Before You Book

PREPARING TO GO TO HONG KONG

CAPITAL

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China has no capital. Major areas include Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, New Territories and 262 outlying islands.

LANGUAGE

Chinese (Cantonese and Putonghua), English; both are official.

RELIGION

Most of the population identify with 'Chinese Folk Religions' (49%). Of the remaining population, 21.3% of Hong Kong is Buddhist, 14.2% is Taoist, 11.8% is Christian and 3.7% identified with 'Other'.

LOCAL TIME

13 hours ahead of Toronto and New York, 16 hours ahead of Vancouver and Los Angeles

ELECTRICITY

220V, 50 Hz

PASSPORT & VISA

All visitors to Hong Kong must have a valid passport that is valid for at least one month beyond their return date. Upon arrival in Hong Kong, visitors must show proof of a return or onward ticket (unless they are in transit to mainland China or Macau). Visas are not required by American and Canadian citizens for stays of up to 90 days.

All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour. Passports are required; in addition, travelers are advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is sole responsibility of the traveler.

LOCAL CURRENCY

Hong Kong currency is traded internationally and can be freely converted into any foreign currencies. The Hong Kong Dollar (HK$) is available in coins and notes. Coins come in 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1, $2, $5, and $10 denominations. Notes come in $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, and $1000 denominations.

XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.

MONEY EXCHANGE, CREDIT CARD & ATM

Banks and ATMs can be found almost everywhere. Credit cards are widely accepted in most shops, restaurants, and hotels. We recommend that you take $US currency.

CLOTHING

Hong Kong enjoys a generally subtropical climate. The weather in brief:

• Spring - Jackets or sweaters are suggested.
• Summer - Short sleeves, cotton clothing, and an umbrella are suggested.
• Autumn - Short sleeves, sweaters and light jackets are suggested.
• Winter - Suits, light woolens and sometimes overcoats suggested

Casual attire will suit in most cases, but coat and tie are normally required in first class western cuisine restaurants in the evening.

COMMUNICATION:

Email
Internet cafes can now be found everywhere/

Post
The postal service is good, and stamps are readily available everywhere.

Phone
As one of the world's leading financial centres, Hong Kong is connected to international telephone, telex, and satellite communications system, so you can contact virtually any city in the world. In most hotels, a service charge will be added to your phone bill if International Direct Dial (IDD) is used. An easy method of making calls is to purchase stored value phone cards (HKD$50, $150, and $200) which can be purchased in HKTA's Information and Gift centers.

WEATHER & CLIMATE

Spring: March-mid May; temperature & humidity rising.

Summer: Late May-mid September; hot & humid.
Typhoon season (July-September). Hong Kong has a very efficient early-warning system for approaching typhoons, which rarely pass directly over Hong Kong.

Autumn: Late September-early December; sunny and clear.

Winter: Late December-February; cool with low humidity.

Hong Kong: (approx)

MEALS

Approximate costs for meals and snacks not included are shown below:

• Simple snack: $US 3-4
• Light meal: $US 6-12
• Fancy restaurant: $US 30-45

DRINKS

The following is a rough guideline for drinks bought in a shop or convenience store. Prices in restaurants and hotels can sometimes be more than double the prices specified below:

• 1l of water: $US 1.00
• 30cl bottle of soft drink: $US 1.50
• 50cl bottle of beer: $US 3-5

It is not recommended that you drink the local tap water. Bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely available everywhere.

FOOD
In a city of sizzling woks, tinkling wine glasses, boisterous celebrations, and cozy eateries: pungent cooking aromas and celebrated culinary festivals, everywhere you turn there is the temptation to dig in and indulge. Resistance is futile. Many of Hong Kong’s eating experiences are inherited from China or imported from around the world. But some are born and bred, or at least reshaped, in Asia’s world city. These are the places you can find them:  Hong Kong Style Tea Houses, Open Air Street Stalls and over 11,100 restaurants scattered all over Hong Kong. Choose from Dim Sum, Chinese BBQ, Seafood, Fusion, Fine Dining, Late night eats, Hot Pot Eateries, Fast Food and much more.

TIPPING

Hong Kong is not as much of a tipping culture in comparison to other Asian cities, but for tour guides, we suggest you leave a gratuity of between HK$40 to HK$90 per person depending on the duration of the excursion. If using the services of a hotel porter, it’s customary to tip them at least HK$10. There is no obligation to tip taxi drivers, just round the fare up a little. It is recommended you tip hotel staff HK$10-20. Most restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill.

TRANSPORTATION

Taxis, the easiest form of transportation, are red on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. If available, a red "For Hire" flag is raised in the windscreen and, at night, the "Taxi" sign on the roof is lit up. All taxis are metered.

A tip is usually expected but just round up to the nearest dollar. Taxis are restricted from picking up and setting down passengers during specified times in "urban clearways", recognizable by single or double yellow lines along roads. Although you can hail a taxi on the streets, sometimes it is easier to pick up one at the hotel or taxi stand.

The MTR (Mass Transit Railway) is Hong Kong's convenient and efficient subway system. The MTR has been providing a safe, reliable, and efficient service to passengers since 1979. Today with 10 lines and 98 stations, it keeps over 4.9 million people on the move every weekday, making it one of the most heavily utilized mass transit systems in the world.

The Star Ferry is an inexpensive and scenic way to get from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island or vice versa. Ferry service is every 6-10 minutes and offers incredible views of Victoria Harbour, the Peak and both sky lines. A must for first time visitors to Hong Kong.

HEALTH & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES

As a general recommendation, it is advisable to check with your family doctor or travel clinic for the latest health information.

Hong Kong medical facilities are among the finest in the world, with well-qualified doctors and dentists, many of whom are trained overseas. Some hotels have their own doctor on 24-hour call. For ambulance dial 999. Most hotels have a resident doctor or one on call.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance from your travel agent. Health plans only provide limited coverage while traveling outside of the country. Indus Travels can offer you a complete travel insurance package. Some credit cards do offer travel insurance; however, they do not always provide adequate coverage. Review and understand the terms of your credit card insurance policy. Extra travel insurance can be purchased.