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. |
