OrientPages SAR - Hong Kong Travel Guide

About Hong Kong

This former British imperial enclave (situated at the mouth of the Pearl River Delta, on the southwestern coast of China) has been rapidly changing since the hand-over from British colonial to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Or rather, the underlying city presents a new guise without the imperial overlay. Hong Kong's role as gateway to China is more in question than ever, with the Bamboo Curtain a distant memory,

Hong Kong has also become far more Chinese than ever before, with many ex-pats departed and an overwhelmingly Cantonese government presiding over the Filipinos, Indians, Nepalese and other minorities that make up the city's ethnic patchwork. Nevertheless, the Hong Kongers resist assimilation, reluctantly yielding to pressures for economic integration while jealously guarding their separate freedoms and identity.

The few square kilometres of territory conceded to the British now top the UN list for urban population density. Hong Kong Island itself is the core of the old imperial possession, with Kowloon just across the harbour forming the other half of the main conurbation. Further north are the New Territories, leased from China in 1898, which form a slightly more rural hinterland. And around this main focus are the large islands of Lamma and Lantau and the smaller Outlying Islands that complete the patchwork.

The city's economy has suffered since the Asian economic crisis of 1997, but although commerce remains subdued, Hong Kong is beginning to experience some green shoots of recovery. The tourism industry is leading the way. Strong international marketing has enabled tourism to recover vigorously from the 2003 SARS outbreak, and Hong Kong expects to welcome 20.5 million visitors during 2004.

In the proverbial scale of Cantonese values, money comes first. And Hong Kong still has plenty of that. Hong Kong has a more determined sense of its separate identity than ever before, although it remains a thrustingly commercial city, whose dedication to fast money has never been greater. However, its economic future lies, undoubtedly, in aligning itself closely with the Pan-Pearl River Delta cities, who are working together to create an economic power zone in southern China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Away from the business of making money, and its traditional fine dining, great shopping and world-class hotels, Hong Kong has its unsung natural beauties, in the shape of looming mountains, secluded islets, white beaches, hiking trails and island landscapes. The Special Administrative Region (SAR) government recently branded the entire city as 'Asia's World City'. Visitors can judge how true that is but, unquestionably, Hong Kong remains unique.

Hong Kong Fast Facts

Time Zone: +7GMT Hong Kong is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Currency: Hong Kong dollars

Language: Cantonese, English, Mandarin

International Dialing Code: 80

Population:

Religion: Buddhism, Christianity

Electricity: 220V 50Hz

Electrical Outlet: Mostly three-prong sockets similar to United Kingdom. (See details here: http://www.kropla.com/electric.htm)

Driving: On the left side of the road.

Hong Kong Seasons

In winter and early spring, the climate can be mild and fresh but, in May, the ever-present humidity skyrockets and summer is both hot and frequently wet. Typhoons hit during summer and early autumn and, even without them, ferocious rainstorms fall intermittently. Hong Kong is not the ideal summer holiday destination.

Where to stay in Hong Kong

Hotels in Hong Kong are generally more expensive than its neighbouring cities.

[Click to browse full hotel listings]

Useful Hong Kong Links

Discover Hong Kong - HK Tourism Board

ZUJI (http://www.zuji.com) - Asia-Pacific's most comprehensive online travel company, puts the world of travel at your fingertips. Before you take a single step on your journey, visit ZUJI. Whether you seek a well-trodden path or the road less travelled; a popular tourist spot or an unusual destination, ZUJI is your partner.

Disneyland Hong Kong website (http://www.disney.com.hk)

Ocean Park website (http://www.oceanpark.com.hk)

Star Ferry website: http://www.starferry.com.hk

Getting to Hong Kong

Airport Express Shuttle train and hotel bus

The Airport Express provides a fast link between Hong Kong International Airport and the heart of Hong Kong. It is one of the few dedicated airport railways in the world, covering the 35.3km between the airport at Chek Lap Kok and Central about 24 minutes.

Airport Express provides the most direct and convenient access to AsiaWorld-Expo. It takes around 1 minute from Airport Station to AsiaWorld-Expo Station. From AsiaWorld-Expo Station to Central district, it is around 28 minutes. Airport Express stations has been designed to the highest standards, offering passengers world-class airport style facilities, such as In-town Check-in, Airport Express Shuttle Bus service and many other value-added facilities.

Airport Express (MTR map)

Free Airport Express Shuttle Bus Service

Scheduled shuttle bus leaves Hong Kong and Kowloon stations everyday. It takes Airport Express passengers to and from major hotels plus key transport interchanges.

Click to see if your hotel is included and for more information.

Getting around Hong Kong

Octopus Cards - The Easy Way to Travel

Most public transport requires exact change and that's why we recommend that you get an Octopus card. This electronic stored-value card is accepted on most public transport including buses, minibuses, trains, ferries, the Peak Tram, and some taxis. Also accepted at some convenience stores and fast food restaurants.

In order to pay a fare, simply place the Octopus card on the reader located next to the fare box and the fare gets deducted electronically. Any new Octopus card includes a refundable HK$50 deposit.

If at the end of your visit you have leftover money, it can be refunded when you return the card. You can ask for the card at the Airport Express Customer Service Counters on Level 5 of the Hong Kong International Airport. The cards are also available at most public transport customer service centres.

Click here for more information.

Please see our transport section for more details about getting around Hong Kong.

Top 10 Places to see in HK: