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Travel Information on Hong Kong
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Hong Kong (HK)
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| Continent: |
Asia |
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| Area: |
1,104 km² |
| Population: |
701,390 |
| Capital city: |
Hong Kong |
ISO code: |
HK |
| National language: |
Chinese, English |
International dialling code: |
+852 |
| Currency: |
Hong Kong Dollar |
Licence plate number: |
HK |
| Flight routes from Hong Kong: |
521 |
Flight routes to Hong Kong: |
509 |
| Popular airports: |
Hong Kong (HKG),
Hong Kong (HHP)
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| Large cities: |
Hong Kong,
Tai Wan,
Shek Pai Wan Resettlement Estate,
Pak Tam Chung,
Ma Tin Tsuen,
Wang Long,
Tai Wan,
Shek Pai Tau,
Pak Tam Au,
Wang Leng Tau,
Pak Tam,
Ma Tau Wai,
Tai Wai,
Shek O Village,
Ma Tau Kok
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| Airlines based in Hong Kong: |
Cathay Pacific Airways,
Dragonair,
East Asia Airlines,
Hong Kong Express Airways,
Air Hong Kong,
Oasis Hong Kong Airlines,
CR Airways
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Seaport and major commercial center on the south-eastern coast of China.
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Hong Kong, (chin. Sweet smelling harbour), is a Special Administrative Area of China on the south coast of the North Chinese Sea and is part of the Peoples Republic of China.
Geography: the territory of Hong Kong is on the estuary of Pearl River and extends to over 235 islands. Until 1st July 1997, it was a British Crown Colony. According to the set of guidelines developed by Deng Xiaoping, Hong Kong will be a market oriented trade zone for the next 50 years, thereby securing its position as an important financial and trade centre in Asia.
Mountains and rivers: the highest mountain is the Tai-Mo-Shan with 958 metres (3,143 ft), the Victoria peak (552 m; 1811 ft) is however much more famous and is very popular for day trips with the locals as well as tourists. The panorama of Kowloon and large parts of Hong Kong is spectacular especially in the early evenings. The hill is easily accessible using the cog railway, the so-called Peak Tram.
Climate and best time to travel: the climate is tropical with an annual average temperature of 22 ° C. In the winter between January and March it tends to be a little cooler, the warmest temperatures being between April and September. At this time it can get very hot and the air humidity can reach an uncomfortable 98 %. The short autumn between October and December is the best time to visit Hong Kong, as the climate at this time is constantly warm and dry.
National language and communication: the official and national language is Cantonese. In general, everyone understands English.
Health and immunisation: vaccination against hepatitis A, polio, diphtheria and tetanus are recommended. Skin should be covered and a local insect repellent used to prevent infection with viruses spread by mosquitoes. Medical care in Hong Kong is good and comparable to European standards. However, travellers should obtain a comprehensive travel and medical insurance, as the cost of health care in Hong Kong is very high.
Entry requirements: British nationals may stay in Hong Kong for up to six months without needing a visa. Single parents and those travelling alone with children should check laws governing entry to Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London before embarking on their journey. As a rule children will need their own passport, an entry in the parents passport is however also possible.
Further information on entry requirements, safety and immunisation is available on the Foreign Office homepage.
Arrival and onward journey: the international airport Chek Lap Kok is on the island of Lantau and was completed in 1998 after 6 years of construction work. It has been voted best airport on a regular basis for the last 5 years and the passenger terminal is the longest single building in the world with a length of 1,270 metres (4,166 ft). The airport is one of the most important airports in Asia and is served on a daily basis by many international airlines. Within a flight time of 5 hours, almost half of the world’s population may be reached from here.
Places of interest and beaches: due to the low taxes and the incredible choice of shopping facilities Hong Kong is a popular stop-over destination for many travelling on to Asia. There are however many other interesting places to visit besides the Victoria peak and the shopping facilities.
The car free Lamma Island is the third largest island and Hong Kong’s green lung. It is located amongst wonderful tropical countryside with several bathing facilities. The island may be accessed exclusively by ferry.
The island new territories with the Temple of the 1000 Buddha’s is popular with day trippers. The pagoda contains more than 10,000 small Buddha’s with every figure taking on a different posture. There is also a large hall with an altar and a large gold-plated statue of the Buddha.
The permanent exhibition in the Hong Kong History Museum on the island of Kowloon gives a good overview of the historical development of the city.
Opposite the historical museum is the science museum that is almost an enormous laboratory. The museum is ideal for children, all kinds of buttons may be pressed and experiments conducted. The most interesting part of the exhibition is the massive marble run with numerous resulting effects.
Lovers of art should visit the Hong Kong Museum of Art. There is a permanent exhibition of Chinese antiquities and works of art from many eras.
The Tsim-Sha-Tsui promenade has a fantastic view of Victoria Harbour and the harbour area of Hong Kong Island, the views are a welcome sight especially for romantic couples at all times of the day.
The Wong-Tai-Sin Temple in the heart of Kowloon should also be mentioned, it combines the Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist confessions and fascinates as a result of the many clairvoyants and the masses of visiting believers.
An insider tip is the Yuen-Po-Street Bird Garden, where older Chinese men breed birds, which is their favourite hobby or passion.
Another destination popular for day trips is Macao, the peninsula may be reached in about 60 minutes by hydrofoil. As gambling, apart from horse racing, is prohibited in Hong Kong, thousands of gambling addicts make their pilgrimage every day to the neighbouring Chinese special administrative area.
Hong Kong is well linked up with the Chinese railway network with regular connections to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Dongguan
Highlight: on the biggest island in Hong Kong’s, Lantau Island, where the airport is also to be found, in the monastery of Po Lin, is the biggest free-sitting statue of Buddha in the whole of Asia. The statue of Buddha sits on a lotus flower is 26 metres high and weighs a total of 200 tons. The statue is a must for visitors to Asia.
Religion: Hong Kong’s population is 99 % Chinese the most important religions are Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Only 10 % of the population are of Christian faith and are predominantly Anglican and Catholic, Muslims are in the minority.
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Favourite Flights and Cheap Flights from and to Hong Kong / HK
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Flight Bangkok Hong Kong (BKK HKG) 146 Flights per week with American Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Thai Airways
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Flight London Hong Kong (LON HKG)
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Flight Shanghai Hong Kong (PVG HKG) 249 Flights per week with Cathay Pacific Airways, Dragonair
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Flight Mumbai Hong Kong (BOM HKG) 23 Flights per week with Air India, Cathay Pacific Airways, El Al Israel Airlines
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Flight London-Heathrow Hong Kong (LHR HKG) 80 Flights per week with Cathay Pacific Airways, British Airways, Qantas Airways, Air New Zealand, Virgin Atlantic Airways
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Flight Saigon Hong Kong (SGN HKG) 53 Flights per week with United Airlines, Trans North Aviation, Cathay Pacific Airways, British Airways, Air Canada, Deutsche Lufthansa
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Flight Graz Hong Kong (GRZ HKG)
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Flight Birmingham Hong Kong (BHX HKG)
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Flight Hyderabad Hong Kong (HYD HKG)
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Flight Manchester Hong Kong (MAN HKG) 14 Flights per week with Cathay Pacific Airways
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