Hong Kong

Introduction

Yuen Po Street Bird Market

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Handed back to the government of China by the British in 1997, Hong Kong's thriving capitalist market has in no way been slowed down by the influence of Communist rule. Skyscrapers are packed into a relatively small skyline on Hong Kong Island, as the fast-paced lives of business people tick away at ground level. Hong Kong retains its culture in rather remarkable fashion, with traditional street vendors occupying alleyways between said skyscrapers, floating restaurants operating in the harbor, or fishing families recalling Hong Kong's origins as a fishing village. These emblems of Chinese culture are all but invisible from the heights of Victoria Peak; but the breathtaking spectacle of Hong Kong's skyline, harbour and outer islands leaves no room for disappointment.

Brief History

Human settlement in the area now known as Hong Kong dates back to the late Paleolithic and early Neolithic era. The area's earliest recorded European visitor was Jorge Álvares, a Portuguese explorer who arrived in 1513.
In 1839 the refusal by Qing Dynasty authorities to import opium resulted in the First Opium War between China and Great Britain. Hong Kong Island became occupied by British forces in 1841, and was formally ceded to Britain under the Treaty of Nanking at the end of the war. The British established a crown colony with the founding of Victoria City the following year. In 1860, after China's defeat in the Second Opium War, the Kowloon Peninsula and Stonecutter's Island were ceded to Britain under the Convention of Peking. In 1898, under the terms of the Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory, Britain obtained a 99-year lease of Lantau Island and the adjacent northern lands, which became known as the New Territories. Hong Kong's territory has remained unchanged to the present. During the first half of the 20th century, Hong Kong was a free port of the British Empire.

Japan invaded Hong Kong on 8 December 1941 in the Second World War. The Battle of Hong Kong ended with British and Canadian defenders surrendering to Japan on 25 December. During the occupation, civilians suffered starvation, rationing, and hyper-inflation Hong Kong lost more than half of its population in the war. In 1945 Great Britain regained control of the colony. Hong Kong's population recovered quickly as a wave of migrants from China arrived for refuge from the ongoing Chinese Civil War. When the People's Republic of China was proclaimed in 1949, more migrants fled to Hong Kong in fear of persecution by the Communist Party. Besides the influx of immigrants there was also a flow of businesses mainly from Shanghai and Guangzhou that moved to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong rapidly industrialised, with its economy becoming driven by exports, and living standards rising steadily. The construction of Shek Kip Mei Estate in 1953 marked the beginning of the public housing estate programme, designed to cope with the huge influx of immigrants. Trade in Hong Kong accelerated even further when Shenzhen, immediately north of Hong Kong, became a special economic zone of China, and established Hong Kong as the main source of foreign investment to China. During the 1980’s China took over the role of Hong Kong as a heaven for lowcost labour, and Hong Kong’s economy became based on services.

In 1983, Hong Kong was reclassified from a British crown colony to a dependent territory. However with the lease of the New Territories due to expire within two decades, the governments of Britain and China were already discussing the issue of Hong Kong's sovereignty. In 1984 the two countries signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration, agreeing to transfer sovereignty to the People's Republic of China in 1997, and stipulating that Hong Kong would be governed as a special administrative region, retaining its laws and a high degree of autonomy for at least fifty years after the transfer. The Hong Kong Basic Law, which would serve as the constitutional document after the transfer, was ratified in 1990, and the transfer of sovereignty occurred at midnight on 1 July 1997.

Neighbourhoods

• Hong Kong Island
• Kowloon
• Lantau Island
• New Territories

Sights and Activities

Victoria Peak

Skyline from Victoria Peak

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Victoria Peak is a 552-metre hill on Hong Kong Island and is mainly visited because it has some tremendous views from the top which can be reached by the Peak Tram. You can also walk up or first take the tram and walk down again which is probably the better option when the weather is hot. For more information about the Peak Tram and other sight in and around the Victoria Peak you can check The Peak website.

Symphony of Lights

The Symphony of Lights is a daily light and laser show which is best viewed from Kowloon across the Victoria Harbour. Some buildings on Kowloon and many of the highrise buildings on Hong Kong Island join this spectacular activity and it starts at 8:00pm daily and lasts for about 10 minutes or so. The Avenue of the Stars in southern Kowloon is the best place to watch it. For more information check the Symphony of Lights website. The views across Victoria Harbour from Kowloon are beautiful anytime of day by the way.

Symphony of lights

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Outlying Islands

Although Hong Kong may be best known because of its busy city areas and skyline and markets, there are some great islands to explore, some of which are as quiet as rural China. Lantau is the biggest island which include the Ngong Ping Cable Car to the Ngong Ping village and a large Buddha statue. There are many fishing villages on Lantau Island as well and some great hikes. South of Hong Kong Island are even some more remote islands and on some of them there are no cars, which is a relief after walking in downtown Hong Kong or Kowloon. Many ferries leave from Hong Kong Island and it is easy to do some daytrips. Lamma Islands is one of the more popular ones.

Tian Tan Buddha

Big Buddha

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The Tian Tan Buddha is a huge bronze statue of a sitting Buddha, build on top of a hill, and near to the Po Lin monastary. The name Tian Tan Buddha cames from the base of the statue which is a model of the Altar of Heaven of Tian Tan, the Temple of Heaven found in Beijing. Under the Buddha are three floors containing the The Hall of Universe, The Hall of Benevolent Merit, and The Hall of Remembrance. It is claimed that some of the cremated remains of Buddha are located here. Surrounding the buddha are six statues of other gods, giving praise to Buddha. Visitors can climb the 268 steps that lead up to the statue, free of charge.

Star Ferry

Since many years, the Star Ferry travels between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon across the Victoria Harbour and this is the best way to experience Hong Kong from the water. Check the Star Ferry website for more details and information about history and meaning of this important connections over the waters.

Other sights and activities

Man Mo Temple

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• Shopping in the markets of Mong Kok.
• Viewing ancient Chinese artefacts at the Hong Kong Museum of Art.
• Try some Dim Sum in one of the many restaurants.
• Hiking in the Sai Kung area, New Territories.
• Taking the tram and hitting the bars around Hong Kong Island at night.
• Man Mo Temple.

Events and Festivals

• Chinese New Year
• Spring Lantern Festival
• Mid-Autumn Festival
• 1st october: Chinese National Day (holiday/firework in the evening)

Weather

Hong Kong generally has warm to hot weather with relatively high humidity. The worst months are from May/June to September when the temperatures are above 30 °C during the day and at night it doesn't get any cooler than 25 °C. On top of that, the humidity can be overwhelming and it is rainy season with serious downpours and occasional hurricanes (typhoons) which can strike Hong Kong. January and February are dry but cool with temperatures just under 20 °C on average and nights below 10 °C common. October to December is warmer and sunny and is the best time for a visit.

Getting There

By Plane

The Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) on the island of Chep Lap Kok serves all flights to and from Hong Kong, including the ones from mainland China. The national carrier is Cathay Pacific, considered one of the best airlines in the world. Cathay Pacific has flights to many destination throughout the world, including one of the longest direct flights: 16 hours to New York. It also has direct flights to other North American cities, like Los Angeles and Toronto. There are flights to most main airports in the Asian region, with connections to Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and India as well as flights to the Middle East. European destinations include Amsterdam, Paris and London. Several cities in Australia and Auckland in New Zealand have almost daily flights as well. Other airlines based in Hong Kong include Dragonair, Hong Kong Express Airways, Air Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Airlines. Literally dozens of other airlines fly to Hong Kong, including British Airways, Continental Airlines, KLM, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic. Even a few budget airlines have flights to and from Hong Kong. Low-cost carrier AirAsia flies to Hong Kong from its hub in Kuala Lumpur.

The Airport Express is a dedicated train service between the airport and the city centre. These trains run every 12 minutes and the 36-kilometre distance to downtown Hong Kong is covered in just 24 minutes. The fare is around 100 Hong Kong dollars, which is expensive when compared to 30-40 dollars being charged by shuttle buses. Special passes are also available to tourists which include tickets of Airport Express plus 3 days of unlimited use of the metro system. There are several shuttle buses linking the airport with Kowloon, Hong Kong Island as well as the New Territories (e.g. Sha Tin). The major companies operating on this route are KMB and City Bus and the fare from airport to city centre ranges between 30-40 HKD. Terminal-to-terminal travel is also quick and simple. Operated by the Airport Authority and maintained by MTR Corporation, there is an automated people mover connecting the East Hall to the West Hall and Terminal 2. Extension to SkyPier was also completed and opened to public in late 2009.

If you are coming from Mainland China, it is cheaper to take a plane to Shenzhen than to fly directly to Hong Kong. From Shenzhen Airport, there is a ferry service to Kowloon (about HK$160). A much cheaper alternative is to take the shuttle-bus to the Shenzhen Central Bus Station (about 40min, 20 RMB), then cross the border by foot and get on the MTR East Rail Line (Lo Wu Station).

By Train

MTR operates intercities across the border to Shenzhen, Guangzhou, but also places further afield like Beijing and Shanghai. Most trains to Hong Kong terminate at the Hung Hom station in the east of Kowloon.

By Car

There are six overland border crossings between Hong Kong and China. These are Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, Sha Tau Ko and Shenzhen Bay. Lo Wu is a train and pedestrian crossing; Lok Ma Chau is a pedestrian crossing; Lok Ma Chau and Sha Tau Kok are road, bus and pedestrian crossings, Man Kam To and Shenzhen Bay bridge are road and bus crossings.

Few travellers get here with their own or rental car, as driving to/from China usually means a lot of hassle as you need a special Chinese driver's licence.

By Bus

Cross Boundary Coaches goes to several destinations in China, including Shenzhen and Guangzhou and its airports.

By Boat

There are several companies operating ferry services between Hong Kong and neighbouring cities in Guangzhou.

Turbojet

• Hong Kong - Macau
• Hong Kong International Airport - Macau
• Hong Kong International Airport – Nansha, Guangzhou

New World First Ferry

• Hong Kong (Tsim Sha Tsui) - Macau

Chu Kong Passenger Transport Co

• Hong Kong (Tsim Sha Tsui) - several Guangzhou cities and towns
• Hong Kong International Airport - several Guangzhou cities and towns

Getting Around

Public Transport
There are numerous ways of getting around by public transport. If you spend some time in Hong Kong and decide to use the public transport often, be sure to get a Octopus Card, which generally is more convenient and gives you unlimited access to almost all of the buses, ferries, trams and the underground system. You just have to make sure you have money on the card at all times, which can be automatically deducted from your card.
There are also Airport Express Octopus cards and 3 day Octopus cards, usually only valid on MTR lines (see below).

By Bus

Public double-decker buses ply all the main routes. Companies include Kowloon Motor Bus, Citybus, New World First Bus and New Lantao Bus.
There are also smaller minibus vans, the red minibuses and green minibuses. Using these buses can be confusing, as some might accept the Octopus card, while others don't. Also, some give change, other won't.
Kowloon Canton Railway has some feeder buses as well.

By Boat

The Star Ferry probably is a landmark of its own in Hong Kong. It's very cheap and a great way to view both Hong Kong Island as well as Kowloon from the water of the Hong Kong Harbor.
But there are numerous other ferries travelling between almost all islands, closeby and further away. Ferries to Lamma and Lantau are the most popular and convenient.

Other public transport

MTR
The Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is a very fast, comfortable and convenient way of getting around most of the area. Lines include the Tung Chung Line to the Lantau Island, the Tsuen Wan Line between Central, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mongkok and the Island Line which runs along the north of Hong Kong Island. The Airport Express is not a MTR line but stops at several of the stations along the Tung Chung Line as well, making it possible to switch between them.
Tram
Hong Kong Tramways offers a great way of getting around cheaply, albeit slowly as well. These city trams run along the north of Hong Kong Island.
And of course there is the Victoria Peak Tram which probably is one of the highlights of Hong Kong in itself.

By Car

Roads in Hong Kong are in a good condition and so are road signs and even the driving skills of the locals. Still, it is not recommended to rent a car, basically because it is just not necessary. It will cost at least 50-60 US dollar for the smallest car and with public transport so extensive around all of Hong Kong, you would be fooling yourself. If you insist, most international companies offer cars at the international airport and several places downtown. Traffic drives on the left and a national or international driving permit is required.
However, if you plan to visit the New Territories (for example to try one of the fantastic sea food restaurants) you might need a car. There are some bus lines, but they are not very frequent.

By Foot

Of course, walking around Hong Kong is still one of the best ways to experience the hustle and bustle of this city balancing on modernity and eastern values. Still, it is best combined with the occasional trip by tram, metro, bus or ferry. Taking the peaktram and walking back down to Central is great (and better than walking uphill in the humid heat), but other walks worth the effort include a combined walk and elevator route taking the longest elevator in the world, going up and down the steep hills of Central Hong Kong Island.
If you are more into hiking, there are great walks in the mountains of Lantau and further afield there are fantastic coastal walks on one of the many almost inhabited islands.

By Bike

Biking is less popular than walking and best done in the New Territories or on one of the flatter islands or islands where traffic (read cars) is less crowded and thus safer and more enjoyable. There are many places to rent bikes, including major transport hubs, but also at some hotels and downtown places. Biking in the city itself is best avoided and not that enjoyable.

Red Tape

Citizens of the following countries are allowed to enter Hong Kong without a visa for a limited period of time.

• 180 days: United Kingdom
• 90 days: Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Brazil, British Overseas Territories citizens, British Overseas citizens, British Antartic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (South), Latvia, Leichtenstein, Lithuana, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montserrat, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
• 30 days: Bahrain, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.
• 14 days: Algeria, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Croatia, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Lesotho, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Mongolia, Mozambique, Niger, Palau, Philippines, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Suriname, Vatican City.

For the latest update, refer to the Hong Kong Immigration Department -Visa/Entry Permit Requirements.

Money

See also: Money Matters

Currency: Hong Kong Dollar. There are 100 cents to the dollar.
Symbol: HK$, HKD
Notes: HK$1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10 dollars
Coins: HK$10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20 and 10 cents

Banks
There are numerous banks and ATM machines are plentyful. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 0900-1630; Saturday 0900-1200; Sunday closed. Some branches have longer hours.

Credit Cards
All major cards including American Express, Visa and Diners Club are widely accepted.

Work

Working Holiday Scheme

The Hong Kong Government organises a Working Holiday Scheme to facilitate cultural and educational exchange between Hong Kong and the participating country. This scheme is open to citizens of Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, aged between 18 and 30 years. Successful applicants will be issued a 12-month visa and are allowed to engage in employment, but not exceeding three months with the same employer. Participants from Australia and New Zealand are also allowed to enrol in study or training courses of not more than three months, during their stay.

Study

There are two public universities in Honk Kong:

• The Chinese University of Hong Kong
• The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

While the former is located on Hong Kong Island, the latter is situated in the New Territories. Most lectures are hold in English.
There is also the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Language

Chinese and English are the two official languages, with Cantonese being the most widely spoken. English is spoken by a good proportion of the popluation. Street names are generally in both English and Chinese, but many shops and businesses have only Chinese signs.

Eat

Eating in Hong Kong is both a pleasant and adventurous experience if you know where to go. There are many small restaurants for example in Kowloon that serve Chinese dishes at reasonably cheap prices, but the quality is often not very good. The best thing to do in Hong Kong is to eat in a sea food restaurant somewhere at the coast (for example in the New Terrotorries, on Hong Kong Island or one of the other Islands). The marine animals should still be alive when you choose them. They will then be freshly prepared and you pay them by their weight. The rice often comes at the end, so if you want it together with the sea food you have to say so.

Hong Kong is home to the world's cheapest Michelin star-rated restaurant, Tim Ho Wan. If dumplings are your thing, this is the ultimate. Although the prices are low, the queues to get in are long - don't be surprised at a 2 hour wait! Open daily from 10:00am-10:00pm, Shop 8, 2-20 Kwong Wa Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon. Phone: +852 2332 2896.

Sleep

Rents in Hong Kong are very high due to the restricted living space. Therefore, rooms are either very expensive or just expensive but very small.

Budget

There are a lot of hostels in Hong Kong. Most of them are no more than some joining appartments, each divided in several rooms. So if you are on a low budget, prepare yourself to spend most of your time outside of your hostel.

Mid-Range

Upscale

Drink

Much of Hong Kong's nightlife revolves around Lan Kwai Fong, a pedestrian area in Central, popular with the expat community and young partying Hong Kongers. Here you will find every type of bar you could want for a night out - pubs, dance clubs, shooter bars, and live music venues. Much of the action spills unto the street where you can dance and party with the crowds drinking at the 711.

For live music and a drinking scene slightly removed from the debauchery of Lan Kwai Fong, head to Wan Chai, where you will find a selection of live music bars, restaurants, alongside some of Hong Kong's seedier offerings.

For a more relaxed scene popular with the expat business community, the streets around the mid-level escalators (Elgin and Stauton) have countless finer bars and restaurants, as well as some pubs and casual drinking holes.

Drinks in Hong Kong can be expensive, so take advantage of the excellent happy hours (usually 1/2 price) offered by most bars in the city before 8 or 9:00pm.

Health

See also: Travel Health

There are no vaccinations legally required to travel to Hong Kong. There is one exception though. You need a yellow fever vaccination if you have travelled to a country (7 days or less before entering Hong Kong) where that disease is widely prevalent.

It's a good thing to get your vaccinations in order before travelling to Hong Kong. The general vaccination against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) is recommended. Also a hepatitis A vaccination is recommended and when travelling longer than 2 weeks also typhoid. Vaccination against Tuberculosis as well as hepatitis B are sometimes recommended for stays longer than 3 months.

Only in rare cases is vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis recommended. Malaria does not occurs in Hong Kong, but dengue sometimes does. Just use mosquito repellant and wear long sleeves if you can when it is dark.

Finally, other possible health issues include diarrhea and other general travellers' diseases like motion sickness. Watch what you eat and drink and in case you get it, drink plenty of fluids (to prevent dehydration) and bring ORS.

Safety

See also: Travel Safety

Hong Kong is a very safe place to visit and like most cities the usual precautions apply, like keeping your valuables either invisible to others when you are outside or keep it in a hotel lock if it's possible.
Maybe one of the main safety concerns is traffic. Although there are good public transportation options, cars are everywhere and especially Kowloon and parts of Hong Kong Island are very crowded. Just watch out and keep to the main pedestian crossings.

Keep Connected

Internet

Tip for free internet access: Coffee Shops. Most coffee shops have free internet access, wireless or on the present machines.

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

Post

External Links

• Official Tourism Board of Hong Kong