Time Zone: GMT +8
Language: Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese
Visas:British citizens can stay up to 180 days, while British Dependent Territories, British Overseas citizens, Australia, Canada, the EU, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and the USA citizens can stay up to 90 days. Citizens from other countries can visit for up to 30 days or less.
Local transportation:The
Octopus card is a rechargeable smartcard that allows you to conveniently ride the local transportation. You can buy and recharge at any MTR station.
The fastest way to get around Hong Kong by public transportation is the MTR rail system comprising underground, overland and light rail (slower tram-style) services. All signs are in both Chinese and English and all announcements are made in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.
Hong Kong has an extensive bus system that will take you just about anywhere, and is useful when exploring the southern side of Hong Kong Island, the New Territories and Lantau Island. Most buses run from 5.30am or 6am until midnight or 12.30am, though there are smaller numbers of night buses that run from 12.45am to 5am or later.
You will need to take a ferry to reach the outlying islands such as Lamma Island or Peng Chau. Fares are reasonable and the ferries are comfortable and usually air-conditioned. The ferry terminal is located in Central, and the best way to get to the ferry terminal is by MTR.
Taxis are readily available and are color-coded based on the territories they can operate. The red taxis can be found in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island, and can go anywhere except Lantau. Green taxis operate within New Territories, and Blue taxis operate within Lantau. If you are in New Territories and planning on going to Hong Kong Island, Kowloon or the City Centre, you will need to take a red taxi.
Hong Kong Tramways are tall, narrow, double-decker trams that operate on the Northern coast of Hong Kong Island. They are slow, but cheap and a great way to explore the city.
Where to buy a SIM card:There are 4 telcos in Hong Kong: csl., China Mobile, Three, SmarTone. The easiest place to buy a SIM card is at 7 Eleven at the airport. Reload vouchers can be found all over the city in places like 7-Eleven or Circle K convenience stores.
Popular areas:Central, Lan Kwai Fong, Soho, The Mid-Levels, Sheung Wan, Victoria Peak, Mong Kok, Tsim Sha Tsui, Sai Kung, Lamma Island, Cheung Chau
Popular food:Dim sum 點心, Fried dough sticks (油炸鬼 yau char kway), Wonton noodles (雲吞麵), Noodles with spam