Population: 7 million

Time Zone:  Hong Kong is 13 hours ahead of New York City and 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles.  When it is 12:00 noon in New York City, it is 1:00AM the following day in Hong Kong.   

Average Temperatures:

 When to Visit

From October to mid-December, the days are warm and the nights are cool and comfortable.  From June to September the weather is very hot and humid, and typhoons sometimes develop from July-September. There s an average of nearly 16 inches of rain during this time. January- March brings pleasant, slightly cooler weather with occasional cold spells.  From March-June the weather is warm, but it is often rainy. 

 Holidays

 January 1                      New Year?s Day

January/February:          Chinese Lunar New Year

Spring                          Good Friday; Easter Monday

April or Early May:         Birthday of Lord Buddha

Early April                     Ching Ming Festival

1 May:                          Labor Day

Mid-Late June               Dragon Boat Festival

1 July                           Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Establishment Day

Early-mid August           Sino Japanese War Victory Day

Late Sept./early Oct.      Mid-Autumn Festival

1 and 2 October            China National Day

Mid-late October           Cheung Yeung Festival

25 and 26 December     Christmas Day and Boxing Day

 Opening Hours:  Offices are open Monday-Friday from 9-5 and on Saturday 9-1.

Banks are open Mon.-Fri. 9-4:30 and Sat. 9-12:30.

Post Offices Mon-Fri. 8-6; Saturday 8-2.

Stores:  Daily 10-6 and often 10-9 in tourist areas

 Currency

The unit of currency is the Hong Kong dollar and comes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000.  Coins are in 10, 20, and 50 cents. 

Electricity

The current is 200/220.  US appliances require a converter and a plug adapter.

 Emergencies:  Call 999

Language:  Hong Kong has two official languages:  Cantonese and English.  While English is spoken widely in business and in tourist areas, it is not always understood by taxi drivers, bus drivers, or when asking directions.  It is advisable to ask the hotel receptionist or concierge to write out your destination in Chinese. 

Getting There

By Air

All flights land at Chek Lap Kok Airport on Lantau Island, 24 miles west of Hong Kong City.  The ultra modern facility consists of eight floors and includes three banks, a money changing facility, several ATMs, a tourist information office, and literally acres of restaurants, shops, and bars.

Airport Express

The Airport Express train (2881 8888) is an efficient and pleasant way of getting into the city.  Trains depart every 10 minutes from 5:50AM to 12:50AM for a low fare.  A same day return costs  the same as a one-way fare. 

By Bus

There is bus service to and from Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island, and the New Territories.

By Cruise Ship

Cruise ships dock in Victoria Harbor on the island of Kowloon near the Star Ferry Pier and the Ocean Terminal. 

By Train

High-speed trains travel from Hung Hom station to Guangzhou several times a day.  There are also rail links to Shanghai and Beijing.  Tickets can be booked up to 60 days in advance from the station in Hung Hom or by phone.

Getting Around    

MTR Train

The MTR train network is fast and easy to use.  Stations have instructions in English and Chinese.  MTR maps are readily available at hotels, the airport, and at the cruise teminal.

Star Ferry:  Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon).  Edinburgh Place, Central (Hong Kong Island).  Sea Front Road, Wan Chai.  The ferry has operated since 1898 and can travel between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island in less than 10 minutes.  The views of the city are spectacular.  Daily 6:30AM-11:30PM.

Trams

Trams run only on Hong Kong Island?s north side.  Destinations are marked on the front in English as well as in Chinese.

Buses

Traveling on buses is not recommended as MTR and Ferry service are said to be more efficient and safer.  If a bus is taken, be sure to have correct fare as change is not given