Visiting Hong Kong

(Last updated: 10 Sep 2008)

Visas

Australians on business or holiday may remain in Hong Kong for up to three months (visa free period) and are not generally required to obtain a visa. Visitors are required to have adequate funds to cover the duration of their stay without working, so unless you are in transit to China or Macau you should hold onward or return tickets.

If you want to stay longer than the visa free period allows you must apply for a visa before travelling to Hong Kong. As an alternative, you may also submit your visa application to the Hong Kong Immigration Department either directly or through a local sponsor.

By law, visitors are not allowed to undertake paid or unpaid employment, to establish or join in any business, or to enter school as a student, nor, except in the most unusual circumstances, are visitors allowed to change their status after arrival. It is important that you contact the Hong Kong Immigration Department before you leave Australia as conditions and visas for working and residing in Hong Kong apply. Failure to apply for the necessary documentation means you may be refused entry on arrival.

Climate

Hong Kong’s climate is subtropical and monsoonal. Winter (December–February) is cool and dry with an average temperature of 15ºC. Summer (May–September) is hot, humid and rainy, with an average temperature of around 28ºC. The humidity level is consistently in the high 30ºC during the summer months. A compact umbrella is a useful accessory at this time of year.

During the hot months (May–October) light or tropical weight clothing is needed. For the cooler months, heavier clothing and a lightweight coat are appropriate.

Typhoons (known as tropical cyclones in Australia) are more likely to hit during the warmer months of July through to September. Flying debris from high winds is unpredictable and can be extremely dangerous. In high winds and rain remain indoors away from windows and follow instructions on news reports on TV and radio.  Typhoons can also severely impact on flight and other transport schedules. It is best to check with your airline and other carriers.

For weather details in Hong Kong, please visit the World Meteorological Organization. 

Airports

Hong Kong’s international airport, Chek Lap Kok, is located in Lantau Island. The best way to get to and from the airport is via the Airport Express train which takes 23 minutes from Hong Kong Station in Central to the airport, and costs HK$100. It operates daily from 6.00am to 1.30am at 12 minute intervals. Free in-town check-in service and free porter service are available at Hong Kong and Kowloon Stations.

Passengers can check in up to 90 minutes before flight, even the day before. This can prove very convenient for business travellers. A free shuttle service transports passengers between all major hotels and Hong Kong or Kowloon Station at 20-minute intervals.

The taxi fare from the major Hong Kong Island hotels to Chek Lap Kok airport is around HK$400. A taxi from Kowloon and the New Territories hotels will cost about HK$350 and HK$250 respectively. Generally allow one hour to reach Chek Lap Kok airport, except in peak hours (7.00am-10.00am, 4.00pm-7.00pm) when the trip may take one and a half hours or longer. From Kowloon and the New Territories hotels it will take around 30 minutes and 45 minutes respectively by taxi to reach the airport. All air passengers must pay a departure tax of HK$120 (which is normally included in the price of the ticket).

Ground transport

Hong Kong has a very efficient public transport system that makes travelling within the city easy and convenient. Rail, bus, ferry, taxi, minibuses and other public transport services offer commuters a good choice of different transport modes at reasonable fares and different levels of comfort, speed and convenient. Both Chinese and English are displayed on the vehicles or broadcasted at the stations, and most of the taxi drivers can understand some degree of English.  A stored valued ticket, the ‘Octopus’ card, enables commuters to pay fares for the rails, buses, ferries and some light buses.

Taxis in Hong Kong are all licensed and air-conditioned and you can catch them to anywhere in Hong Kong except some restricted areas. Taxis are relatively cheap and plentiful and hailing from the curb is the best way to hire a cab.

Taxis of different colours serve different areas. Red – Hong Kong Island and Kowloon; Green – New Territories and Blue – Lantau Island. Pay the fare shown on the meter, however, surcharges will be added for tunnel/bridge toll, large-size luggage and pets. Price list on these charges is displayed inside the taxi.

Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is the main public transport means in Hong Kong. Operation hours are generally from 6am to midnight.  Train frequency is every three to five minutes in peak hour. Ticket prices range from HK$3.50 to HK$33.

Bus ­– Most fares for urban routes are around $3. Air-conditioned buses with a higher fare are also available. The Public Light Buses are either green or red in colour, and are mini-buses that have fares similar to buses. In general, they serve places where the MTR cannot reach.

Ferries operate between Hong Kong and outlying islands such as Lamma Island, Lantau Island and Cheung Chau.

Trams serve Hong Kong Island only and the fare is the cheapest of all types of transport in Hong Kong.

Hotels

Many of Hong Kong's luxury hotels are among the best in the world. All the major international chains are represented, along with a dazzling array of local and regional hotels. Keen competition has ensured that Hong Kong's hotels remain at the highest standards. They also regularly introduce new facilities and invest in ambitious renovation programs. An additional three per cent government tax and a 10 per cent service charge are charged except where stated otherwise.

Security and health

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Hong Kong. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

Hong Kong is regarded as one of the safer travel destinations in the world and enjoys an ethnically and politically harmonious life. While generally safe, both business and tourist travellers should take precautions to secure their own safety. 

Here are a few safety tips:

• Use money belts and hold your bags firmly as pick-pockets can be active in some parts of Hong Kong.
• Stay alert and avoid ‘people crushes’ in public transport – including the Star Ferry to Kowloon.
• Keep to well-lit, busy shopping streets and avoid isolated areas.

The importing of illegal drugs into Hong Kong is prohibited and severe penalties apply.

Health

Visitors who have travelled through a country infected with cholera or yellow fever must hold a current certificate of inoculation and must be arranged prior to entry into Hong Kong.

Inoculation is also advisable against typhoid and poliomyelitis and for children against diphtheria. Intending residents should also be inoculated against hepatitis A and B.

To avoid the possible transmission of air-borne bugs and more serious disease it is recommended that travellers avoid over-crowded public transport, particularly in more rural areas. Swimming at most beaches is not recommended.

The standard of medical and dental services is generally high. Hong Kong has expensive health and medical costs by Australian standards, so health and travel insurance is essential and should be arranged before departure. Consult your travel agent. Hong Kong has several good hospitals, but accommodation can sometimes be difficult to arrange.

Bottled water is cheap and widely available from convenience stores and supermarkets. For short business travel consuming only bottled water can reduce the possibility of illness. 

Travellers who are on prescription medication should carry prescription documentation from Australia.

Tipping

A 10 per cent tip is usual, however, most hotels and restaurants include a 10 per cent service charge, making additional tipping optional.

Time zones and time differences

Hong Kong is two hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time. Hong Kong has no daylight-saving time during the Northern Hemisphere summer.

To find out the current time in Hong Kong, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

Hong Kong's country code is 852.

For calls to Hong Kong from Australia dial: 0011 + 852 + area code + telephone number

For calls from Hong Kong to Australia dial: 001 + 61 + area code + telephone number

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes. 

Business hours

Government offices, most European firms and the larger Chinese business houses are open Monday to Friday 9.00am–5.00pm with an hour for lunch.

Many Chinese businesses open from 9.00am–6.00pm or later, Monday to Saturday.

Major department stores open from 10.30am–10.00pm, Monday to Sunday.

Many Chinese shops keep extended hours, opening from 10.00am–10.00pm daily.

The majority of banks are open from 9.00am–4.30pm, Monday to Friday; Saturday 9.00am– 12.30pm.

Public holidays

January 1 – New Year’s Day
February 7-9 – Lunar New Year
March 21-24 – Easter
April 4 – Ching Ming Festival
May 1 – Labour Day
May 12 – Buddha's Birthday
June 9 – Tuen Ng Festival
July 1 – Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day
September 15 – Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival
October 1 – National Day
October 19 – Chung Yeung Festival
December 25-26 - Christmas

Chinese New Year, August and late December are not good times to visit Hong Kong for business. Many business people will leave Hong Kong for holidays overseas. Arranging appointments with prospective agents and distributors can be difficult.

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The unit of currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$), which is divided into 100 cents. Hong Kong dollars are freely available at currency conversion outlets in banks and airports.

Electricity and water

Hong Kong’s power supply is 220 volts, 50Hz. The British square three-pin plugs are the most common.

Dining

Hong Kong is arguably one of the world's greatest restaurant capitals. The local Cantonese conduct a great deal of business over 'dim sum' lunch – typically an assortment of steamed pork and vegetable dumplings, spring rolls, wantons, taro cakes and egg tarts.

Two of the more famous restaurant districts include So Ho and Wanchai. So Ho is in the hill area above Central. In this restaurant district one can find almost any cuisine including Russian, Cuban, Manchurian, Nepali and Modern Chinese. Wanchai is more casual with its array of bars offering light meals. Many of these bars/restaurants are located along Lockhart Road.

Tourist attractions

Hong Kong is Asia’s most popular tourist destination. The Hong Kong Tourism Board includes all the latest information on where to shop, eat, tours, boat trips, heritage sites, theatre performances and exhibitions and touring in China.

If time permits, a visit to Victoria Peak is highly recommended to enjoy the dramatic views of Hong Kong. The famous Peak Tram departs from St Johns Building on Garden Road and a double-decker bus connection to the tram can be made from Star Ferry.