HONG KONG GUIDE HONG KONG GUIDE HONG KONG GUIDE Hong Kong is one of the most important finan- Essential Information Money 4 cial and business centers in the world. At the same time, administratively it belongs to the Communication 5 People's Republic of China. It is a busy me- tropolis, a maze of skyscrapers, narrow streets, Holidays 6 department stores and neon signs and a pop- ulation of more than 7 million, making it one Transportation 7 of the most densely populated areas in the world. On the other hand, more than 40% of Food 11 its area is protected as country parks and na- ture reserves where rough coasts, untouched Events During The Year 12 beaches and deep woods still exist. Things to do 13 Hong Kong is a bridge between east and west – it’s a city where cars drive on the left, where DOs and DO NOTs 14 British colonial cuisine is embedded in the very fabric of the city, and every sign is in English, Activities 19 too. But at the same time, the street life is distinctively Chinese, with its herbal tea shops, . snake soup restaurants, and stalls with dried Chinese medicines. You will encounter rem- nants of the “old Hong Kong” with its shabby Emergency Contacts diners and run-down residential districts situ- ated right next to glitzy clubs and huge depart- General emergency number: 999 ment stores. Police hotline: +852 2527 7177 Hong Kong is a fascinating place that will take Weather hotline (Hong Kong Observatory): hold of your heart at your first visit. Venture +852 1878 200 beyond the main tourist sights (as fascinating as they are) and dare to discover the subtle and ambiguous world hiding under Hong Kong’s marketed image as a world city. Time Zone HKT (UTC/GMT +8 hours). No daylight saving time. Contacts Tourist Contacts Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Hotline +852 2508 1234 Hong Kong International Airport +1 2181 8888 2 3 MONEY COMMUNICATION 1 Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) = 100 cents. seum Pass at the first museum you visit – for only Electricity CNNGO – lots of informative articles from the 30 HKD you get unlimited access to all the ma- The standard electricity supply is 220V/50Hz and insiders (www.cnngo.com) Hong Kong has no currency controls – you can jor museums. Alternatively, you can visit them on the sockets are the typical British ones: type G Hong Kong Observatory – don’t forget to check take in and out as much cash as you like. The Wednesday, when there is no entrance fee. with three square pins. Don’t forget to bring an the weather reports regularly (www.hko.gov. most convenient way is to withdraw money from Meal, inexpensive restaurant – 40 HKD adaptor with you. If you’re coming from the US hk) the ubiquitous ATMs. The best exchange deals Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant, three-course your should check the voltage on your devices can be found at the banks, although some of – 360 HKD and appliances before plugging them in to be them charge a commission fee. There are also Combo Meal at McDonalds or similar – 30 HKD sure they are compatible. You may need a power exchange offices in the MTR stations. If possible, Bottle of water at supermarket – 7 HKD converter. avoid exchanging money in hotels, at the airport Beer (0.5l can at 7-Eleven) – 16 HKD or with unlicensed exchange stalls in the Tsim Souvenir t-shirt – 30 HKD Languages Sha Tsui and Mong Kok areas. If you exchange Gasoline (1 liter) – 16 HKD The official languages in Hong Kong are Chinese large amounts of money, try to negotiate a better Hostels (average price/night) – 350 HKD and English, but the most widely spoken language rate. 4* hotel (average price/night) – 1100 HKD is Cantonese. It is a very difficult language but if Car-hire (medium-sized car/day) – 800 HKD you learn a few basic words, your effort will al- Using credit cards is very common in Hong Kong. At the street and wet markets, prices are always ways be appreciated. Thanks to its colonial her- All major cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Diners subject to negotiation. Never show too much in- itage, English is very widely spoken and you can Club, JCB) are widely accepted. terest in the item you want and always decide for easily get by with it – even the signs are in Eng- yourself how much you want to pay in advance lish. Tax Refunds – and state a much lower price. You can also try There is no VAT in Hong Kong and therefore, no walking away or saying that you’ve seen it else- Mobile Phones where for a better price. tourist refunds. All of Hong Kong except for the mountains is cov- ered by the standard mobile network (GSM/GPRS/3G). When buying vegetables or meat, you can usu- Prices Visitors from North America might want to check ally get a better price (and fresher products) at When compared to the mainland or other Asian compatibility. You might also consider purchas- the wet markets than in the supermarkets. The cities, Hong Kong is quite expensive. The prices ing a 100 HKD prepaid card as the charges are supermarket prices also vary considerably from vary, though. While accommodation is extremely very low. chain to chain. Park’n’shop and Wellcome are expensive, meals and entrance tickets can come the cheapest ones, while CitySuper and Taste are quite cheap if you watch your budget. There is no more upmarket. Internet sales tax/VAT in Hong Kong, making it a perfect Internet is widely available at the hostels / hostels destination for purchasing expensive and luxury for a small surcharge. There are also free inter- items, be it electronics, cosmetics or watches. Tipping net kiosks in the MTR stations or malls, and free However, it’s always a good idea to know how Tipping is not customary in Hong Kong – the lo- hotspots in fast food chains (for example McDon- much these items cost back home – what might cals don’t tip. If you feel like it, it’s enough to sim- alds offers 20 minutes of Internet connection for look like a great deal doesn’t always turn out to ply round the price up. You might also tip the ho- free). be. tel porter 10 HKD per bag. The more expensive restaurants charge a service fee automatically. Internet Resources If you plan to visit more than one or two muse- Hong Kong Tourist Website (www.discoverhongkong. ums during your stay, purchase the Weekly Mu- com) 4 5 HOLIDAYS TRANSPORTATION January 1 – New Year's Day Public Transportation companies and the exact fares and schedules can Chinese New Year – Chinese calendar, first to Mass Transit Railway (MTR) (www.mtr.com.hk) be found on their websites. At smaller stops, you third day of the first moon. – very convenient underground and suburban rail need to signal with your hand to stop the bus Good Friday network and the most common means of trans- and press the signal button prior the stop where Easter Monday port in Hong Kong. It consists of five underground you want to get off. The light buses are green, April 5 – Ching Ming Festival lines, three lines connecting the centre with the van-sized and carry up to 16 passengers. Taking May 1 – Labour Day New Territories (the East Rail Line will take you them is a little bit of challenge as their routes are Buddha's Birthday – Chinese calendar, eighth to the very border with China – Lo Wu and Lok not very well signposted and you need to hail day of the fourth moon. Ma Chau stops) and Airport Express line depart- them and tell the driver where you are going. The Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng Festival) – Chi- ing from Central. driving style is quite crazy, too – always wear a nese calendar, fifth day of the fifth moon. seatbelt if available. July 1 – Hong Kong Special Administrative Re- Trams – there are two distinctive tram systems. KMB (www.kmb.hk) gion Establishment Day One, called Light Rail, is a modern network oper- CityBus (www.nwstbus.com.hk) Mid-Autumn Festival – Chinese calendar, six- ating in the New Territories. On the Island, there New Lantao Bus (www.newlantaobus.com) teenth day of the eighth moon. are unique narrow double-decker trams running Ferry – the main lines are operated by Star Ferry. October 1 – National Day along the coast. They are somewhat of a histor- Despite not being the most efficient means of Chung Yeung Festival – Chinese calendar, ical relic – there’s no air conditioning and they transport, you should not miss the ferry ride be- ninth day of the ninth moon tend to be slow. At the same time, no tourist tween Tsim Sha Tsui and Central – the views of December 25 – Christmas Day should miss out a ride – the tram from Central to the skyline are just incredible. The ferries con- December 26 – Boxing Day Kennedy Town will take you into the Hong Kong nect Kowloon and the Island with the outlying Offices are closed during the above stated holi- streets and you can get an overview of the less islands. The system is easy to understand, there days. Nevertheless, the majority of the shops re- touristy side of the island in 30 minutes. Get on are schedules posted at the stops. Note that main open except for the Chinese New Year – the at the back entrance and pay the exact flat fare there are fast and slow ferries and the fares are most important holiday.