香港 东方明珠 幻彩咏香江
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Hong Kong Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information
Hong Kong Seasons
Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate, being temperate for nearly half the year, with cool, dry winters and hot, humid summers.
Winter lasts from January to March with January and February more cloudy, with occasional cold fronts followed by dry northerly winds. It is not uncommon for temperatures to drop below 10 C in urban areas.
Summer - March and April are very pleasant. May to August are hot and humid with occasional showers and thunderstorms, and the highest temperatures often exceed 31 C. July to September are the months when Hong Kong is most likely to be affected by tropical cyclones.
Hong Kong is an all-year-round destination. The most popular time to visit is from the middle of September to the end of February, when the weather is cooler.
Amongst skyscrapers, Hong Kong draws you in, dazzles your senses and has you begging for more.
Past and present are side by side in the incense-filled temples, the towering skyscrapers and outlying islands...
Top 4 Hong Kong Attractions
1 Victoria Peak - Climb to the top of Victoria Peak for a bird's eye-view of Hong Kong, striking and rewarding...
2 Repulse Bay - Its beach is long and broad with clean water, fine sand, calm tide and gentle wave...
3 Aberdeen - Fishing boats ranging from traditional Chinese sailing boats to luxuriously furnished modern ships fill the bay.
4 Ocean Park - The biggest amusement park in Southeast Asia. Explore mysteries of ocean, see interesting performance of dolphins ...
Hong Kong History
First Opium War
Since the 17th century, the British began running opium to China and [Hong Kong] (/china-guides/china-city-guides/hong-kong/) gradually became one important transferring point used by the British to transfer opium to China. The period from 18th to 19th witnessed a raging drug trafficking which resulted in a large number of addicts throughout the country.
The Qing government realized the harms and dangers brought by the opium flow to his country and people and started to ban the opium trade. The British thus resort to military action against China so as to maintain their trade benefits and started the First Opium War.
Treaty of Nanking
The first Opium War ended with the defeat of China. The notorious Qing Government nervous at the thought of more devastating attacks decided to sign the first unfair "Treaty of Nanking" and allowed to cede the Hong Kong Island to Britain and open five other ports for foreign trade.
Second Opium War
The Treaty of Nanking greatly encouraged the Britain to demand more rights and territory from China. To meet their insatiable appetite for territory, the British allied with the French launched the second Opium War and took possession of the Kowloon Peninsula; in 1898, the British acquired the New Territories and other over 200 islands around the waters under a 99 - year lease.
Return to China
The British controlled Hong Kong from then - except a four-year period during World War II when the territory was occupied by the Japanese. In July 1st 1997, Hong Kong was handed over to China after 100 year's colonial rule and the British set sail from the [Victoria Harbor] (/china-guides/china-attractions/victoria-peak-hong_kong/).
Now Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China which is governed under the policy of "One country, two Systems."
Hong Kong Food
Hong Kong Dishes
Cantonese Cuisine - One well developed dish in Cantonese Cuisine is Dim Sum. Dim Sum includes dishes based on meat, seafood, vegetables, as well as desserts and fruit.
Buddhist Cuisine - This cuisine is essentially vegetarian specialties using tofu, wheat gluten, mushroom and other non-animal sourced ingredients.
Hakka Cuisine - This form of cooking style from the Hakka people originally came from Guangdong and Fujian in southeastern China. The style uses dried and preserved ingredients.
Beijing Cuisine - The variety and complexity of Beijing Cuisine provide a glimpse of what imperial Chinese Emperors might have eaten at one time. Try Beijing Roast Duck...
Featured Hong Kong Restaurants
Cafe Deco
Add Peak Galleria, Victoria Peak
Tel 2849 5111
Hours 10:30am to 11pm
Open Kitchen
Add 6/F Kong Kong Arts Center, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai
Tel 2827 2923
Hours 11am to 11pm
Va Bene
Add 58-62 D'Aguilar Street, Central
Tel 2845 5577
Hours noon to 3pm
Hong Kong Entertainment
Shopping
Shopping is a part of the Hong Kong psyche and seeing endless rows of shops and shopping centers will make you cave in.
Causeway Bay - As the center of shopping for medium and high-level goods as well as dining, everybody can find their favorite. Gathering together various shops for gold ornaments, clothes and cosmetics, the region contains the main large-scaled shopping malls like Time Square, Sogo, Lees Garden and many malls for the youth.
Tsim Sha Tsu - A prosperous high-ranking shopping and recreational area. Harbor City is the biggest mall in Hong Kong; Park Lane Shopper's Boulevard of 200 meters is the favorite shopping place for women; Canton Road and Beijing Road are the places for lots of chain stores of various famous brands; and Granville Road is for cosmetics and exported finished clothes.
Central - Top boutiques and large shopping malls are elegant and luxury. Landmark Square has three floors and sells the elegant top brands. Pacific Place mainly sells leather clothes, including LV, Channel, Tiffany and Levin; Galleria Square is a heaven for top Italian brands; and Peddar Building leads the trend of restoration.
Mong Kok - It is always fresh and energetic because most small malls and streets aim at the young generation...
Nightlife
Hong Kong provides a vibrant nightlife. Do not fight the temptation to join the party.
Lan Kwai Fong has become the icon of nightlife. A bustling array of restaurants, eateries, pubs and bars makes up the Hong Kong's trendiest nightlife area.
Nightclubs - Nightclubs cater to foreigners and tourists. Performance includes singing, [acrobat] (/china-guides/chinese-culture/acrobatics/), folk dances and Cantonese Opera.
Hong Kong Map
Hong Kong Island Map
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Hong Kong Attraction Map
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Hong Kong Subway Map
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Hong Kong Transportation
Get In
Air - Hong Kong International Airport is just north of Lantau Island on Chek Lap Kok Island. The easiest way to get to [Kowloon] (/china-guides/china-attractions/kowloon-hong_kong) and [Central] (/china-guides/china-attractions/central-hong_kong) is to take the Airport Express train, tickets are HK$100 and it is quick trip to the heart of Kong Kong.
Get Around
Bus - The extensive bus system offers a bewildering number of routes that take you just about anywhere in Hong Kong. Most visitors use the buses to explore the south side of Hong Kong Island and the [New Territories] (/china-guides/china-attractions/new-territories-hong_kong/).
Ferry - [Star Ferry] (/china-guides/china-attractions/star-ferry-hong_kong/) goes between Hong Kong Island and [Kowloon] (/china-guides/china-attractions/kowloon-hong_kong). Inexpensive and convenient, it is one of the best ways to get a close-up view of [Victoria Harbor] (/china-guides/china-attractions/victoria-harbor-hong_kong/) and the classic Hong Kong skyline.
Subway - It is clean, fast, safe, relatively cheap and will get you to most places in Hong Kong. The four lines are color-color coded and buying tickets are a cinch using the bilingual machines.
Taxi - Taxi fares start at around HK$15. They are usually easy to flag down, except at bus stops, restricted areas or during rush hours. Many taxis have a card that lists the top 50 destinations in English, Cantonese and Japanese.
Tram - Tramlines are found only along the north of Hong Kong Island, the fare is HK$2. The tram to [Victoria Peak] ((/china-guides/china-attractions/victoria-peak-hong_kong) crawls its way up the steep slope to one of Hong Kong's attractions. Two -way tickets are Hk$30 for adult and HK$9 for children.
Victoria Peak - Want to have a marvelous overlooking at the Victoria Harbor and the Kowloon Peninsula? Victoria Peak high above the glistening lights of Hong Kong is your perfect choice!
Repulse Bay - Stretching long with clear azure blue water gently lapping the seashore, it is the most spectacular bay in Hong Kong. This Sun-drenched Bay is a luxurious residential area for dining, relaxation...
Hong Kong Disneyland - The theme park is dedicated to the young and the young at heart - with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration...
Central - Known as economic and tourist hub in Hong Kong Island, Central is admired for fantastic fusion of old markets, designer boutiques and shopping malls with exclusive brand names in abundance.
Hong Kong Highlights List
Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Ocean Park
Victoria Peak
Repulse Bay
Wanchai-Causeway Bay
Happy Valley Horse Racing
Star Ferry
Aberdeen
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Kowloon
Tsim Sha Tsu
Victoria Harbor
New Territories
Sha Tin
Sai Kung Peninsula
Lan Kwai Fong
Causeway Bay
Central
Stanley
Ladies Street
Wai Chai
Victoria Harbor
New Territories
Sha Tin
Sai Kung Peninsula
Lan Kwai Fong
Causeway Bay
Central
Stanley
Ladies Street
Wai Chai
Natural Scene
Victoria Peak- Victoria Harbor
- Repulse Bay
- Wanchai-Causeway Bay
- Kowloon
- Aberdeen
- Sai Kung Peninsula
- New Territories
- Sha Tin
Historical Site
Cultural Site
Nightlife
Day Entertainment & Sports
Shopping & Leisure
Hong Kong Highlights
Horse Racing in Hong Kong
Horse racing is no longer a sports only for Westerners. Horse racing in China is now widely accepted and start to draw more and more Chinese's people's attention. Horse racing usually takes place in Hong Kong and Macau, due to the influence by British.
Shopping in Hong Kong
With reasonable prices, various types and best service, Hong Kong is perhaps the best shopping place in the world. In Hong Kong, Shopping is not only the act of buying staff but a form of recreation, a way of life. Hong Kong shopping is one of the city's real attractions. Tourists can contently enjoy the shopping environment and experience the fashion tide.\
Cantonese Dim Sum
Who hasn't spent a lazy afternoon in their favorite Chinese restaurant, sipping tea and feasting on the innumerable assortment of delicacies that make up Chinese Dim Sum? Literally meaning "to touch your heart," Dim Sum consists of a variety of dumplings, steamed dishes and other goodies.
Kung Hei Fat Choy
During the Chinese New Year, Kung Hei Fat Choy can always be heard. It's a Chinese phrase, and the meaning of which is 'wish you a good fortune'. There are also other sayings for spring festival, but Kung Hei Fat Choy is still the most popular and traditional one.
Kung Fu Film
As one of film genres, Kung Fu Film has mainly been produced in China, peaking in the 1970s, and has been dominated by Hong Kong action cinema and its kung fu and wuxia films. This genre is a type of action film characterized by extensive fighting scenes employing various types of martial arts. Famous actors include Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li.
Cantonese Cuisine
Using a wide range of ingredients from the sky, earth and water, Cantonese Cuisine always keeps the freshest taste of each kind of food. It's main cooking methods are steaming and stir-frying, which are the key to the special taste of Cantonese Cuisine.
Hong Kong FAQ & Travelers's Tips
Weather
Shopping
Other Hints
- What I need to know about Visa and Passports?
- Is it easy for me to exchange money here?
- How to tip in Hong Kong?
- Information Directory Desk
- Useful Numbers
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How is the weather like in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate, being temperate for nearly half the year, with cool, dry winters and hot, humid summers. March and April are very pleasant.
May to August is hot and humid with occasional showers and thunderstorms, and the highest temperatures often exceed 31C. Winter lasts from January to March with January and February more cloudy, when occasional cold fronts followed by dry northerly winds.
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When is the most popular time to visit Hong Kong?
Hong Kong is an all-year-round destination. The most popular time to visit is from the middle of September to the end of February, when the weather is cooler.
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When is the best time to shop in Hong Kong?
Summer is possibly the best time to shop in Hong Kong as incredible deals are offered during the annual Hong Kong Shopping Festival. The massive sales draw shoppers from all over Asia every year.
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Top ten tips for shopping in Hong Kong
1 Compare Prices
Check the price of the item you want to buy in your home country first. When arriving in Hong Kong you should check out some of the larger department stores or reputable dealers for your product. It's better for you to start bargaining when you know how much the goods cost.
2 Understand the Exchange Rate
This may sound simple, but many tourists get ripped-off here is because they don't know the exchange rate - make sure you do.
3 Know the Product
Know exactly what you want to buy.
4 Choose Your Shop Carefully
The Hong Kong Tourism Board has a Quality Control Scheme that vets shops on pricing, honesty and a host of other attributes - these shops generally don't offer bargains but are reputable. Unless you are confident of price and product, you should also avoid shops that don't clearly display the price of an item.
5 Shop Around
If you're determined to go bargain hunting, shop around. Hong Kong salespeople are notoriously aggressive when negotiating, however the ball is in your court, if you don't like the salesperson or the price quoted is to high, move on to the next store.
6 Check the Product
Hong Kong shops have an undeserved reputation for using switch and bait tactics, this involves showing you one product but placing an inferior item in the box. This practice is not widespread, nevertheless you need to make sure what you think you're buying is what you leave the store with.
7 Compatibility
Ensure compatibility. Check the voltage and broadcast of any item you want to buy.
8 Warranty
Make sure the product has an international warranty. This can be a problem with 'Parallel Imports', these products are usually brought into Hong Kong by someone other than the official importer, and are often electronic items. Although cheap, their warranty is usually void.
9 Beware of Bootlegs
There are plenty of bootleg and illegal products on Hong Kong's streets, which police usually turn a blind eye to, however if you are found with these at customs, they are subject to confiscation and you possibly to conviction.
10 Last Call
If you're in dispute, call the Consumer Council Hotline on 2929 2222 for assistance, you can also approach uniformed hawker police who patrol markets. -
What I need to know about Visa and Passports?
A visa is needed to enter Hong Kong from other countries. However, provisos of stay depend on the nationality, and some nationalities are allowed to come in as visa-free tourists for the period of one month. Among them are the US and EC nationals. The previous one year unconditional visa on arrival with work permit has been changed after the handover to a six month tourist visa on arrival.
Tourists who enter with a visitor's permit are not permitted to work. Those who are taking up employment in Hong Kong must obtain an advanced work permit from the Immigration Department. Usually, the company of hire will assist with the necessary paperwork.
When traveling around the country, be sure to carry along your passport or a photograph identity, just in case. The Immigration Department is strict with its regulations on illegal outsiders, so - to be on the safe side - the passport would come in handy.
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Is it easy for me to exchange money here?
Currency is Hong Kong Dollar. As the old saying goes, 'more banks than rice stalls in Hong Kong': moneychangers are everywhere. Please check the exchange rate and the service fee.
Customers with AMEX cards can draw Hong Kong Currency through ATMs directly and those with VISA and Master cards can draw local currency from ATMs marked for Visa or MasterCard electronic currency.
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How to tip in Hong Kong?
Some hotels and restaurants levy a 10% service charge while customers may add other 5% tip. For restaurants that don't levy a service charge, a 10% tip is expected. Tip taxi drivers, bellboys, and restroom attendants.
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Information Directory Desk
- 1018 English
- 1083 Cantonese
- 1088 Mandarin Chinese
- 1013 International directory
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Useful Numbers
- Complaint hotline (including taxi complaint): 2527 7177
- Tourist Hotline of Hong Kong Tourism Board: 2508 1234
- The Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: 2824 6111
- Postal Directory Hotline: 2921 2222
Nothing but modern; anything but ordinary. A dancing city with endless engergy, with charming nights when you lose yourself.
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