Hong Kong, population 6.9 million, is a city of energy! It is international - a city of East and West blending together. Hong Kong's official languages are English and Chinese. Cantonese is most commonly spoken; however, Mandarin (known as Putonghua in Hong Kong), the official language of China, is also widely spoken.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is fantastic. There is a wealth of free, excellent information for travelers. You may visit HKTB's homepage at www.discoverhongkong.com. One of your first stops at the Hong Kong International Airport (www.hkairport.com) should be the tourist information center (open from 7:00 to 23:00). The main HKTA office is located in the Central District at 99 Queen's Road Central - about a 10-minute walk west of Star Ferry pier and Central MTS station. In Hong Kong, you may call the HKTB Visitor Hotline (852 - 2508 1234).

Entry Requirements
A valid passport is the only document most attendees will need to enter Hong Kong. Keep your passport in a inconspicuous, safe place, and carry your passport with you. If you lose your passport, immediately contact the nearest embassy or consulate and the local police. If you plan for a trip to mainland China, you will need a visa. Visa's can be obtained in Hong Kong -(one photo and 3 working days). Travel Service issues China visas for HK$150 or HK$300 to process within 24 hours. Citizens of most countries may visit Macau without a visa.

Air
Hong Kong International Airport is one of the largest and most modern in the world. There are more than 40 airlines from around the world that fly into the airport at Chek Lap Kok. HKIA, referred to as Chek Lap Kok, is well marked and employs a very helpful staff. Carriers to Hong Kong include: Asiana, British Airways, Canadian, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Airlines, Continental, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Northwest Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.

Check-in & Boarding
You will need to check in at least two hours before departing from Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok (www.hkairport.com). If you plan on taking the train to the airport, you may check your luggage at the Airport Express Railway station on Hong Kong Island. For this wonderful, time-saving service, you will need to check in at least three hours in advance. The Airport Express is convenient in-town check-in. You may check your luggage, get your boarding pass, and pay the departure tax while still on Hong Kong Island. Check in as early as possible and bring your government-issued photo I.D. to the airport – your passport is best. Some people check in early in the day and board the train later on.
Please remember to retain your Hong Kong entry slip that you receive from the customs official at the passport control. You will need to return this slip of paper when you present your passport on your return flight home.

CLIMATE

Hong Kong is a subtropical location. In December, the range of temperature is between 17°C and 21°C with an average of 19.3°C. The average relative humidity is 72%. <www.weather.gov.hk>

Taxis: They can take you to anywhere from the airport. But you need to get the red taxi when going from the airport to urban areas. For a red taxi, the minimum fare is HK$16 for the first 2 kilometers. Additional fare of HK$1.40 is chargeable for every 200 meters thereafter, and the same is charged for waiting time per minute. Taxis also charge HK$5.00 per piece of baggage. Taxi passengers using the Lantau Link are required to pay an additional toll fare of HK$30, and additional fares are also charged for using toll tunnels. It takes about 30 minutes to go to the Tsim Sha Tsui East from the airport (i.e., to our four recommended hotels). The approximate fare is HK$300.

For further details of the transport to/from the airport, please visit http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/transport/to-from-airport/taxi.html

From Airport to Hotel: You can take the Hotel-link shuttle bus from airport to the various hotels in Kowloon including "Harbour Plaza Metropolis", "Hotel Nikko", "Regal Kowloon Hotel" and "The Royal Garden". The whole list of hotels can be found at http://www.trans-island.com.hk/eng/index.html. The counters BO1 are located at the Arrival Hall of the Hong Kong International Airport (Terminal 1, opposite to Exit B). The charge is about HK $140 per person from the Airport to hotels in Kowloon. It operates every 30-60 minutes. The time from airport to hotels is about one hour.

Airport Express: This is the quickest and most efficient way to get to downtown Hong Kong. After you pass customs and enter the hall, this station is straight ahead. The trains run every 10 minutes and take about 20 minutes to reach Kowloon Station. One-way fare to or from Hong Kong Station (Central) is HK$100; and to or from Kowloon Station, HK$90. Round trip tickets (valid for one month) cost HK$180 for Central and HK$160 for Kowloon. (Enquiry: 852-28818888) < www.mtr.com.hk>

Bus: This is a convenient and comfortable way to access to major locations in Hong Kong and Kowloon. The buses on the following five routes run at frequent intervals and the fares are competitive. For further details of the transport to/from the airport, please visit http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/transport/to-from-airport/bus.html

The Hong Kong dollar ($) and the cent are the units of currency. The dollar is divided into 100 cents. Bills come in denominations of 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, and 10 dollars. Coins are 10, 5, 2, and 1 dollar and 50, 20, and 10 cents. Bank notes are issued by the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Bank of China, or the Standard Chartered Bank.

Credit cards taken are usually American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, and Visa.

There are many automatic teller machines throughout Hong Kong, and they are reliable and safe. They offer a wide range of services. To draw money from a Hong Kong ATM with either a credit or a debit card, you must have a four-digit personal identification number – be sure you have that before traveling to Hong Kong. Exchange places charge a fee (inquire as to the amount) for changing money and cashing traveler's cheques.

You can exchange currency at the airport, hotels, banks, and with private money changers. However, banks will probably provide you with the best rates. (You may want to get a bit of local currency before you leave your home to avoid lines at airport exchange booths.)