74 – 80 Johnston Road Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2520 2303
Email: sales.fshongkong@frasershospitality.com
City OverviewThe Hong Kong SAR is located at the south-eastern tip of China. It comprises Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island, Kowloon Peninsula and New Territories, and includes 262 outlying islands. Between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula lies Victoria Harbour, one of the world’s best-known deep-water harbours. At end-2006, Hong Kong recorded a population of 6.9 million, and a density of 6350 people per square kilometre. The Hong Kong economy is characterised by free trade, low taxation and minimal government intervention. In recent years, it has registered strong economic growth – in 2005, real GDP expanded by 7.1 per cent; in 2006, by 6.8 per cent, and in the first three quarters of 2007, it was 6.1 per cent year-on-year. Total exports grew strongly from 9.4 per cent in 2006, and by a further 9.2 per cent year-on-year in 2007. LanguageChinese and English. Cantonese is widely spoken; most people at the banks, government and corporate offices, as well as tourist-related establishments, understand English. Time DifferenceGMT +8 Visas & Special PassesVisitors from most countries can enter Hong Kong without a visa for periods of seven days to six months, depending on nationality. For regular visitors, there are two special passes that enable speedier processing through designated immigration channels.
Do check with any Chinese embassy or Consulate for other types of visas and how to apply for them. CurrencyThe Hong Kong dollar (HK$) is the legal tender currency. There are 100 cents in a dollar. Coins, issued by the government, are bronze-coloured for 10 cents, 20 cents and 50 cents; silver-coloured for HK$1, HK$2, and HK$5; nickel and bronze for HK$10. Notes issued by HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank have denominations of HK$10, HK$20, HK$50, HK$100, HK$500, and HK$1,000. The Bank of China issues all of the denominations except HK$10. ShoppingHong Kong is a shoppers’ paradise. From great-value buys to haute couture direct from the fashion capitals of the world, you’ll find the widest range of apparel and merchandise to meet every budget at the numerous shopping malls, street markets and departmental stores. Over two months every year, usually in July and August, shopaholics from the region will descend on Hong Kong for its Shopping Festival, where it’s wonderful-deals galore. First-time visitors could bring home mementoes like Chinese-style handicrafts, apparel, tea, jewellery, foodstuff and exquisite tableware, while repeat visitors would likely go home with huge shopping bags, and bright smiles. GratuityMost restaurants and hotels will add a 10 per cent service charge, but service staff (waiters, bellhops, porters, restroom attendants and taxi drivers etc) expect to be given some loose change. However, tipping is mostly left to your discretion. Business Hours
Eating OutHong Kong is a cosmopolitan city that offers the widest range of international cuisine. But do take the opportunity to eat like a local – it’s the best way to enjoy the fantastic food available! Dim sum and yam cha are quintessentially Hong Kong. All visitors must experience at least once, the authentic and very interesting yum cha in a typical local restaurant. The noise, attitude and etiquette are an eye-opener! As the waitresses push their metal trolleys laden with an array of dim sum items around, you must catch their eye (or yell or wave vigorously) and indicate the ones that you fancy, which will be unceremoniously placed on your table. The food is likely to be flavourful, and stuffed with delicious morsels of pork, chicken or prawn. Tea goes well with dim sum as it is supposed to ‘wash down’ the oil and ‘heaviness’ of the food. Poh-lei is a mild red tea, while Sau-mei is slightly stronger, and similar to green tea. Teek-goon-yum (iron Buddha) is a favourite as it is said to help lower the cholesterol level. Telephone NetworksThere are five mobile network service operators providing mobile phone service in Hong Kong. These are:
*holding 2G and 3G licences More information may be obtained from the Office of the Telecommunications Authority website at www.ofta.gov.hk. HealthMedical facilities and healthcare standards in Hong Kong are excellent. Visitors are required to pay HK$570 if you use the Accident and Emergency services in the public hospitals. Electricity220V AC Public Holidays1 January – New Year’s Day; January/February – Lunar New Year; March – Good Friday, Easter Monday; April – Ching Ming Festival; May – Labour Day, Buddha’s Birthday; June – Tuen Ng Festival; July – Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day; September – Mid-Autumn Festival; October – National Day, Chung Yeung Festival; December – Christmas |
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