Visa Information
Required for all US citizens: Passport (signed and
valid for 6 months). For
more information
|
Tourist
Information
U.S. Passport must be valid 6 months beyond stay
Tickets and documents for return or onward travel
No visa required for stay up to 90 days
Vaccinations - None Required
|
Business
Information
U.S. Passport must be valid 6 months beyond stay
Tickets and documents for return or onward travel
No visa required for stay up to 90 days
Vaccinations - None Required
|
| Any U.S. citizen who wishes to
travel to the Hong Kong for any purpose other than tourism
or business negotiations (e.g. work, study, adoption, immigration,
or stays longer than stipulated in the entry requirements)
should contact directly, the embassy or nearest consulate.
|
|
Location and Tips For Travelers
|
|
Location - Lying at the southeastern
tip of China, Hong Kong adjoins the province of Guangdong
(Canton), and is just south of the tropic of Cancer. The
total land area of Hong Kong is 1,078 square kilometres,
comprising Hong Kong Island (77.5 square kilometres);
Kowloon (45.5 square kilometres); and the New Territories,
including 235 outlying islands (955 square kilometres).
|
| Hong Kong weather and climate
- Many prefer to visit Hong Kong during November and December
when there are pleasant breezes, plenty of sunshine and
comfortable temperatures. January and February are still
doable months, but the temperature can drop to below 10°C
(50°F). Hong Kong enjoys year round sunshine, a mild winter
and a hot summer. Winter sees little rain and can be fairly
pleasant with average January temperatures rarely dipping
below 15 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). |
| Visiting manners - Handshaking
is the most common form of greeting with a slight bow, or
nod which is taken as a sign of respect. Business cards
are considered very important, especially for those conducting
business in Hong Kong. It is a good idea to have a Chinese
translation printed upon the back of your card. |
| Local customs - As the
Chinese lunar calendar and the Western calendar are both
in use in Hong Kong, setting dates for special events always
poses a bit of a problem. Consequently it is only possible
to give approximate dates. The Hong Kong Food Festival,
hailed as the culinary event in Asia's shifting calendar
takes place some time during March. |
| Tipping - Tipping in Hong
Kong is very important. Waiters and waitresses will expect
around 10 percent of the bill. Even when there is a service
charge already included it is still customary to leave a
small amount. Taxi drivers tend to mark up the fare to the
nearest HK$ and if not, will appreciate a little extra. |
| Transportation - Buses
are the most efficient way to explore the south and the
New Territories, Kowloon and the North are better served
by the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) or the interesting double-decker
trams while the best way to cut across the harbour is by
ferry, purely for the spectacular views. Metered taxis are
red or green with silver tops. |
|
Useful Phone Numbers & Addresses
|
|
The International Telephone Code
for Hong Kong is +852 +28 plus the number
|
| Ambulance, Police, Fire: |
999 |
| Directory Enquiry Service (English): |
1081 |
| Hong Kong Tourist Association:
|
Tel: 2807-6543
|
China
Travel Service (H.K.) Ltd.:
|
Tel: 2851-1700 |
American
Consulate General:
|
Tel: 2523-9011 |
| Consulate
General of Japan: |
Tel: 2522-1184 |