Hong Kong
Overview of Hong Kong
History
Hong Kong as we know it today has existed for a mere blink of an eye. But there was a lot going on in the region before that wintry morning in 1841 when a contingent of British marines clambered ashore and planted the Union flag on the western part of Hong Kong Island, claiming it for the British Crown.
Geography
The Geography of Hong Kong is surprisingly varied, beyond the compact jungle of the high-rises and the busy retail and entertainment districts, lie large expanses of greenery, rugged mountain peaks, marshes and natural reserves in the lowlands and over 260 islands.
Hong Kong is located in Asia, clinging to the southern tip of China's Guangdong Province (Canton) and bordering the city of Shenzhen.
Hong Kong lies on the eastern edge of the Pearl River Estuary surrounded by the South China Sea.
The Shenzhen and Sha Tau Kok Rivers serve as the natural border between Hong Kong and Mainland China.
Hong Kong's Land Area amounts to merely 426 square miles. This scarce availability of land is a contributing factor in making it one of the most densely populated cities in the world.
Land Area: 1,104 km2 or 426 mi2
Sea Area: 1,650 km2 or 640 mi2
Total Area: 2,754 km2 or 1,063 mi2
"Hong Kong– Country Quick-facts"
Area: 1,104 km².
Capital: Hong Kong has no capital. Major areas include: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, New Territories and 365 outlying islands.
Country Code: 852
Country Population: 7,234,800
Credit Cards: All major credit cards are widely accepted.
Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD = 100 cents)
Departure Tax: HK$150 (Appox. CAD$22 / US$19)
Drives on the: Left
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz
Ethnic Groups: Chinese 93.6%, other 6.4%
Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Official Language(s): Chinese (Cantonese), English; both are official.
Religion: Eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%
Time Zone: UTC+8
Tipping: Hong Kong is not as much of a tipping culture in comparison to mainland China, but for tour guides, we suggest you leave a gratuity of between 10 to 90 HKD per person (to be split between the guide and the driver). Due to the higher cost of private tours, private tour guides do not expect a fee. If using the services of a hotel porter, it’s customary to tip them at least HK$10. There is no obligation to tip taxi drivers, just round the fare up a little. It is recommended you tip hotel staff HK$10-20. Most restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill.
Language
Mandarin is the official language of China and is spoken by most of its population. While most hotels in the country employ staff who are fluent in other languages, visitors cannot count on communicating in English with people they meet outside of tourist facilities. It’s advisable to have addresses or instructions written down in Chinese to show to taxi drivers. All major streets have signposts in pinyin (the Romanisation system for Chinese characters), which make it easier to get around with the help of a map.
Many people in China, especially young people, study English and welcome the opportunity to practise with foreigners. Don't be afraid to ask for directions in English from people on the street. You’ll usually be rewarded with a polite and often heroic attempt to help.
Customs
Visitors entering Mainland China must follow the regulations of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China. For details, please check the China National Tourism Administration website.
Transportation
There is a whole host of transport options connecting Hong Kong to Mainland China and Macao.
Air
There are frequent daily flights between Hong Kong and major cities in Mainland China. Please check with your local airline for details, or you can find contact information for multiple airlines by using our search service.
Train
The MTR runs regular high speed rail
services to Mainland China, connecting Hong Kong to 58 Mainland stations without interchange. Travellers clear both Hong Kong and China immigration at Hong Kong West Kowloon Station. Other than high speed rail, the MTR also runs through-train intercity services to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong. The through-train terminus is Hung Hom Station in Kowloon, where travellers pass through Hong Kong immigration.
Ferry
There are fast ferries to and from Macao and destinations along the coast of Mainland China. These services operate from the Hong Kong–Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island; the China ferry terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon and Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal in New Territories.
Hong Kong Tours
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