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Essentials

Business and Trade Services

Business Centers

Hong Kong has many business centers outside hotels, and some are considerably cheaper than hotel facilities. Others cost about the same but offer private desks (from HK$250 per hour for desk space to upward of HK$8,000 a month for a serviced office). Amenities include a private address and phone-answering and forwarding services. Many centers are affiliated with accountants and lawyers who can expedite company registration. Some will even process visas and wrap gifts for you.

Harbour International Business Centre provides typing, secretarial support, and office rentals. Reservations aren’t required. The Executive Centre and Regus are two international business services companies with several office locations in Hong Kong. They provide secretarial services, meeting and conference facilities, and office rentals. You can rent conference and meeting rooms at the American Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber also hosts regular Breakfast and Learn workshops, luncheons, seminars, and monthly networking cocktail gatherings.

Convention Center

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) is a state-of-the-art, five-level complex located on the Wan Chai waterfront. The HKCEC houses six exhibition halls, two convention halls, two theaters, and 52 meeting rooms, totaling 920,000 square meters of rentable function space. The center is adjacent to the Convention Plaza, which includes the 825-room Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel, the 549-room Grand Hyatt, office and residential towers, a shopping arcade, and an underground parking garage. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) regularly organizes trade fairs, some of which are Asia’s largest, at the Convention Centre.

Information Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. | 1 Expo Dr., Wan Chai, | Hong Kong, Hong Kong–China | 2582–8888 | www.hkcec.com.hk.

Messengers

Most business centers offer delivery service, and you can sometimes arrange a delivery through your hotel concierge. Courier services such as City-Link International will pick up from your hotel, as will FedEx and DHL, who also have drop-off points all over Hong Kong. Price is based on weight and distance. Hong Kong Post also has a dependable and speedy courier service. You can drop off your package at a post office or at any one of the local courier post boxes in the city.

Information City-Link International Courier Co. Ltd. | 2382–8289 | www.citylinkexpress.com.

Trade Information

Information Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. | 2529–9229 | www.chamber.org.hk. Hong Kong Trade Development Council. | 1830–668 | www.hktdc.com. Hong Kong Trade and Industry Department. | 2392–2922 | www.tid.gov.hk. Innovation and Technology Commission. | 3655–5856 | www.itc.gov.hk.

Translation Services

Information Polyglot Translations. | 2851–7232 | www.polyglot.com.hk. Translation Business. | 2893–5000 | www.translationbusiness.com.hk. Venture Language Training. | 2507–4985 | www.languageventure.com.

Communications

Internet

Going online is easy in Hong Kong. Free public Wi-Fi is now available at more than 400 locations, including public libraries, museums, large parks, indoor markets, MTR stations, ferry terminals, and popular tourist spots. Some buses, including those to and from the airport, also provide free Wi-Fi onboard—look for the Webus sticker by the door. Public libraries and many MTR stations also provide free access to computer terminals. Many fast-food outlets, cafés, and shopping malls offer free Wi-Fi service.

Pacific Coffee and Mix cafés have computer terminals; there is usually a 15-minute limit on computer use, and you’ll need to buy food or a beverage first. Internet cafés, or cybercafés, can be found tucked away in small, hard-to-find corners of Wan Chai, Mong Kok, and Tsim Sha Tsui. PCCW, the Hong Kong–based communications company, has more than 10,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in the city, including areas near universities, convenience stores, public phones, and shopping malls. You can buy a 24-hour Wi-Fi prepaid pass for HK$20 or a 30-day pass for HK$158 at 7-Eleven and Circle K convenience stores, as well as all PCCW shops.

Phones

The good news is that you can now make a direct-dial telephone call from virtually any point on earth. The bad news? You can’t always do so cheaply. Calling overseas from a hotel is almost always the most expensive option; hotels usually add huge surcharges to all calls, particularly international ones. In some countries you can phone from call centers or even the post office. Calling cards usually keep costs to a minimum, but only if you purchase them locally. And then there are mobile phones, which are sometimes more prevalent—particularly in the developing world—than landlines; as expensive as mobile-phone calls can be, they are still usually a much cheaper option than calling from your hotel.

Hong Kong was the first city in the world with a fully digitized local phone network, and the service is efficient and cheap. Even international calls are inexpensive relative to those in the United States. You can expect clear connections and helpful directory assistance. Don’t hang up if you hear Cantonese when calling automated and prerecorded hotlines; English is usually the second or third language option. The country code for Hong Kong is 852; there are no local area codes.

Calling Within Hong Kong

Hong Kong phone numbers have eight digits: landline numbers usually start with a 2 or 3; mobiles with a 9, 6, or 5.

If you’re old enough to talk in Hong Kong, you’re old enough for a cell phone, which means public phones can be difficult to find; MTR stations usually have one. Local calls to both land- and cell lines cost HK$1 per five minutes. If you’re planning to call abroad from a pay phone, buy a phone card. Convenience stores such as 7-Eleven sell stored-value phone cards (a PIN-activated card you can use from any phone). Some pay phones accept credit cards.

Some hotels may charge as much as HK$5 for a local call, while a few others include them for free in your room rate. Restaurants and shopkeepers may let you use their phone for free, as the phone company doesn’t charge for individual local calls.

Dial 1081 for directory assistance from English-speaking operators; dial 10013 for international inquiries and for assistance with direct dialing; dial 10010 for collect and operator-assisted calls to most countries, including the United States; and dial 10011 for credit-card, collect, and international conference calls. If a number is constantly busy and you think it might be out of order, call 109 and the operator will check the line. The operators are very helpful, if you speak slowly and clearly.

Calling Outside Hong Kong

International rates from Hong Kong are reasonable, even more so between 9 pm and 8 am. The international dial code is 001, followed by the country code.

The country code is 1 for the United States.

So to call the United States you dial 0011. You can dial direct from many hotel and business centers, but always with a hefty surcharge.

Access Codes AT&T Direct. | 800/96–1111 in Hong Kong. MCI. | 800/96–1121 in Hong Kong.

Mobile Phones

If you have a multiband phone (some countries use different frequencies than what’s used in the United States) and your service provider uses the world-standard GSM network (as do T-Mobile and Verizon), you can probably use your phone abroad. Roaming fees can be steep, however—99¢ a minute is considered reasonable—and overseas you normally pay the toll charges for incoming calls. It’s almost always cheaper to send a text message than to make a call, since text messages have a very low set fee (often less than 5¢).

To save on local and even international calls, consider buying a new prepaid rechargeable SIM card (note that your provider may have to unlock your phone for you to use a different SIM card). You’ll then have a local number and can make local calls at local rates and cheaper international calls using a phone card.

TIP If you travel internationally frequently, save one of your old mobile phones or buy a cheap one; ask your cell-phone company to unlock it for you, and take it with you as a travel phone, buying a new SIM card with pay-as-you-go service in each destination.

Most GSM-compatible mobile handsets work in Hong Kong. If you can unlock your phone, buying a SIM card locally is the cheapest and easiest way to make calls. Local phone company PCCW sells them from around HK$50 from their shops and in convenience stores. Local calls cost around HK$0.25 a minute.

Otherwise, you can rent handsets from CSL (HK$35 per day with a HK$500 refundable deposit) with prepaid SIM cards (HK$48–HK$180). There’s a stand at the airport and shops all over town. If you’re in town for a week, this is a good-value option.

Cellular Abroad rents and sells GSM phones and sells SIM cards that work in many countries. Mobal and PlanetFone rent and lease mobiles and lease GSM phones (starting at $49) that will operate in countries around the world, though per-call rates vary and can be expensive.

Local Dos and Taboos

Customs of the Country

Face is ever important in Hong Kong. Never say anything that will make people look bad, especially in front of superiors. However, you’ll find that locals are comfortable commenting on things like weight and appearance that Westerners may balk at. Take it in stride; it’s not meant maliciously. Hong Kongers like to talk about money—salaries, stocks, insurance, and real estate—so don’t be surprised to be asked about these things.

Greetings

Hong Kongers aren’t touchy-feely. Be discreet. Stick to handshakes and low-key greetings.

Sightseeing

By and large Hong Kongers are a rule-abiding bunch. Avoid jaywalking, eating on public transport, and feeding birds. Legislation has banned smoking in restaurants, most bars, workplaces, schools, and even public areas such as beaches, sport grounds, and parks. A whopping fine of HK$1,500 should deter even the most diehard smoker. Littering is also frowned upon, and it’s not unusual to see police handing fines (also HK$1,500) out to litterbugs. Hong Kong is crowded; most people walk quite fast on the street. When on escalators, make sure you stand on the right side, leaving the left side for those who are in a hurry.

Out on the Town

Meals are a communal event, so food in a Chinese restaurant is always shared. You usually have a small bowl or plate in which to transfer food from the center platters. Although cutlery is common in Hong Kong, chopsticks are ubiquitous. Be sure not to mistake the communal serving chopsticks (usually black or a different color) with your own.

It’s fine to hold the bowl close to your mouth and shovel in the contents. Slurping up soup and noodles is acceptable, as is picking your teeth with a toothpick while covering it with your other hand when you’re done. Avoid leaving your chopsticks standing up in a bowl of rice—they look like the two incense sticks burned at funerals.

Young Hong Kongers dress quite smartly when going out on the town.

Doing Business

Make appointments well in advance and be punctual. Hong Kongers have a keen sense of hierarchy in the office. Let the tea lady get the tea and coffee—that’s what she’s there for. If you’re visiting in a group, let the senior member lead proceedings.

Suits are the norm, regardless of the outside temperature. Local businesswomen are immaculately groomed. Pants are acceptable.

When entertaining, locals may insist on paying: after a slight protest, accept, as this lets them gain face. Conversely, you can insist on paying for drinks or a meal to signal your gratitude for the hospitality you’ve received.

Business cards are a big deal: not having one is like not having a personality. If possible, have yours printed in English on one side and Chinese on the other. Proffer your card with both hands, and receive one in the same way, handling it with respect.

Customs and Duties

You’re allowed to bring goods of a certain value back home without having to pay duty or import tax. But there’s a limit on the amount of tobacco and liquor you can bring back duty-free, and some countries have separate limits for perfumes; for exact figures, check with your customs department. When you shop abroad, save all your receipts, as customs inspectors may ask to see them along with the items you purchased. If the total value of your goods is more than the duty-free limit, you’ll have to pay a tax (most often a flat percentage) on the value of everything beyond that limit.

Except for the usual prohibitions against endangered species, narcotics, explosives, firearms, and ammunition, and limits on alcohol, tobacco products, and perfume, you can bring anything you want into Hong Kong, including an unlimited amount of money. Visitors may bring in, duty-free, 19 cigarettes or 1 cigar or 25 grams of tobacco, and 1 liter of alcohol.

Information in Hong Kong Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department. | 2815–7711, 2545–6182 customs hotline | www.customs.gov.hk.

U.S. Information U.S. Customs and Border Protection. | 877/227–5511 | www.cbp.gov.

Electricity

The current in Hong Kong is 220 volts, 50 cycles alternating current (AC), so most American appliances can’t be used without a transformer. Exceptions are most laptops and mobile phone chargers, which are dual voltage (i.e., they operate equally well on 110 and 220 volts), and thus require only an adapter. The same may be true of some hair dryers and other small appliances. Always check labels and manufacturer instructions to be sure. Don’t use 110-volt outlets marked “for shavers only” for high-wattage appliances such as hair dryers.

Most plugs have three square prongs, like British plugs, but you can buy adapters in just about every supermarket and at electronics stalls in street markets. If you travel frequently, consider making a small investment in a universal adapter, which has several types of plugs in one lightweight, compact unit.

Walkabout Travel Gear has a good coverage of electricity under “adapters.”

Contacts Walkabout Travel Gear. | 800/852–7085 in U.S. | www.walkabouttravelgear.com.

Emergencies

Locals and police are usually very helpful in emergencies. Most officers speak some English or will contact someone who does. For police, fire, and ambulance, dial 999. There are 24-hour accident and emergency services at Caritas, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary, Ruttonjee, and Tseung Kwan O hospitals. The following hospitals also have 24-hour pharmacies: Pamela Youde, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Mary. Local drugstore/pharmacy chains Watsons and Mannings have shops throughout the city; closing times generally vary between 7:30 pm and 10:30 pm. Most private hospitals in Hong Kong have only primary and secondary medical services. Government-run public hospitals cover all three types. Most treatments in public hospitals are heavily subsidized or free.

Consulate U.S. Consulate General. | 26 Garden Rd., Central, | Hong Kong, Hong Kong–China | 2523–9011 | hongkong.usconsulate.gov.

General Emergency Contacts Police, fire, and ambulance. | 999. Hong Kong Police Hotline. | 2527–7177.

Pharmacies Mannings. | 2299–3381 | www.mannings.com.hk/eng. Watsons. | 2608–8383 | watsons.com.hk.

Government Advisories

As different countries have different worldviews, look at travel advisories from a range of governments to get a sense of what’s going on out there. Be sure to parse the language carefully. For example, a warning to “avoid all travel” carries more weight than one urging you to “avoid nonessential travel,” and both are much stronger than a plea to “exercise caution.” A U.S.-government travel warning is more permanent (though not necessarily more serious) than a so-called public announcement, which carries an expiration date.

The U.S. Department of State’s website, posts travel warnings and advisories, as well as consular information sheets issued for every country that contain general safety tips, entry requirements (though be sure to verify these with the country’s embassy), and other useful details.

TIP Consider registering online with the State Department (https://travelregistration.state.gov), so the government will know to look for you should a crisis occur in the country you’re visiting.

General Information and Warnings U.S. Department of State. | 888/407–4747 in U.S., 202/501–4444 from outside U.S. | www.travel.state.gov.

Health

It’s a good idea to be immunized against typhoid and hepatitis A and B, and in winter, a flu vaccination is also advisable, especially if you’re infection-prone or are a senior citizen. Speak with your physician and/or check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or World Health Organization (WHO) websites for health alerts, particularly if you’re pregnant, traveling with children, or have a chronic illness.

Water from government mains satisfies WHO standards, but most locals don’t drink water straight from the tap. Expect to pay HK$10 to HK$20 for a 1½-liter bottle of distilled or mineral water, or drink boiled tap water.

Condoms can help prevent most sexually transmitted diseases, but they aren’t absolutely reliable, and their quality varies from country to country.

Health Warnings Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). | 800/232–4636 24-hr hotline in U.S. | www.cdc.gov/travel. World Health Organization. | www.who.int.

Hong Kong–Specific Issues

Large-scale health threats in Hong Kong in recent years have included an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003, intermittent fears over Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 (avian flu), and H1N1 (swine flu) in 2009. A massive awareness program stopped the spread of the illnesses, but it’s worth checking to be sure there have been no new outbreaks.

SARS, also known as atypical pneumonia, is a respiratory illness caused by a strain of coronavirus that was first reported in parts of Asia in early 2003. Symptoms include a fever higher than 100.4°F (38°C), shortness of breath, and other flulike symptoms. The disease is thought to spread by close person-to-person contact, particularly respiratory droplets and secretions transmitted through the eyes, nose, or mouth. To prevent SARS, the Hong Kong Health Department recommends maintaining good personal hygiene, washing hands frequently, and wearing a face mask in crowded public places. SARS hasn’t returned to Hong Kong, but many experts believe that it or other contagious, upper-respiratory viruses will continue to be a seasonal health concern. It is also worth noting that the World Health Organization declared Hong Kong SARS-free in 2003.

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a form of influenza that affects birds (including poultry) but can be passed to humans. It causes initial flu symptoms, followed by respiratory and organ failure. Although rare, it’s often lethal. The Hong Kong government now exercises strict control over poultry farms and markets, and there are signs warning against contact with birds. Pay heed to warnings, and make sure that any poultry or eggs you consume are well cooked.

In May 2009 Hong Kong’s response level to Influenza A (H1N1), commonly known as swine flu, was raised from “serious” to “emergency” when a man traveling from Mexico through Shanghai to Hong Kong was confirmed to be the first case found in the city—and the first case in Asia. The patient was isolated in a hospital, while the 173-room Metropark Hotel in Wan Chai where he had been staying was quarantined for a week. In June 2009 all primary schools, kindergartens, and special schools were closed for two weeks; by November 2009 more than 32,300 people in Hong Kong had tested positive for the virus, of which the overwhelming majority were under the age of 14. In May 2010 the response level was lowered from “emergency” to “alert,” with the public advised to stay vigilant and continue to practice good personal and environmental hygiene habits.

All government and most commercial buildings now have hand-sanitizing dispensers by the lifts, and doors and other frequently touched areas are cleaned regularly. You’ll also see people wearing face masks when they’re ill to avoid infecting others.

Local Health Information Department of Health Hotline. | 2961–8989 | www.dh.gov.hk. Travel Health Service. | 2961–8840 on Hong Kong Island, 2150–7235 in Kowloon | www.travelhealth.gov.hk.

Over-the-Counter Remedies

You can easily find most familiar over-the-counter medications (like aspirin and ibuprofen) in pharmacies such as Watsons or Mannings, and usually in supermarkets and convenience stores, too. Acetaminophen—or Tylenol—is often locally known as paracetamol. Oral contraceptives are also available without prescription at Chinese pharmacies.

Hours of Operation

Banks are open weekdays from 9 to 4:30 and Saturday from 9 to 12:30. Office hours are generally from 9 to 5 or 6, although working longer hours is common. Some offices are open from 9 to noon on Saturday. Lunch hour is 1 pm to 2 pm; don’t be surprised if offices close during lunchtime. Museums and sights are usually open six days a week from 9 to 5. Each site picks a different day, usually a Monday or Tuesday, to close. Pharmacies are generally open from about 10 am until about 9 or 10 pm. For 24-hour pharmacies, go to Pamela Youde, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary, Tuen Mun, or United Christian Hospital

Holidays

Public holidays in Hong Kong are: New Year’s (January 1), Chinese New Year (three days in late January/early February), Ching Ming (April 4 or 5), Good Friday and Easter Monday (April), Labor Day (May 1), Buddha’s Birthday (May), Dragon Boat Festival (late May/early June), Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day (July 1), Mid-Autumn Festival (late September/early October), National Day (October 1), Chung Yeung (October), and Christmas and Boxing Day (December 25 and 26).

Mail

Hong Kong’s postal system is efficient and inexpensive. Airmail letters to any place in the world should take three to eight days. The Kowloon Central Post Office in Yau Ma Tei is open 9:30 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday and 9:30 am to 1 pm on Saturday; the General Post Office in Central is open 8 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday and 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday and holidays. All other post offices are open from 9:30 am to 5 pm on weekdays and 9:30 am to 1 pm on Saturdays.

Airmail sent from Hong Kong is classified by destination into one of two zones. Zone 1 covers all of Asia except Japan. Zone 2 is everywhere else. International airmail costs HK$2.40 (Zone 1) or HK$3 (Zone 2) for a letter or postcard weighing less than 20 grams. To send a letter within Hong Kong, the cost is HK$1.40. The post office also has an overnight international courier service called Speedpost.

Shipping Packages

Packages sent via airmail to the United States can take up to two weeks. Airmail shipments to the United Kingdom—both packages and letters—arrive within three to five days, while mail to Australia often arrives in as little as three days.

You are probably best off shipping your own parcels instead of letting shop owners do this for you, both to save money and to ensure that you are actually shipping what you purchased and not a quick substitute—though most shop owners are honest and won’t try to cheat you in this way. The workers at Hong Kong Post are extremely friendly, and will sell you all the packaging equipment you need, at unbelievably reasonable prices. Large international couriers in Hong Kong include DHL and Federal Express.

Express Services DHL. | 2400–3388 | www.dhl.com.hk. Federal Express. | 2730–3333 | www.fedex.com/hk_english.

Money

Very few shops or restaurants accept U.S. dollars, so either change in bulk or draw Hong Kong dollars direct from an ATM. Traveler’s checks aren’t accepted in most shops, and can be a pain to cash—avoid them, if possible. Getting change for large bills isn’t usually a problem.

Prices throughout this guide are given for adults. On public transport and for attractions, reduced fees are almost always available for children, students, and senior citizens.

TIP Banks never have every foreign currency on hand, and it may take as long as a week to order. If you’re planning to exchange funds before leaving home, don’t wait until the last minute.

ATMs and Banks

Your own bank will probably charge a fee for using ATMs abroad; the foreign bank you use may also charge a fee. Nevertheless, you’ll usually get a better rate of exchange at an ATM than you will at a currency-exchange office or when changing money in a bank. And withdrawing funds as you need them is a safer option than carrying around a large amount of cash.

Reliable, safe ATMs are widely available throughout Hong Kong. MTR stations are a good place to look, where you’ll always find at least one Hang Seng Bank ATM. If your card was issued from a bank in an English-speaking country, the instructions on the ATM machine will appear in English.

TIP PINs with more than four digits are not recognized at ATMs in many countries. If yours has five or more, remember to change it before you leave.

Credit Cards

Major credit cards are widely accepted in Hong Kong, though they may not be accepted at small shops, and in some shops you get better rates paying in cash. When adding tips to restaurant bills, be sure to write “HK$” and not just “$.”

It’s a good idea to inform your credit-card company before you travel, especially if you’re going abroad. Otherwise, the company might put a hold on your card owing to unusual activity—not a good thing at the beginning of your trip. Record all your credit-card numbers—as well as the phone numbers to call if your cards are lost or stolen—in a safe place, so you’re prepared should something go wrong. Both MasterCard and Visa have general numbers you can call (collect if you’re abroad) if your card is lost, but you’re better off calling the number of your issuing bank, as MasterCard and Visa usually just transfer you to your bank; your bank’s number is usually printed on your card.

Although it’s often cheaper (and safer) to use a credit card rather than cash for large purchases you make abroad (so you can cancel payments or be reimbursed if there’s a problem), note that some credit-card companies and the banks that issue them add substantial percentages to all foreign transactions, whether they’re in a foreign currency or not. Check on these fees before leaving home, so there won’t be any surprises when you get the bill. If you plan to use your credit card for cash advances, you’ll need to apply for a PIN at least two weeks before your trip—but remember, most banks charge heavily for issuing cash advances.

TIP Before you charge something, ask the merchant whether he or she plans to do a dynamic currency conversion (DCC). In such a transaction the credit-card processor (shop, restaurant, or hotel, not Visa or MasterCard) converts the currency and charges you in U.S. dollars. In most cases you’ll pay the merchant a 3% fee for this service in addition to any credit-card company and issuing-bank foreign-transaction surcharges. Plus, the exchange rate is often less favorable than that offered by the credit-card company.

Dynamic currency conversion programs are becoming increasingly widespread. Merchants who participate in them are supposed to ask whether you want to be charged in dollars or the local currency, but they don’t always do so. And even if they do offer you a choice, they may well avoid mentioning the additional surcharges. The good news is that you do have a choice. You can avoid the potentially costly practice altogether thanks to American Express; with its cards, DCC simply isn’t an option.

Currency and Exchange

The only currency used is the Hong Kong dollar, divided into 100 cents. There are bronze-color coins for 10, 20, and 50 cents; silver-color ones for 1, 2, and 5 dollars; and chunky bimetallic 10-dollar pieces. Bills can be confusing, as there are a range of designs and issuing banks. There are new purple and a few remaining older green $HK10 bills in circulation, as well as bills for HK$20 (blue-green), HK$50 (purple), HK$100 (red), HK$500 (brown), and HK$1,000 (yellow). Don’t be surprised if two bills of the same value look different: three local banks (HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Bank of China) all issue bills, and each has its own design. Although the image of Queen Elizabeth II doesn’t appear on new coins, old ones bearing her image are still valid.

The Hong Kong dollar has been pegged to the U.S. dollar at an exchange rate of HK$7.8 to US$1 since 1983. You can exchange currency at the airport, in hotels, in banks, and through private money changers scattered through the tourist areas. Banks usually have the best rates, but as they charge a fee of up to HK$50 for non-account holders, it’s best to change large sums infrequently. Currency exchange offices do not charge fees, and they are open at conveniently late hours, but the rate of exchange is usually less favorable than it is at banks. Withdrawing money from your account at ATMs may be the least expensive option

Packing

Appearances in Hong Kong are important. This is a city where suits are still de rigueur for meetings and business functions, and women are expected to look elegant (or at least trendy). Slop around in flip-flops and shorts and you will feel there’s a neon “tourist” sign over your head. Pack your nicer pairs of jeans, slacks, or skirts for sightseeing—there are plenty of fake handbags around to dress them up with if you’re going to a nice restaurant.

From May through September conditions are seriously hot and sticky, but air-conditioning in hotels, restaurants, museums, and movie theaters can be arctic—keep a crushproof sweater or shawl in your bag or pack. Don’t forget your swimsuit and sunscreen; many large hotels have pools, and you may want to spend some time on one of Hong Kong’s many beaches. In October, November, March, and April, a jacket or sweater should suffice, but from December through February bring a light overcoat, preferably waterproof. Compact folding umbrellas can come in handy to protect against either rain or sun, but hotels will also lend you larger ones for the day.

Passports and Visas

Citizens of the United States need only a valid passport to enter Hong Kong for stays up to three months. You need at least six months’ validity on your passport before traveling to Asia. All minors regardless of age, including newborns and infants, must also have their own passports. Upon arrival, officials at passport control will give you a Hong Kong entry slip. Keep this slip safe; you must present it with your passport for your return trip home. If you’re planning to pop over the border into mainland China, you must first get a visa.

Passports

U.S. passports are valid for 10 years for adults, five years for minors under 16. You must apply in person if you’re getting a passport for the first time; if your previous passport was lost, stolen, or damaged; if your previous passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago; or if your previous passport was issued when you were under 16. All children under 18 must appear in person to apply for or renew a passport. Both parents must accompany any child under 16 and provide proof of their relationship to the child.

The cost to apply for a new passport is $135 for adults, $120 for children under 16; adults (over 16) may renew passports for $110. Allow four to six weeks for processing, both for first-time passports and renewals. For an expediting fee of $60 you can reduce this time to two to three weeks. If your trip is less than two weeks away, you can get a passport even more rapidly by going to a passport office with the necessary documentation. Private expediters can get things done in as little as 24 hours, but charge hefty fees.

TIP Before your trip, make two copies of your passport’s data page (one for someone at home and another for you to carry separately). Or scan the page and email it to someone at home and/or yourself.

Visas

A visa is essentially formal permission to enter a country. Visas allow countries to keep track of you and other visitors—and generate revenue (from application fees). You always need a visa to enter a foreign country; however, many countries routinely issue tourist visas on arrival, particularly to U.S. citizens. When your passport is stamped or scanned in the immigration line, you’re actually being issued a visa. Sometimes you have to stand in a separate line and pay a small fee to get your stamp before going through immigration, but you can still do this at the airport on arrival. Getting a visa isn’t always that easy. Some countries require that you arrange for one in advance of your trip. There’s usually—but not always—a fee involved, and said fee may be nominal ($10 or less) or substantial ($100 or more).

If you must apply for a visa in advance, you can usually do it in person or by mail. When you apply by mail, you send your passport to a designated consulate, where your passport will be examined and the visa issued. Expediters—usually the same ones who handle expedited passport applications—can do all the work of obtaining your visa for you; however, there’s always an additional cost (often more than $50 per visa).

Most visas limit you to a single trip—basically during the actual dates of your planned vacation. Other visas allow you to visit as many times as you wish for a specific period of time. Remember that requirements change, sometimes at the drop of a hat, and the burden is on you to make sure that you have the appropriate visas. Otherwise, you’ll be turned away at the airport or, worse, deported after you arrive in the country. No company or travel insurer gives refunds if your travel plans are disrupted because you didn’t have the correct visa.

Travel agents in Hong Kong can issue visas to visit mainland China and arrange trips; China Travel Service has more than 20 branches all over Hong Kong. Generally, expect to wait two to three days; Americans will pay a fee of about US$160. If you apply for a China visa before leaving home, the wait time is usually four to five days and the fee is US$140.

China Visa Information Chinese Consulate in New York. | 212/244–9456 | www.nyconsulate.prchina.org/eng. Chinese Embassy in the U.S. | 202/338–6688, 202/337–1956 | www.china-embassy.org/eng.

Hong Kong General Information Hong Kong Immigration Department. | 2824–6111 | www.immd.gov.hk.

Hong Kong Travel Agents China Travel Service. | 2315–7171 | www.ctshk.com.

U.S. Passport Information U.S. Department of State. | 877/487–2778 | travel.state.gov/passport.

U.S. Passport and Visa Expediters A. Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors. | 800/806–0581, 202/338–0111 | www.abriggs.com. American Passport Express. | 800/455–5166 in U.S. | www.americanpassport.com. Travel Document Systems. | 800/874–5100 in Washington D.C., 877/874–5104 in New York, 888/874–5100 in San Francisco | www.traveldocs.com. Travel the World Visas. | 866/886–8472 | www.world-visa.com.

Restrooms

Big shopping malls, especially high-end ones, are your best bet for clean toilets that are well-stocked with toilet paper. If there isn’t one nearby, you will likely find public toilets near indoor markets, parks, and MTR stations (a handy guide in the “Getting Around” section of the MTR website lists toilets near stations (; however, only a few stations have toilets inside. It’s best to carry tissue paper with you, and don’t expect to find tampon or sanitary napkin dispensers in Hong Kong toilets.

Safety

Aside from a few random acid attacks in Mong Kok and Causeway Bay a few years back, Hong Kong is an incredibly safe place—day and night. The police do a good job maintaining law and order, but there are still a few pickpockets about, especially in Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok. So exercise the same caution you would in any large city: be aware and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or valuables with you, and you should have no problems.

Nearly all consumer dissatisfaction in Hong Kong stems from the electronics retailers in Tsim Sha Tsui. Get some reference prices online before buying, and always check the contents of boxed items before you leave the shop. Have a good idea of what you’re looking for before you shop, and keep all receipts.

TIP Distribute your cash, credit cards, IDs, and other valuables between a deep front pocket, an inside jacket or vest pocket, and a hidden money pouch. Don’t reach for the money pouch once you’re in public.

Taxes

Hong Kong levies a 10% service charge and a 3% government tax on hotel rooms. There’s no other sales tax or V.A.T.

Time

Hong Kong is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. There is no daylight savings time in Hong Kong, so remember to add an hour to the time difference between the U.S. or other countries that observe it.

Time Zones Timeanddate.com. | www.timeanddate.com/worldclock.

Tipping

Tipping isn’t a big part of Hong Kong culture. Hotels and restaurants usually add a 10% service charge; however, in almost all cases, this money does not go to the waiters and waitresses. In restaurants, add on up to 10% more for good service, or simply round up the tab. In hotels, tip bellhops and other helpful staff members. Tipping restroom attendants is common, but it is generally not the custom to leave an additional tip in taxis and beauty salons, and unheard of in theaters and cinemas.

Visitor Info

The Standard is a free English-language tabloid focused on business that you can pick up at MTR stations, and the South China Morning Post is Hong Kong’s leading local English-language daily. Time Out Hong Kong is the local edition of the well-known city guide magazine.

Online Travel Tools

For a guide to what’s happening in Hong Kong, check out the Hong Kong Tourist Board’s excellent site. For weather info, check out the Hong Kong Observatory. For political information plus news and interesting business links, try the Hong Kong government site.

Business in Hong Kong is a government-run site packed with advice, and Centamap provides online Hong Kong street maps so detailed they give street numbers and building names.

For cultural activities check out HK magazine, the online version of a free weekly rag with the lowdown on just about everything happening in town. The government portal Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is a useful resource that provides access to the websites of all of Hong Kong’s museums and parks, as well as information on special events and festivals. You can also book tickets directly online at the LCSD site. Time Out Hong Kong online offers both features and detailed listings.

To discover bars and restaurants, try the online guide Eat Drink Hong Kong or Openrice.com, a popular site where locals rate and discuss restaurants. GLB Hong Kong is a catchall site to gay and lesbian resources and venues. Geoexpat collects wisdom from Hong Kong’s large expat community. Hong Kong Outdoors is the authority on hiking, camping, and all things wild in Hong Kong. Love HK Film reviews the latest Hong Kong and mainland releases.

For currency conversion, go to Google and type in the amount and currencies to be converted (e.g., “600 HKD to USD”). XE.com also provides quick and straightforward currency conversion. Oanda.com offers comprehensive currency exchange rates and provides money transfers and other services.

Cultural Activities HK Magazine. | hk.asia-city.com. Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department. | www.lcsd.gov.hk. Time Out Hong Kong. | www.timeout.com.hk.

Currency Conversion Google. | www.google.com. Oanda.com. | www.oanda.com. XE.com. | www.xe.com.

Newspapers South China Morning Post. | www.scmp.com. The Standard. | www.thestandard.com.hk.

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