Hong Kong Basics |
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Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. UK-style three-pin plugs are standard.
Money: The Hong Kong dollar (HKD) is the unit of currency; 1HK$ is divided into 100 cents. Major banks are open from 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12.30pm on Saturday. Banks and moneychangers charge commission as do hotels that provide exchange services. All major credit cards are accepted and ATMs are widely distributed. Some HSBC 'Electronic Money' machines provide 24-hour cash withdrawal facilities for Visa and MasterCard holders.
Currency Exchange Rates |
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| HKD1.00 = | US$ 0.13 | £ 0.07 | C$ 0.14 | A$ 0.16 | R 1.07 | € 0.09 | NZ$ 0.19 |
Language: Cantonese and Mandarin are the main dialects spoken in Hong Kong. English is widely used although no longer the medium of instruction in local schools.
Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens must have a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens must have a valid passport for intended period of stay. No visa is required for a stay of up to six months, provided the passport is endorsed British Citizen. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months depending on the place of issue of passport if the passport is endorsed British Subject or British National (Overseas) or British Overseas Citizen, or British Dependent Territories Citizen.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians must have a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australians must have a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans must have a valid passport, but no visa is required for stays of up to one month.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens must have a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals must have a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
Passport/Visa Note: All passports must be valid for at least one month after period of intended stay. All visitors must be in possession of onward or return tickets, except when in transit to mainland China or Macao, as well as all documents required for next destination, and sufficient funds to cover their stay in Hong Kong.
Health: There are no specific health risks associated with travel to Hong Kong. Food and water are safe, although visitors should consider only drinking bottled water for the first few days of their stay. Take precautions against mosquito bites, as there is a risk of dengue fever. Hong Kong's health facilities are first class, but expect payment in cash. Medical insurance is advised. Cases of bird flu have been reported and although the risk for travellers is low, all close contact with caged, domestic and wild birds should be avoided, and all poultry and egg dishes well cooked.
Tipping: A 10% service charge is usually added to restaurant bills, but waiters will expect some loose change, and if no service charge is included a 10% tip is expected. Taxis fares are rounded up to the nearest dollar (usually automatically by the driver).
Safety: Hong Kong is a safe travel destination although caution should always be exercised when travelling to a city. Pickpockets are likely to target unsuspecting tourists so one should minimise these incidences through vigilance. Be wary of accepting drinks from strangers, as incidences of spiked drinks are increasing. Walkers in Hong Kong's Country Parks have recently been targeted by robbers; it is advisable to stay on marked trails and not carry large amounts of cash or credit cards. The typhoon season is usually between April and October, which may cause flooding and landslides.
Customs: Spitting and littering are illegal and will incur on the spot fines. The concept of 'face' is extremely important; to 'lose face' means to lose honour and respect and the Chinese will go to great lengths to avoid the humiliation. Avoid publicly reprimands, insults, or contradictions, as this will cause a loss of 'face'.
Business: Business in Hong Kong is conducted efficiently and formally and punctuality is important. It is advised to allow for sufficient travel time before meetings considering the high traffic congestion. Suits and ties are the norm and it is customary to exchange business cards (printed in English on one side and Cantonese on the other) at the start of a meeting, along with a firm handshake. Business cards should be given and received using both hands, with the Cantonese side facing the recipient, and should be treated with respect. It is common to greet the more senior or elder person first. Introductions are usually made using first name and surname, and most Hong Kong Chinese go by their English name. Business entertainment is usually in the form of a lunch or dinner that is hosted by the Chinese partner. Food is also usually ordered and paid for by the host. It is not unusual to exchange gifts, but they are opened at the meeting. Business hours are usually from 9am to 5pm or later (weekdays) and some business also open between 9am and 1pm on Saturdays.
Communications: The international access code for Hong Kong is +852. The outgoing code depends on what network is used (e.g. 001 for PCCW), which is followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00144 for the United Kingdom). City codes are not required. 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.
Duty Free: Travellers to Hong Kong over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 1 litre of spirits or wine; and a reasonable amount of items for personal use. Prohibited items include narcotics, psychotropic drugs, firearms and ammunition; counterfeit items, endangered species (alive or stuffed), and copyright infringed products.