Hong Kong Travel Guide

Hong Kong — Travel Tips

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Social Conventions

Handshaking is the common form of greeting. In Hong Kong, the family name comes first, so Wong Man Ying would be addressed as Mr Wong. Most entertaining takes place in restaurants rather than in private homes. Normal courtesies should be observed when visiting someone's home. During a meal, a toast is often drunk saying Yum Sing at each course. There may be up to 12 courses served in a meal, and although it is not considered an insult to eat sparingly, a good appetite is always appreciated and it is considered cordial to taste every dish. It is customary to invite the host to a return dinner. Informal wear is acceptable. Some restaurants and social functions often warrant formal attire. Smoking is widely acceptable, but is now prohibited in most public places. Police who speak English have a red shoulder badge.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

The major international airline is Cathay Pacific (CX) (www.cathaypacific.com).

Departure Tax

Included in the ticket price.

Main Airports

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) (Chek Lap Kok) (www.hongkongairport.com) is located on Lantau Island, 34 km (21 miles) from central Hong Kong. To/from the airport: The easiest connection is via the high-speed train, the Airport Express Line (AEL) (journey time - 28 minutes to Hong Kong station, also stopping at Kowloon and Tsing Yi). Free shuttle buses run from Hong Kong and Kowloon station for Airport Express passengers to various hotels. Many bus routes operate between the airport and Hong Kong and Kowloon. High-speed ferries run between Tung Chung's new development pier at Chek Lap Kok and Tuen Mun, with a shuttle bus from the pier to the airport. A bus runs to the Skypier for connections to Dangguan, Macau, Shekou and Shenzen. Taxis to Hong Kong are readily available. Facilities: Tourist information desks and computer kiosks, bank, bureau de change and ATMs, bars/restaurants, post office, shops, duty-free and medical center.

Getting There By Water

Main port: Hong Kong port.

High-speed ferry services are operated to and from more than a dozen towns and cities in Guangzhou province's Pearl River Delta from the China Ferry Terminal and Hong Kong International Airport's SkyPier by Chu Kong Passenger Transport Co (tel: 2858 3876; www.cksp.com.hk). TurboJET (tel: 2859 3333; www.turbojet.com.hk) operates frequent daily services to and from Shenzhen and Macau by jetfoil and high-speed catamaran craft, with journey times of 55 minutes. High-speed catamaran ferries to and from Macau are also operated by New World First Ferry Services (tel: 2131 8181; www.nwff.com.hk).

A large number of cruise ships visit Hong Kong.

Getting There By Rail

Services between Shanghai-Kowloon/Hong Kong (journey time - 25 hours) and Beijing-Kowloon/Hong Kong (journey time - 24 hours) both run on alternate days.

The Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) (tel: 2929 3399; www.kcrc.com) operates a service between Guangzhou and Kowloon several times a day and a new high-speed line is currently being built. There are also services from Foshan and Dongguan (Changping) to Hong Kong. Restaurant cars are only available if traveling first class. Local KCRC trains run regularly (every 5 to 10 minutes) from Kowloon to Lo Wu, the last stop before the Chinese border. It is then possible to cross the border to Shenzhen, a special economic zone, in China over the border. To go as far as Lo Wu, travelers must hold a visa for China, otherwise it is only possible to get to Sheung Shui. Children under three years old travel free. Children aged three to nine years pay half fare.

Duty Free

Overview

The following goods may be imported into Hong Kong by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 19 cigarettes or 1 cigars or 25g of tobacco.
• 1L of alcoholic liquor above 30%.
• Reasonable quantity of other items for personal use.

Note:(a) Antibiotic drugs are prohibited unless confirmed by a medical note. (b) The import of animals is strictly controlled.

Prohibited Imports

Firearms, narcotics, psychotropic drugs, counterfeit items, ammunition, copyright-infringed goods, plants, endangered species (dead or alive) and products deriving from them, game, poultry and fireworks and other explosives. Import/export of these items require a valid license or permit issued in advance.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Water

Cross-harbor passenger services (shortest route - 7 to 10 minutes) are operated by Star Ferries (www.starferry.com.hk) between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon (sailing every 6 to 12 minutes). There are frequent passenger and vehicle services on other cross-harbor routes. Ferries and hydrofoils service the outlying islands, Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, Lamma Island and Lantau Island, including Discovery Bay. Ferry services are run by New World First Ferry Services (tel: 2131 8181; www.nwff.com.hk), the Hong Kong Kowloon Ferry (tel: 2815 6063; www.hkkf.com.hk) and Discovery bay Transportation Services Ltd (tel: 2987 7351; www.hkri.com).

Tours of the harbor and to Aberdeen and Yau Ma Tei typhoon shelters are available by watertours junks, and visits to outlying islands are possible by public ferry. Weekdays are the best time to go, since ferries tend to be very crowded at weekends. During the typhoon season (May to November), all ferry services may be suspended during bad weather.

Getting Around By Rail

Mass Transit Railway (MTR) (tel: 2881 8888; www.mtr.com.hk) has nine lines: Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Island, Tung Chung, Tseung Kwan O, East Rail, West Rail, Ma On Shan and Disneyland resort, which provides a cross-harbor line. It is more expensive than the ferry, but quicker, particularly for those traveling further into Kowloon than Tsim Shat Sui or to Lantau Island. Trains run between 0600-0100. The Airport Express runs from the airport to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island (www.mtr.com.hk) (journey time - 28 minutes).

For visitors staying for a week or more it is worth getting an Octopus Card, an electronic ticket from which the cost of the journey is automatically deducted when it is placed on a sensor. The card may be used on MTR services, the Kowloon-Canton Railway, major bus routes, trams, minibuses and some ferries. The Airport Express Tourist Octopus Card (is valid for 3 days, entitling passengers to two single Airport Express journeys and 3 days of unlimited travel by MTR.

The Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCR) (tel: 2929 3399; www.kcrc.com) has 13 stations within Hong Kong. KCRC also runs the Light Rail (LR) which connects the northwest new territories Tuen Mun and Yuen Long.

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the left. The road network is extensive and of high quality but often congested in central areas.

Bus: The Octopus Card (see Getting Around By Rail above) can be used on buses. Routes run throughout the territory, with cross-harbor routes via the tunnels. Air-conditioned coaches operate along certain Hong Kong and Kowloon routes. Final destinations are marked clearly in Chinese and English. Bus services covering Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories are operated by Kowloon Motor Bus (tel: 2745 4466; www.kmb.com.hk), New World First Bus (tel: 2136 8888; www.nwfb.com.hk) and Citybus (tel: 2873 0818).

Minibus: These can pick up and stop on request except at regular bus stops and other restricted areas. Octopus Cards are accepted.

Trams: The Octopus Card can be used on trams. They are only available on Hong Kong Island, running from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan (via Happy Valley racecourse). Peak Tram on Hong Kong Island has operated since 1888 and is a cable tramway to the upper terminus on Victoria Peak; Octopus Cards accepted.

Taxi: These are plentiful in Hong Kong and Kowloon. There is an extra charge for the Cross Harbour Tunnel. Red taxis serve Hong Kong Island except Tung Chung Road and the south side of Lantau Island, green ones the rural areas of the New Territories, and blue ones Lantau Island. All taxis operate to and from Hong Kong International Airport. Maxicabs, however, operate on fixed routes without fixed stops. Many drivers speak a little English, but it is wise to get your destination written in Chinese characters. A small tip is expected.

Car hire: A wide selection of self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available, although car hire is not that popular in Hong Kong.

Regulations: Speed limits are 80kph (50mph) on highways and 50kph (31mph) in urban areas.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended, although not legally required. A valid national license is accepted for up to 12 months. The minimum age is 18 years. Third party insurance is compulsory.