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HONG KONGHong Kong, population 6.9 million, is a city of energy! It is international -- a city of East and West blending together. However, do not be mistaken, Hong Kong is truly a Chinese city with ninety six percent of the population ethnic Chinese, two percent Filipino, Indonesian, Indians, Pakistanis and Nepalese, and the other two percent is everyone else. Hong Kong’s official languages are English and Chinese. Cantonese is most commonly spoken; however, Mandarin (known as Putonghua in Hong Kong), the official language of China, is also widely spoken. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is fantastic. There is a wealth
of free, excellent information for travelers. You may visit HKTB’s
homepage at www.hktb.org. One of your first
stops at the Hong Kong International Airport (www.hkairport.com)
should be the tourist information center (open from 7:00 to 23:00).
The main HKTA office is located in the Central District at 99 Queen's
Road Central – about a 10-minute walk west of Star Ferry pier
and Central MTS station. In Hong Kong, you may call the HKTB Visitor
Hotline (852 - 2508 1234).
TRAVELEntry RequirementsA valid passport is the only document most attendees will need to enter Hong Kong. Keep your passport in a inconspicuous, safe place, and carry your passport with you. If you lose your passport, immediately contact the nearest embassy or consulate and the local police. If you plan for a trip to mainland China, you’ll need a visa. Visa's can be obtained in Hong Kong – (one photo and 3 working days). Travel Service issues China visas for HK$150 or HK$300 to process within 24 hours. Citizens of most countries may visit Macau without a visa. AirHong Kong International Airport is one of the largest and most modern in the world. There are more than 40 airlines from around the world that fly into the airport at Chek Lap Kok. HKIA, referred to as Chek Lap Kok, is well marked and employs a very helpful staff. Carriers to Hong Kong include: Asiana, British Airways, Canadian, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Airlines, Continental, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Northwest Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic Check-in & BoardingYou will need to check in at least two hours before departing from Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok <www.hkairport.com>. If you plan on taking the train to the airport, you may check your luggage at the Airport Express Railway Hong Kong Station or Kowloon Station. For this wonderful, time-saving service, you will need to check in at least three hours in advance. The Airport Express is convenient in-town check-in. You may check your luggage, and get your boarding pass whilst still downtown. Check in as early as possible and bring your government-issued photo I.D. to the airport -- your passport is best. Some people check in early in the day and board the train later on. Please remember to retain your Hong Kong entry slip that you receive
from the customs official at the passport control. You will need
to return this slip of paper when you present your passport on your
return flight home.
CLIMATEHong Kong is a subtropical location. In autumn (September to November)
the range of temperature is between 60°F (16°C) and 80°F (27°C)
with the humidity about 84%. October is one of the best times to
visit Hong Kong. It is very pleasant and there is plenty of sunshine.
The average temperature is 74°F (23°C) and the average humidity
is 82%. There are seldom typhoons during October. You want to make
sure that you have a clear day to visit Victoria Peak! <www.weather.gov.hk>
GETTING INTO TOWNAirport Express: This is the quickest and most efficient way to get to downtown Hong Kong. After you pass customs and enter the hall, this station is straight ahead. The trains run every 10 minutes and take about 20 minutes to reach Kowloon Station. One-way fare to or from Hong Kong Station (Central) is HK$100; and to or from Kowloon Station, HK$90. Round trip tickets (valid for one month) cost HK$180 for Central and HK$160 for Kowloon. (Enquiry: 852-28818888) <www.mtr.com.hk> Airport Express Shuttle: Free shuttle service transports Airport Express passengers between all major hotels, key transport interchanges, and Hong Kong or Kowloon Stations.
Airbus: This is a convenient and comfortable way to access to major locations in Hong Kong and Kowloon. The buses on the following five routes run at frequent intervals and the fares are competitive.
Taxis: They can take you to anywhere from the airport. But you need to get the red taxi when going from the airport to urban areas. For a red taxi, the minimum fare is HK$15 for the first 2 kilometers. Additional fare of HK$1.40 is chargeable for every 200 meters thereafter, and the same is charged for waiting time per minute. Taxis also charge HK$5.00 per piece of baggage. Taxi passengers using the Lantau Link are required to pay an additional toll fare of HK$30, and additional fares are also charged for using toll tunnels. It takes about 40 minutes to go to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from the airport. The approximate fare is HK$380. For further details of the transport to/from the airport, please
visit http://www.hkairport.com/eng/aguide/transport.html.
CURRENCYThe Hong Kong dollar ($) and the cent are the units of currency. The dollar is divided into 100 cents. Bills come in denominations of 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, and 10 dollars. Coins are 10, 5, 2, and 1 dollar and 50, 20, and 10 cents. Bank notes are issued by the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Bank of China, or the Standard Chartered Bank. Credit cards taken are usually American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, and Visa. There are many automatic teller machines throughout Hong Kong, and they are reliable and safe. They offer a wide range of services. To draw money from a Hong Kong ATM with either a credit or a debit card, you must have a four-digit personal identification number – be sure you have that before traveling to Hong Kong. Exchange places charge a fee (inquire as to the amount) for changing money and cashing traveler's cheques. You can exchange currency at the airport, hotels, banks, and with
private money changers. However, banks will probably provide you
with the best rates. (You may want to get a bit of local currency
before you leave your home to avoid lines at airport exchange booths.)
VISA REQUIREMENTSTo check whether
you need a visa to visit Hong Kong or not, please check http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm
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