Two Chinese characters "Heung Gong"
meaning "Fragrant Harbour" have given the island
this name. Opinion about the origin of its fragrance is divided.
Some experts say it came from visiting opium-laden ships,
others aver that it goes back to the incense and joss-stick
industries that once thrived along the south and west coasts. Fast Facts
| Area: |
1098 sq km |
| Capital City: |
NA |
| Languages: |
Hong Kong's official languages
are English and Chinese. The most commonly spoken Chinese
dialect is Cantonese, but Mandarin - the official language
of China, known in Hong Kong as Putonghua - is gaining in
popularity. Macau's official languages are Portuguese and
Chinese, but many people speak some English. Here, too, Mandarin
is growing in popularity. |
| Religion: |
The majority of the population hold traditional
Chinese beliefs. There has been a revival of Buddhism and
Taoism in recent years, due mainly to the immigration of Buddhists
from China. Of the two religions, Buddhism appears to have
more followers. |
| |
There are many Chinese Christians and small but active Muslim,
Parsee, Hindu, Russian Orthodox and Jewish communities. |
| Time: |
Hong Kong is 8 hours ahead of GMT. |
| Electricity: |
50 Hz AC, 220V (single phase) , 380/220V (three-phase). |
| Currency: |
Dollar; Symbol: HK$; Subdivision: 100 cents |
| Government: |
Basic Law approved in March 1990 by China's
National People's Congress is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution"
grants considerable autonomy in economic, trade, cultural
and political affairs for 50 years after 1997. The Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region (SAR), has its own financial
system and formulates its own monetary and financial policies.
|
Kowloon - "Kow Lung" in Chinese - means "Nine Dragons"
which according to ancient legend, lived in the mountains surrounding
the peninsula.
It has all the requisites of a complete holiday
destination: good hotels, fine foods, exciting shopping and nightlife,
secluded beaches and islands. Its water tours, entertainment is
alive by day as by night, the Cantonese opera, the Star Ferry rides
across the harbour, the Open Air Night Market and the Chinese markets
along the side streets, the Victoria Peak Funicular, the calligraphy,
the festivals, the opportunities to shop at incredible prices -
the list of its attractions is as endless as its rows of neon signs.
Only on arrival does one discover that Hong Kong
has "a million lights" and offers a million things to
do. It is more than mere duty free shopping. Everywhere are the
intriguing contrasts of a territory clinging to the southern tip
of China - a territory containing everything: the oldest traditions
of the East; the most modern developments of the West. Hong Kong is a complete holiday destination, providing
an outlet for all kinds of special interests. There is a Hong Kong
for the leisure traveller; the enterprising visitor; another for
the adventurer and the explorer. For the gourmet on a dine-around
plan, there is untold choice. Seasons to Visit:
Visit Hong Kong during November and December when there are pleasant
breezes, plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures. January
and February are still do-able months, but the temperature can drop
to below 10°C (50°F). Warmer temperatures make March and
April pleasant months to go but as the year progresses into May
the air becomes uncomfortably sticky and humid, and by September
you can expect cyclones. Entry Requirements: You must be
in possession of a valid passport to enter Hong Kong. If your passport
is due to expire within three months of your departure you should
obtain a new passport. Although Hong Kong is now part of the People's
Republic of China, it remains a Special Administrative Region with
its own immigration controls. Whilst all visitors to mainland China
should obtain a visa before travelling, visitors to Hong Kong can
stay up to six months without a visa. Visitors entering Hong Kong via mainland China
and leaving again via the mainland should note that they will need
to apply for a double or multiple entry visa for mainland China.
Dress: Standard dress code for
business meetings are coat and tie for men, suits or dresses for
women. Pack street clothes depending on the season you're visiting
Hong Kong. Bring cotton clothing during the summer and spring months.
Sweaters and light jackets are sufficient for autumn (September-December)
as well as handy for chilly air-conditioned offices and malls. Bring
suits and overcoats for winter months (December-February). Food/ Restaurants: All the main
hotels have a full range of restaurants. Hong Kong is one of the
world's great culinary centres and caters for all tastes. As well
as Chinese food, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese,
Malaysian and almost all Western cuisine are available. A satisfactory
meal for business people and their guests will cost (excluding drinks)
between HK$150-HK$250 per head plus tips. Fast food is available
for those wanting a quick snack and most hotels now provide speedy
executive lunches ranging from HK$150 to HK$230 per head (excluding
drinks). There are also several English style pubs. The Chinese
often prefer to entertain at a restaurant. There are many hundreds
of Chinese restaurants of all sizes spread throughout the business
districts of Hong Kong and Kowloon. Chinese cooking styles vary
greatly. A visitor wishing to try a few Chinese dishes for lunch
can go to a restaurant serving Dim Sum where staffs circulate carrying
trays, from which a choice of small dishes can be made. Shopping: Hong Kong is synonymous
with high-quality shopping in the minds of many visitors. Hong Kong's
stores are famous for their variety. Places that display the HKTA
sign (Hong Kong Tourist Association) are the best guarantee of satisfaction.
Bargaining is practised in the smaller shops and side stalls only.
Tailoring is first class. There are computer superstores at Causeway
Bay, Wanchai and Mongkok, full of tiny booths selling the cyber
equivalent of Hong Kong tailoring and teenage hustlers pushing pirated
software. However, for most electrical goods, there are worse places
than the many branches of the Fortress chain. Standard opening hours
are daily 0930-1900 and later in many cases. Hong Kongers bridle
at the very idea of a sales tax, so visitors can forget about hoarding
their receipts. Transportation: Kai Tak' Airport
is one of the busiest airports in the world, at the centre of a
network of routes covering Asia. There is an extensive infrastructure
of bus and rail services from CLK to destinations in Hong Kong.
Air, rail and ferry services operate to and from Guangzhou (Canton).
The plentiful taxis and one of the best public transportation systems
in the world, including mainline and underground trains, buses,
minibuses, trams and ferries. Health risks: Eating raw shellfish
has been associated with recent hepatitis outbreaks in Hong Kong.
Drink only bottled water or water that has been boiled for at least
20 minutes. Expect to pay HK$5 to HK$10 for a litre of bottled distilled
water. [top] |
