Travel Tips
Customs and etiquette
Hong Kong People are well mannered, honest and simple, in fact it is their life style and culture. Laughing in public places or speaking loudlywill make a bad impression here. Showing affection in public place is also treated as a bad habit. Do not expect “please” and “thank you” every time.
Hong Kong people dresses conservativelyeven when sightseeing and in hot weather and they generally prefer to avoid all forms of body contact inpublic.
Tipping is not at all a common practice unlike other countries and tourists who try to pay over the odds in restaurants and shops are likely to offend.
Money
Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) is the official currency and is accepted everywhere in Hong Kong. Money changing facilities are available at all banks. Shops accept major credit cards and there are plenty of ATM machines. One will find a lot of branches well known international banks like Standard Chartered, Citi Bank,HSBCetc.
Weather
March to May is the best time to visit Hong Kong, when the weather is warm and dry. The climate is subtropical with four distinct seasons. Temperatures drop to 10°C in the winter and summer is hot and humid with around 33°C.
Tourist flow begins from September until December, so hotels will have to be booked in advance. In short notice, it will be expensive and availability is also a concern. During major festivals such as Chinese New Year the hotel tariff goes sky high and sometimes even not available.
Accommodation
World class accommodation is available in the city and major hotel chain opened up with international facilities. All types of hotel accommodations are available from super deluxe hotels to budget category depending on the paying capacity of the person.
Transportation
As the city is small, one can reach all places by walk though it may take time. In addition to taxies there are buses and trams available which reaches every part of the city.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is the main gateway to the city which is situated on Check Lap Kok Island. It is connected to Hong Kong Island by rail and in less than half an hour one can reach city centre. You may also travel by bus or ferry. All the islands are connected by bridges and ferries which makes easy access to all.
Fast facts
Population: 7,055,071
Spoken languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, English
Phone/calling code: +85 2
Electrical: 220-240 Volts, 50 Hertz