Background Information

Overview

Climate & When to Visit

Transportation

Facts

Public Holiday

Overview

Hong Kong, the Pearl of East and jewel of The Orient is famous for its gold and foreign exchange market. Hong Kong consists of four parts, Hong Kong island, Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and 260 surrounding smaller islands and overall covers an area of 1095 square kilometres.

Culture and heritage is what sets Hong Kong apart from the rest of Asia - indeed the world. Hong Kong is a unique fusion of Eastern and Western cultures where the old and the new live side by side have made Hong Kong become the premier tourist destination in Asia.

Hong Kong's cuisine is renowned for its exotic fusion of Eastern and Western flavours along with a wide variety of culinary delights. Its cultural blend, proximity to mainland China and reputation for quality have made Hong Kong a Gourmet Paradise. When it comes to a serious shopping experience, Hong Kong has everything in abundance.

Climate and when to visit

Hong Kong is an all-year-round destination. It enjoys a mild climate. The most popular time to visit Hong Kong is from September to December, while the weather is rather calm and sunny with moderate temperature.

Spring (March to mid-May)
Temperatures and humidity rise gradually in spring. Evenings can be cool but lightweight jackets should suffice. The average temperature ranges from 18℃-27℃ (64℉-80℉), humidity about 82 per cent.

Summer (late May to mid-September)
Hot and humid with temperatures ranging from 26℃-33℃ (78℉-91℉) and humidity near 86 per cent. Short sleeves and cotton clothes should be worn with a lightweight sweater for indoors as restaurants tend to set air-conditioning on high. An umbrella or hat is useful to ward off the sun.

Autumn (late September to early December)
Clear and sunny days are the norm in autumn. Short sleeves and light jackets are most suitable at this time of year. The average temperature ranges from 18℃-28℃ (64℉-82℉), humidity about 72 per cent.

Winter (mid-December to February)
Winters are mild with low humidity at 72 per cent. Though the temperature ranging from 14℃-20℃ (57℉-68℉), the mercury can drop to 10℃ (50℉). Occasional chills make woolens and overcoats necessary.

Transportation

Hong Kong is geographically compact and boasts one of the world's most efficient, safe, affordable and frequent public transport systems. Whether by taxi, ferry, rail, bus or tram, you can get around easily and catch wonderful glimpses of the city along the way.

Octopus Cards
Make use of the Octopus Card, an electronic fare card that is accepted by almost all public transport, and at many restaurants and stores. It's easy and convenient to use, saves time and eliminates need for small change.

Buses
Bus routes, with double-decker and single-level buses, cover almost all of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Fares are low, usually ranging from HK$1.20 to HK$45, and are based on distance travelled. Exact change is required. Octopus cards are accepted.

The Light Rail Transit System
Serving Tuen Mun and Yuen Long new towns and the network was extended to Tin Shui Wai New Town. The system comprises 119 single-deck light rail vehicles and 57 stops. The adult single fares range from HKD$4 to $5.8.

The Mass Transit Railway (MTR)
MTR rail system that covers all major districts in the territory, and includes stops at the boundary with Mainland China (Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau). The MTR consists of ten lines: Island, Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong, Tseung Kwan O, Tung Chung, West Rail, East Rail, Ma On Shan and Disneyland Resort, as well as an Airport Express.

MTR Tourist Day Pass can be purchased here or in the package of Hong Kong Tourist Pass.

Minibuses
Minibuses are small passenger buses that carry about 16 people. Exact payment is required when getting on, octopus cards are accepted. Please note that minibuses are best suited for people who can speak some Cantonese and who are familiar with Hong Kong.

Trams
Trams shake, rattle and roll along an east-west path across north Hong Kong Island and follow the same tracks they have travelled since 1904.The flat fare is HK$2.3 (HK$1.2 for seniors aged 65 or above and children under 12) and exact change is required. You can get on at the back of the tram and pay the exact fare when you're alighting at the front. Octopus cards are accepted.

Tour that include riding the Tram: Hong Kong Story, Different Taste of Hong Kong

Peak Tram
Hong Kong Island is a cable tramway to the upper terminus between Central and the Peak . The 1.4 kilometers line runs with four stops en route, climbing 373 metres on gradient as steep as one-in-two. A single trip for adults costs HK$ 20.

Tour that include riding a Peak Tram: Hong Kong Island Tour, Hong Kong Night Cruise Tour

Star Ferry
A plethora of ferries ply the waters of Hong Kong connecting Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the Outlying Islands, Macau and Mainland China.

Star Ferries
Star Ferry service between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island from piers in Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom in Kowloon and Central and Wan Chai on the Island. It offers a memorable and scenic boat trip across one of the most-photographed harbours in the world.

Tour that include riding Star Ferries: Different Taste of Hong Kong

Outlying Island Service
Ferries operating from the Central Ferry Piersin Central provide service to the main outlying island of Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, Lamma Island and Lantau Island including Discovery Bay.

Taxis
Red taxis operate in most of Hong Kong, except for Tung Chung Road and the south side of Lantau Island, green taxis serve the rural areas of the New Territories and blue taxis operate on Lantau Island.

Fact

Population	Estimate 7,200,000
Capital	Hong Kong is a city of China PRC since July 1997. China 's capital city - Beijing ( Peking ) is about 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) further north.
People	Chinese make up 95% of the population with the other groups floating at around 5%．Recently, the word 'Hongkongese' is also found and is getting more popular to describe the unique local culture of Hong Kong or to refer to Hongkongers.
Language	English and Chinese are both official languages of Hong Kong under the Hong Kong Basic Law, with Cantonese being acknowledged as the official spoken variety of Chinese in Hong Kong, while also accepting the use of Mandarin.
Religion	Religious freedom is one of the fundamental rights enjoyed by Hong Kong residents. It is protected by　Basic Law and the relevant legislation. The various religious traditions practised in Hong Kong are, among others, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Judaism. All of these traditions have a considerable number of followers. Apart from offering religious instruction, many major religious bodies have established schools and provide health and welfare facilities.
Country Dialing Code	+ 852
Mobile Phone	3G and 4G networks are very common and well-covered in Hong Kong
Time Zone	GMT/UTC +8 (Greenwich Mean Time)
Currency	Hong Kong Dollar (HK$). Notes are in denominations of HK$1000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of HK$10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20 and 10 cents.
Electric Plug & voltage	The electrical current in Hong Kong is 220 volts, 50 cycles alternating current (AC, 50HZ)
Emergency Contact(s)	999
Tipping	10% of service charge is usually applied for most of fine dining restaurants and the loose change is regarded as an extra return for outstanding services. Also, taxi drivers, bellboys and doormen are expecting for a small gratuity, but only comply with satisfied service.
Currency exchange	Foreign currency can be changed in banks, hotels and bureaux de change. Banks usually offer the best rate of exchange.
Useful Telephone Numbers	Citizen's Easy Link (24-hour): 1823 GovHK Help Desk: 183 5500 Emergency Services (Police, Fire and Ambulance) :999 Hong Kong Tourism Board- visitor hotline : 2508 1234 Collect calls : 10010 Telephone directory service : 1081 IDD and cardphone enquries : 10013 Weather : 1878066 Immigration Department (24hr) : 2824 6111

2015 Hong Kong Public Holidays
Every Sunday
1 Jan:	The first day of January
19 Feb:	Lunar New Year's Day
20 Feb:	The second day of Lunar New Year
21 Feb:	The third day of Lunar New Year
3 Apr:	Good Firday
4 Apr::	The day following Good Friday
6 Apr:	Ching Ming Festival
7 Apr:	The Monday following Easter Resurrection Sunday
1 May:	Labour Day
25 May:	The Birthday of the Buddha
20 Jun:	Tuen Ng Festival
1 Jul:	Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
28 Sep:	The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival
1 Oct:	National Day
21Oct:	Chung Yeung Festival
25 Dec:	Christmas Day
26 Dec:	The first weekday after Christmas Day