Hong Kong, China Hotels and City Guide

Hong Kong - Travel Tips

When to Visit Hong Kong

Most people choose to visit Hong Kong during the mildest months. September through February make for idea sight-seeing weather as the skies are often clear, the temperature is warm, and the humidity is quite low. At the start of March, the humidity begins to increase, but the temperatures stay low. From May to September, though, warmth and humidity reign supreme, and rain is quite common. Hong Kong usually gets at least one to two typhoons during this period each year as well.

Local Holidays (2009)

New Year's Day (January 1)
Jan Chinese New Year (January 26 – 28)
Good Friday (April 10)
Easter Monday (April 13)
Labour Day (May 1)
Lord Buddha's Birthday (May 2)
Tuen Ng (Dragon Boat) Festival (May 28)
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day (July 1)
National Day (October 1)
Christmas Day (December 25)
Boxing Day (December 26)

It’s important to note that religious festivals here work based on the lunar calendar, so variations are not uncommon. On the dates listed above, banks and public offices are closed. For more details, contact the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Local Customs & Language (including Tipping)

Customs

As this was once a British Colony, you’ll find many customs left from British Rule. That means there are distinct and subtle differences in standards of etiquette in Hong Kong from other Asian countries. For example, spitting on the sidewalk may be perfectly acceptable on the mainland but it is highly frowned upon here. Likewise it is considered rude to scramble for the first seats on the train.

Sales staff in stores will greet you as you enter and likely stay with you until you either make a purchase or exit the store as a matter of course. You can ignore them while shopping without incident.

Language

English and Chinese are the two official languages of Hong Kong. The Cantonese dialect is most often heard, but others including Mandarin, Shanghainese, and Chiu-Chow are spoken as well.

Tipping Advice

For the most part, tipping is not customary here, but if you feel you must leave something, it is acceptable. You may tip taxi drivers by simply rounding up the fare to the nearest dollar. Hotel staff can be tipped ten to twenty dollars. Porters get HK$2 – 5 per bag handled. Some restaurants add a ten percent service charge to a bill, but most small establishments do not expect a tip, and leaving money on the table is considered rude.

Health and Security

There are no required immunizations before a visit to Hong Kong unless you have spent time in a country that has been infected by yellow fever. It is, however, essential to keep an eye out for any of the following afflictions while you’re traveling. In order to prevent some of them, you may want to avoid drinking the tap water and stick to bottled water while you’re here.

Dengue fever: Acquired by mosquito bite, this is a viral disease that is not like malaria. High fever, headache and joint & muscle pain are common. Seek medical attention immediately and do not take aspirin. Protect yourself from insect bites at all times.
Giardia: May affect you when you have diarrhea and prolong the illness and discomfort. Keep your hands clean at all times to avoid giardia.
Hepatitis A: Common in Hong Kong and often caught due to the shellfish. Get the vaccine.
Hepatitis B: Also common in the region but only caught through sexual transmission or the use of shared needles with an infected person.
Flu: Influenza is common during the winter months. If you are prone to the disease, get a flu shot before you travel.

Health Care

Health care in the region is excellent but can be quite expensive with a visitor being required to pay $570 to be seen in an emergency room. Dial 999 for an ambulance or call 2300 6555 for general information on hospitals. You may need supplemental insurance while you’re traveling.

Safety

Dial 999 for any emergency.

While there is a degree of organized crime in Hong Kong it is nowhere near anything you have seen portrayed in the movies. If you stay away from illegal gambling you are probably not going to encounter any organized crime to speak of.

Hong Kong is safer than many Western cities but you should exercise the same cautions you would if you were in an unfamiliar area at home.

• Do not do business with fast-talking people who offer you great deals on the streets; they are almost always scam artists who will take your money.
• Keep your wallets, purses and belongings in front of you at all times.
• Report any suspicious or curious police activity (such as asking for bribes) to Police Complaint hotline at 2866-7700.

Tax Refunds

For the most part, you will not encounter any taxes while you’re in Hong Kong, so a tax refund is unnecessary. There is a 3% tax on hotel rooms, and liquor and cigarettes are also subject to tax, but none of those are refundable.

Visas and Passports

Generally speaking, most visitors will be allowed to enter Hong Kong for 90 days without a visa. British passport holders may stay for 180 days. Should you require a visa you must apply for it before your visit at the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate. The basic cost is $160. Find more information at www.immd.gov.hk.
Before trekking into mainland China you must have a visa.

While you are invited to enjoy yourself, tourist visas do not allow you to become employed, start a business or become enrolled as a student during your stay. Those engagements require a special visa that must be applied for beforehand and you will find that it is difficult to change the status of a visa after your arrival in the region.

Visa Extensions

As mentioned previously, changes to a visa are hard to come by except in the case of hardship or special circumstances like illness, employment, marriage to a local or cancelled flights.

Hotels in Hong Kong, China