Hong Kong SAR began
as a sparsely populated island with a few
fishing villages. Today, Hong Kong SAR is one of
the world's busiest commercial and financial
markets, as well as a major manufacturing centre
and container port. It is the global gateway to
China and easily accessible to other parts of
the world. From the early days, when local clans
fought for survival, Hong Kong SAR's unique
character has unfolded. Its determination to
succeed has emerged. The cultures and traditions
of East and West, of ancient and modern, are
united in Hong Kong SAR, creating a dynamic and
cosmopolitan society.
Population
With a
population of almost 7 million, of which 95% are
Chinese, the official languages are Cantonese
and English, with a large percentage of the
population being bilingual. Cantonese is the
most widely spoken local dialect and Putonghua
is increasingly being used. Street signs, menus
and tourist publications are
bilingual.
Geography
Hong
Kong SAR is a small territory of just 1,091 sq
km, nestling on the southern coast of China. It
is made up of Hong Kong Island (78 sq km), the
Kowloon Peninsula (46 sq km), and the New
Territories plus 260 outlying islands (967 sq
km).
Climate
Hong Kong SAR has a
subtropical climate. Clear and sunny days are
the norm in autumn. The average temperature in
January and February lies between 14
- 20 oC (57-68 oF).
Short sleeves and light jackets
are most suitable at this time of year.
Time
Difference
Hong Kong SAR time is GMT
plus 8 hours.
Food
Dining out in Hong Kong is
a gourmet's delight, an exciting adventure with
a limitless choice of restaurants and dishes.
There are more than 30,000 restaurants in Hong
Kong SAR, providing visitors with a truly
international eating experience. Visitors will
find restaurants offering cuisine of regional
China and spices of our Asian neighbours, as
well as classic dishes of continental Europe,
and nouvelle and traditional cuisine of North
America. In Hong Kong SAR, seafood is a passion;
only the best and the freshest is offered. The
range of restaurants is immense with high
standards.Please click HERE to see the over 2000
restaurants nearby the Conference venue.
Shopping
Hong Kong SAR is the
shopping gateway of the world. Its diversity
will astonish even the most seasoned shopper. It
is a haven for choice: from fashion to
furniture, antiques to jewellery, and cameras to
computers. The range of choice extends to the
shopping environment and there are designer
boutiques and street stalls, classic shopping
malls and frenetic markets, modern art galleries
and antique shops, which are open every day of
the week. Nothing could be simpler than shopping
in Hong Kong SAR.
Tipping
Most restaurants add 10%
service charge automatically and waiters also
expect to pick up loose change. Larger
gratuities are expected when there is no service
charge. Small tips are common for bellboys,
doormen and cloakroom attendants. Taxi drivers
also tend to pick up loose change as a tip.
Currency Exchange/Credit Cards
The unit
of currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$). It is
pegged to the US$ at approximately HK$7.8 to
US$1. Most foreign currencies and traveller's
cheques can be changed at banks, money-changers,
hotels and major retail outlets. Banks usually
offer the best exchange rate. Hong Kong Dollar
notes are available in $10, $20, $50, $100, $500
and $1,000 denominations. Coins come in 10
cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, $1, $2, $5 and $10
denominations. All major credit cards are widely
accepted. For some purchases, the cash price may
be lower than the credit card price.
Office and
Banking Hours
Most offices are open from
09:00 to 17:00 on weekdays. Major banks are open
from 09:00 to 16:30 on weekdays and 09:00 to
12:30 on Saturdays. Banking and ATM facilities
are available within the Hong Kong Convention
and Exhibition Centre.
Security
The local police force has
made the Hong Kong SAR one of the safest cities
in the world. However, delegates are advised to
carry some form of identification with a
photograph at all times.
Electricity
and Water
Local voltage is 220V at
50Hz. Adapters can be easily bought, and most
hotels have multi-voltage fittings for electric
razors. All water direct from government mains
supply meets World Health Organization
standards. Bottled water is widely available.
Public
Transport
Hong Kong SAR is
geographically compact with plentiful metered
taxis, day and night, which are inexpensive;
meters are clearly displayed. Excellent public
transportation in the form of buses, trams and
the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is relatively
cheap and frequent. The famous Star Ferry
operates from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central District
and Wan Chai.
From Hong Kong SAR airport at
Chek Lap Kok, you can reach Central District by
the Airport Express Line (AEL) in about 30
minutes. Hong Kong SAR's fast, air-conditioned
Airbus can also take you directly from the new
Airport terminal to convenient points including
Tsim Sha Tsui, Central and Wan Chai, Causeway
Bay, Taikoo Shing and Kowloon MTR Stations,
which are close to most major hotels. The
Airbuses leave from the airport every 10 to 15
minutes and the fare ranges from HK$13 to
HK$48.
In-town check-in facilities are
available at Hong Kong AEL Station and Kowloon
AEL Station. Hotel shuttles run between major
hotels on Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, and the
Hong Kong and Kowloon MTR Stations. Please check
with your hotel front desk for more
information.
The Hong Kong Convention and
Exhibition Centre is within walking distance of
the Wan Chai MTR Station.
Visa
Requirements
Citizens of most countries
do not require a visa to enter Hong Kong SAR for
a short-term stay ranging from 14 days to 3
months. If you need advice on individual cases,
please address your enquiries to:
Any
Chinese diplomatic and consular mission; or
Immigration Department, HKSAR, Immigration
Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
SAR
Tel: (852) 2824 6111
Fax: (852) 2877
7711
Web site: www.immd.gov.hk
Hong Kong Tourism
Board
More Information
about Hong Kong could be found at the Hong Kong
Tourism Board website.
Web site: www.hktb.com
|
