kong. per capita than anywhere else in the world. If there is anything that we can do To others, Hong Kong means beautiful to assist you, please contact us at countryside, wild buffalo, golden beaches and businessdevelopment.asia some of the best street food in Asia. @dlapiper.com Although it’s likely your time in Hong Kong will largely be devoted to business, attending a plethora of meetings and other events, Hong Kong is a truly fascinating place and we hope you also find some time to see the “real” Hong Kong. Kevin Chan Hong Kong Office Managing Partner T: +852 2103 0823 E: [email protected] 3 DLA Piper’s Guide to Hong Kong BACK TO CONTENTS PLANNING YOUR JOURNEY TO HONG KONG VISAS A taxi fare from the airport costs Nationals of most countries can enter approximately HK$250 (US$32) to Kowloon Hong Kong visa-free, staying for periods from and costs approximately HK$350 (US$45) seven days to 180 days. If you haven’t been to Hong Kong Island. to Hong Kong before, we recommend When returning to the airport, you may checking whether you require a visa. Details like to use the “In-town check-in” facilities of the visa application process and the list at Hong Kong and Kowloon stations. Most of countries whose nationals do not require visitors choose to do this as it means you can visas can be found here. drop off your bags at the station up to 24 hours before your flight, get your boarding LOGISTICS – GETTING FROM pass at the same time and then simply hop HONG KONG AIRPORT TO HONG on the train approximately 90 minutes KONG ISLAND OR KOWLOON before your departure time. Airport Express Whilst in Hong Kong you will likely be staying HANDY AIRPORT LINKS either on Hong Kong Island (where the main Airport information business district is located) or across the The cost of an Airport Express ticket is harbour in Kowloon. Hong Kong Airport is HK$100 (US$12) for one way and HK$180 Airport Express information one of the best airports in the world, with (US$23) return. Tickets can be purchased In-town check in information a very fast and convenient Airport Express at self-service machines or at the central train. Trains leave the airport every 10 tickets desk upon exiting the Customs Hall minutes and the train stops at both Hong at the airport. Kong Island and Kowloon, taking roughly 20 Taxi and 25 minutes from the Airport respectively. Both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Airport A taxi from the airport may well be a better Express Stations have multiple onward travel option if you wish to get to your destination connections available, the most convenient directly. However, bear in mind that it can likely being a taxi direct to your final take twice as long as the Airport Express destination. train depending on traffic. 4 DLA Piper’s Guide to Hong Kong BACK TO CONTENTS THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU ARRIVE As many taxi drivers speak limited English, Hong Kong weather is generally hot we recommend downloading the ‘Hong and humid with occasional showers and Kong Taxi’ app from either the Apple App thunderstorms, particularly during the Store or Google Play Store depending mornings. Pack clothing that is light and on which device you are using. This app. made of natural fibres if possible, such will translate any addresses you have as cotton or silk. In winter (November – into Cantonese and will also provide a February) you will need some additional handy “flash” card showing your address. layers. We suggest you also pack an Alternatively, you may wish to print the umbrella. You may wish to download the name of your hotel or destination in ‘Hong Kong Observatory’ app, which Chinese, prior to your arrival. will give you the most accurate weather information during your stay. Ensure that you book any restaurants well in advance of your arrival as popular restaurants tend to get booked up quickly. Most restaurants have English-speaking staff but, if you have any difficulties making bookings, feel free to enlist our help by emailing: businessdevelopment.asia @dlapiper.com Get some Hong Kong currency (Hong Kong dollars) and make sure you’ve alerted your bank to the fact you’ll be travelling to Hong Kong, so that all of your cards work during your stay. 5 DLA Piper’s Guide to Hong Kong BACK TO CONTENTS GETTING AROUND HONG KONG MTR GETTING TO THE DLA TAXIS PIPER OFFICE You can easily get around Hong Kong by the Hong Kong taxis are extremely cheap MTR rail service. Traffic during the day can be If you are travelling to our offices by MTR, compared to those in many other major very congested so we recommend the MTR please use Exit G at Central station. cities. Taxis in Hong Kong are colour-coded as the most reliable way to get you to your according to their operating areas, with RED If you are travelling to our offices by taxi, destination on time. Click here to view serving Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, the best place to get out at will be the the MTR map GREEN serving the New Territories and Landmark Mandarin Oriental. BLUE serving Lantau Island. You will use Tickets mostly the red taxis whose meters start You will need to either buy a ticket for Our full address is: at HK$22 (US$3) for the first 2km, and a each journey at the station or purchase DLA Piper Hong Kong further HK$1.60 (US$0.20 cents) for every an Octopus Card. An Octopus Card is a 17th Floor, Edinburgh Tower 200 metres thereafter. There are neither stored-value smartcard which can be used The Landmark extra late-night charges nor peak-hour to pay for most travel fares (ferries, trains, 15 Queen’s Road Central surcharges, but harbour crossings (Hong buses) and at various merchants including Hong Kong Kong Island to Kowloon or vice versa) incur convenience stores and supermarkets. China toll charges. Generally speaking, you can We strongly recommend purchasing an travel anywhere around the Central area of Octopus Card as this will make getting T: +852 2103 0808 Hong Kong for less than HK$50 (US$7). around much quicker and easier. Our full address in Chinese is: Basic Octopus Cards cost HK$150 香港中環皇后大道中十五號 (US$20), with HK$100 (US$13) credit 置地廣場公爵大廈十七樓 plus a HK$50 (US$7) refundable deposit. The card can be ‘topped up’ at any MTR Click here for a map Station and most convenience stores. You can purchase (and return) the Octopus Card at the customer service station at any MTR station or the Airport Express Station at the airport. 6 DLA Piper’s Guide to Hong Kong BACK TO CONTENTS PLACES TO MEET AND GREET… FOR BREAKFAST FOR COFFEE / A QUICK BITE FOR COFFEE / A QUICK BITE IN CENTRAL AND IN WAN CHAI IN CENTRAL IN WAN CHAI Oolaa Petite $-$$ Fuel $ The Coffee Academics $ Offers a good selection of options for both Perfect spot for a quick, quality coffee in Central. Earning two places in the Coffee Review’s list of breakfast and lunch, with a full breakfast menu and Fuel also serves pastries and cakes. highest rated coffees, The Coffee Academics is a lunches including salads, pizzas, pasta and burgers. Where: 3rd floor, IFC Mall (8 Finance Street, Central) great place for a coffee on-the-go. Where: Shop 12 , Regal Court, Star Street, Wan Chai. OR Basement of the Landmark (15 Queen’s Road, Where: 35-45 Johnston Road, Wan Chai FOR AFTERNOON TEA T: +852 2529 3823 Website Central) T: +852 2869 9019 (IFC) or +852 2295 T: +852 2154 1180 Website Clipper Lounge, the Mandarin 3815 (The Landmark) Website Classified $-$$ Oriental $$ Offering a good selection of traditional breakfast Caffé Habitu $ Conveniently situated at the heart of Central, this items from full English breakfast to smoked A nice choice for coffee as well as a quick bite café offers exceptional afternoon teas. Its scones salmon bagels and muesli. to eat. It offers a wide range of food including are among the best in Hong Kong! Where: G/F, 31 Wing Fung Street, Wan Chai OR sandwiches and cakes. Where: Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road, Exchange Square, 3rd fl., Shop 313, 8 Connaught Where: G/F, 10 Queen’s Road East,Wan Chai Central T: +852 2825 4005 Website Pl (Central) T: +852 2528 3454 (Wan Chai) and T: +852 2527 8999 Website The Lobby, the Peninsula $$$ +852 2147 3454 (Central) Website Cova $ Dressed Salad Bar $ Probably the most iconic hotel in Hong Kong, Marriott Café $$ A casual but smart café offering coffee, cake and A great place to grab a custom made-to-order many say that its colonial style afternoon tea is a Offering a full breakfast menu.