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TRAVEL GUIDE TO HONG KONG
Airport Taxes
All passengers 12 and above must pay an Air Passenger
Departure Tax of HK$120 (which is charged in addition to the price of
your ticket). Passengers who arrive and depart Hong Kong within
the same day are exempted from paying such a tax.
An additional HK$13 Airport Security Surcharge will be collected from
passengers departing Hong Kong International Airport in order to
maintain the current standards of safety, security and passenger
services. This is on top of the existing HK$20 security charge
already collected by airlines on behalf of the Hong Kong Airport
Authority.
Baggage
Passengers are allowed 44 pounds and two pieces of luggage per person. Excess
luggage fees will be charged if you check more than the stated
allowances, and these charges are your responsibility. Baggage
carts at the airport are available free of charge.
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Climate
and Clothing
Hong Kong's climate is subtropical, with hot, humid summers that can
reach temperatures of 95 F/35 C and humidity close to 100%. From May -
October, typhoons with strong winds may occasionally occur. From October, temperatures drop
to the cool 60s F/20s C. The coldest time of year is December-February.
Clear, sunny days make October-November the best time to visit.
Hong Kong's subtropical climate means you
won't be needing the winter woollies for most of the year. Loose-fitting
cotton clothing generally fits the bill. The exception is from
mid-December to February, when the mercury might fall to a mild 10oC
(50oF). But even in the summer, it pays to bring along a
light sweater - air-conditioning in most restaurants and cinemas is
often turned up high. Rain showers are often during the rainy season
(around May to September), so also be sure to pack a light waterproof
jacket.
Communications
Hong Kong
thrives on efficient telecommunications. Local calls from public coin
phones cost HK$1 for five minutes. International Direct Dialing is available in all hotels. Prepaid
telephone cards are available in post offices, hotels and supermarkets
for public phones. The country code for Hong Kong is (852).
Postage is inexpensive
and the service is reliable. The main post offices are on Hong Kong
Island, next to the "Star" Ferry in Central, and at 10 Middle Road, Tsim
Sha Tsui in Kowloon. Enquiries: +852 2921 2222.
Currency
Legal tender
is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$). There are 100 cents in a dollar. Coins,
issued by the government, are bronze-colored for 10 cents, 20 cents and
50 cents; silver-colored for HK$1, HK$2, and HK$5; nickel and bronze
for HK$10. Notes issued by HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank have
denominations of HK$10, HK$20, HK$50, HK$100, HK$500, and HK$1,000. The
Bank of China issues all of the denominations except HK$10. The exchange
rate is approximately HK$7.8 to the US dollar.
Major banks
are open from 9am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12:30pm on
Saturday. They close on Sundays and public holidays. Automated teller
machines (ATMs) can be found almost everywhere and some HSBC "Electronic
Money" machines provide 24-hour cash withdrawal (HK$) facilities for
Visa and MasterCard holders. American Express cardholders have access to
Jetco ATMs and can withdraw local currency and travelers' checks at
the Express Cash ATMs in town.
Customs Regulations
According to related laws and regulations, the
luggage of inbound and outbound passengers must come under customs
supervision and control.
Electricity
Voltage in Hong Kong is 220 volts, so a
transformer will be needed to operate 100-volt appliances.
Electrical appliances will require an adapter that can change the shape
of the plug prongs, as well as an electrical voltage converter that will
allow a normal 110-volt American appliance to take 220 Volt current.
Most major hotels provide hair dryers
and other amenities.
Food and
Water
Hong Kong is known as one of the great culinary capitals of the
world. There is plenty of local and international cuisines to sample
during your stay. Not all the tap water in Hong Kong is potable, but
bottled mineral water is on sale everywhere.
Heath
Matters
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No special vaccinations are required.
Upon arrival and departure in Hong Kong,
passengers are required to complete a health declaration form provided
to (including transit passengers) at the airport, ports and border
points.
You will also have your temperature taken
when you pass through immigration. These measures enable visitors to
have an enjoyable and healthy stay in Hong Kong.
You can also
contact the Center for Disease Control (C.D.C.) 404-639-3534 for updated
information.
Holidays
New Year - Jan 1st
Chinese New Year - Jan/Feb (3 days)
Easter (holidays on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday) -
Mar/Apr
Ching Ming Festival - Apr
Labour Day, Buddha's Birthday - May
Tuen Ng (Dragon Boat) Festival - Jun
HKSAR Establishment Day - Jul 1st
Mid-Autumn Festival - Mid Sep
Chinese National Day, Chung Yeung Festival - Oct 1st
Christmas - Dec 25th and 26th
Passports and Visas
Visitors to Hong Kong must hold a valid passport. Passports should be
valid for at least one month after your planned departure date from Hong
Kong. For some nationalities, this condition extends to six months.
Nationals of most countries, including US, are not required to obtain
visas for periods varying from seven days to 180 days, depending on
nationality. Check with any Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest
status.
Visas for mainland China can be obtained in Hong Kong. They require
one photo and take five working days to process. Visas can be
obtained through the Visa Office of People's Republic of China, Office
of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's
Republic of China in Hong Kong, China Travel Service (HK) Ltd, or China
International Travel Service HK Ltd.
Time Difference
Standard Time in Hong
Kong is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and 13 hours ahead of Eastern
Standard Time, USA.
Tipping
Most restaurants
will levy a 10 per cent service charge but waiters will expect to be
given some loose change. Restaurants that don't add a service charge
will expect a 10 per cent tip. However, tipping is left to your
discretion. Bellboys, porters, restroom attendants and taxi drivers will
happily accept loose change.
Transportation
Hong Kong is geographically compact and
boasts one of the world's most efficient, safe, affordable and frequent
public transport systems. Whether by taxi, ferry, rail, bus or tram, you
can get around easily and catch wonderful glimpses of the city along the
way. The system covers extension
areas of Hong Kong with signs in English and Chinese. Airport and sightseeing transfers are included in our
tours. Unless specifically
arranged, all sightseeing are provided via air-conditioned motor-coach.
What to Pack?
You can buy virtually
anything in Hong Kong. Essential items to bring
include: Valid Passport.
Travelers Checks. Copy of Your Airline Ticket. Your Medicines. Departure
documents. Voltage converter. Travel alarm clock. Camera(s), batteries & films. Sunscreen/Tan lotion. Pocket size
Kleenex. Extra luggage locks/keys. First Aid kit. Soft, foldable
slippers. Extra set of eyeglasses. Folding Umbrella. Comfortable
walking shoes.
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