Hong Kong

Orientation

Hong Kong is a unique world city that blends together pure Chinese culture with British colonial influence. Hailed as one of the most exciting cities in the world, Hong Kong continues its dynamism as a popular business center as well as urban modernity, despite suffering from the Asian economic crisis.

City Facts

• Hong Kong Population: 6,097,000 (Source: UN Population Division 2000 estimate)
• China Population: 1,276,301,000 (Source: UN Population Division 2000 estimate)
• Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
• Time Zone: GMT+8, Eastern Standard Time +13, Pacific Standard Time +16
• Language: Cantonese and English are widely spoken
  

Weather

Weather Forecast

Climate

Sunshine is the main feature in Hong Kong all year round. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit, summer is generally hot and rainy with unbearably high humidity, and winter can be fairly pleasant. Temperatures rarely drop below 15°C (32°F) during winter and peak at a toasty 32°C (89°F) during summer.

Travel Tips

When to Visit - Arts and Events

Both the Chinese Lunar and Western calendars apply in Hong Kong, thus it is only possible to give approximate dates for festivals and events. Taking place some time during March, the Hong Kong Food Festival is the leading Asian culinary event, during which the city fires up with the cooking, eating, experimenting, demonstrating and celebrating of Asian cuisine.

The Tin Hau Taoist Festival takes place in late-April, and it is marked by colourfully decked out junks sailing to various Tin Hau temples to pray for prosperity and good weather.

Meanwhile, the New Year Lantern Festival, which takes place in January and February, is the brightest of the festivals. Chinese lanterns light up every corner in Hong Kong, symbolizing light, home and warmth.

Dining

As Asia’s World city, Hong Kong is a focal point of international cuisine; however, you cannot miss the true Cantonese dining experience while you are in the territory. Widely available on the menus are the standard dishes and the more exotic range of vegetarian dishes or offal dishes. Furthermore, an abundance of street bars, cafes, food stands and market stalls offer their respective specialties around the clock. Visitors are often spoiled for choice, but you should carefully select from the available diners to ensure the best possible dining experience.

Tipping Advice

You are almost expected to tip in Hong Kong. Waiters and waitresses anticipate a tip at around 10% of the bill, and even at restaurants where a 10% service charge is included, you are expected to leave a small amount. Taxi drivers are likely to round up the fare to the next HK dollar and are thankful for some extra.

Transportation

The most popular method of arriving in Hong Kong is by air, though there are numerous ways of traveling to the territory via China.

Arriving by Air

International flights land at the state-of-the-art Hong Kong International Airport, which is connected to the rest of Hong Kong by Airport Express Trains, a major highway and various ferry services.

Getting Around Hong Kong

A comprehensive public transport system, including buses, mini-buses, trains, trams, rails, ferries and taxis, provides visitors with the most effective means of traveling around Hong Kong.

Not only does the Star Ferry let riders enjoy the spectacular views of the Victoria Harbour, it is the most economical way to cut across the harbour. The exquisite double-decker trams and the world-famous Mass Transit Railway (MTR) are also tourist highlights.

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