Travel Guide to Hong Kong

Location

Hong Kong is located on the east coast of China, sitting just south of the Tropic of Cancer on similar latitudes to Calcutta, Havana, and Hawaii. Surrounding the country’s southern coast is the South China Sea.

Shopping

Hong Kong has the reputation of being every shopper’s paradise. The region boasts a remarkable range of international department stores offering up-to-the-minute designer styles and off-the-peg fashions. Most of these department stores are strategically located in the same vicinity, thus enabling shoppers to find what they are looking for easily and quickly at a reasonable price. Things to buy include jade, jewellery and precious goods, Chinese arts and antiques, tailored clothes, designer fashion and electronic goods.

Bargaining is a popular method of shopping in Hong Kong. However, most department stores and retailers do not practice bargaining, but they will often slash their prices during sales to attract customers.

Geography

Hong Kong stands on volcanic terra firma, with its landscape dominated by hills and mountains. A crest lining from the northeast to southwest forms the backbone of Hong Kong. Kowloon peninsular and the north western New Territories are mainly flat areas. Only three percent of Hong Kong’s total land area is agriculturally cultivated and this is mostly at the New Territories large alluvial plains. A narrow piece of flat land between the mountains and the sea along the north shore in Hong Kong is vacated by most of the country’s population, whereas the south shore has luxury residential buildings and some nice beaches, such as Stanley and Repulse Bays. In total, there are about 234 outlying islands in the territory, with the island of Hong Kong being the most heavily populated.

History

Occupied by the UK in 1841 following the Opium Wars, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year; various adjacent lands were leased later in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China’s socialist economic system will not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defence affairs for the next 50 years. On the surface it would seem that little has changed since the handover and Hong Kong continues to be one of the world’s premiere cities.

Climate

	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Av Temp (F)	67	67	71	77	83	86	89	89	87	83	76	70
Av Temp (C)	20	20	22	26	29	31	32	32	31	29	25	22
Sunshine Hours	5	4	3	4	5	5	8	6	6	7	7	6
Rain (inches)	1	2	3	6	11	16	14	15	12	5	2	1

Hong Kong has a subtropical climate because of the wide temperature range and cooler winters. Even though Hong Kong’s latitude is within the tropics, its seasonal changes are greater than in most places at similar latitudes. Monsoons and seasonal alternation of winds often dominate the climatic system of the country.

Spring occurs in the months of March to the middle of May. Temperature rises ranges from 18° to 27°C (64°-80° F) and humidity averages up to 77 percent. From June to mid September, summer takes over. The weather becomes hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 26° to 33°C (78°-91°F) and humidity level at above 86 percent. The best times to visit Hong Kong would be during autumn and winter when the air is dry and cool. These times are between the months of mid September to February. In autumn, clear sunny days are usually expected and temperatures range from 18° to 28°C (64°-82°F). Humidity averages 72 percent. Winter, on the other hand, starts from mid December to February. January is normally the coldest month. Temperatures can drop from 20°C to about 10°C (50°F), with occasional chills.

Basic Information

Language
Cantonese and English are the official languages of Hong Kong

Currency
Hong Kong Dollar

Electricity
220 volts.

Banks
Major banks are open from 9am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12:30pm on Saturday. The most widely accepted credit cards in Hong Kong are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and JCB.

Driving
Driving is on the left-hand side

Time difference
GMT +8 hours.

Tipping and local customs
Hong Kong is not a particularly tip-conscious place and there is no obligation to tip, say, taxi drivers; just round the fare up. It’s almost mandatory to tip hotel staff at least HKD10.00, and if you make use of the porters at the airport, about HKD2.00 a suitcase is expected. Most hotels and many restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill.

Water
Tap water is safe for drinking.

Visas
No Visa is currently required for British passport holders. This should be re-checked on booking for any changes. Passports should be valid for at least six months after your planned departure date.

Tourist info
www.DiscoverHongKong.com

What makes it so special?

Hong Kong is quite simply one of the planet’s most exciting cities. It boasts a spectacular setting surrounded by water and mountains, a dazzling modern sky line and is a confluence of Western and Eastern cultures and traditions. A shopper’s paradise, Hong Kong offers a wide range of products from consumer electronics to designer fashion brands at bargain prices. The city also boasts outstanding restaurants, eateries and entertainment making it the perfect destination for a city break.

Where to visit?

Hong Kong Island , the territory’s bustling commercial and financial centre.
Victoria Peak for it’s unforgettable views over the city and harbour.
Kowloon on the mainland is host to the Tsim Sha Tsui Peninsula with its spectacular array of restaurants, bars and shops.
The outlying islands icluding Lantau with its giant statue of Buddha.

Most popular tours?

Harbour tour
Victoria Peak
Lantau Island