Hong Kong is a world city and it’s vast number of tourists come from everywhere the planet altogether year round. consistent with the Hong Kong Government statistics, the amount of international tourists visited Hong Kong in 2005 reaches 10.8 million which represents a 13.1% increase in comparison to 2004. Countries like Australia, Canada, French, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Korean, Thailand, British and us all contributes significant tourist growth for Hong Kong . this text presents some critical traveler tips for tourists in order that you’ll enjoy more and have an exquisite trip to Hong Kong .
1. identity and Safety
Tourists must carry valid identity documentation like passport during their stay in Hong Kong . Hong Kong may be a very safe city consistent with the low rate . However, thanks to the densely population, it’s not suggested to require an outsized amount of money when going out since most of the shops in Hong Kong accepts credit cards. Expensive belongs should be locked within the safe in hotel. you’ll easily find policemen on the streets whenever you’ve got encountered any problems.
2. Service Charges
Most of the restaurants except nutriment shops will add 10% service charges to the bill. Therefore, you’ll prefer to give out the odd dollars from the changes because the service tips. For taxi driver or bellboy within the hotel, there’s no pre set norm for the service tips, you’ll prefer to give out whenever you think that the service is deserved for.
3. telephone company
All local call is free apart from the general public telephone which charges HK$1 for each 5 minutes. Emergency call is 999 and it’s liberal to call even publicly telephone. you’ll either use IDD call card or mastercard for long distance call, or just through operator for call altogether public telephone counter.
4. beverage
The beverage in Hong Kong reaches World Health Organization standard. However, you’ll also prefer to buy the bottle water within the supermarkets if you think that it’s necessary.
5. Taxi
All taxi only accept cash and that they have invoice print out whenever you request. it’s easier to catch the taxi within the taxi stop or outside the hotel. Many of the taxi drivers could understand simple English. it’s suggest writing down your destination (in English) on paper to attenuate misunderstandings. The taxi charges is predicated on the meter which is HK$15 for the primary 2 Km and HK$1.4 for the next 0.2 Km. Besides, there are tunnel charges starting from HK$3-45 depends on which tunnel you’ve got to require . The charging table is clearly shown on the inner side of the doors so you’ll check it before you pay. just in case of any complaints or lost case, you’ll record down the name of the taxi driver and his car place number which is clearly shown on the front seat stand, and reports to the police hotline: 2527 7177 whenever necessary.
6. Mass Transit Railway (MTR)
- Hong Kong has 6 MTR routes, which covers most parts of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories.
- Tsuen Wan Route: Tsuen Wan to Central
- Kwun Tong Route: Yau Mat Tei to Tiu Keng Leng
- Tseung Kwan O Route: North Point to Po Lam
- Main Route: Sheung Wan to Chai Wan
- Tung Chung Route: Tung Chung to Hong Kong
- Airport Route: Airport to Hong Kong
Due to the convenience of MTR and therefore the compact area of Hong Kong , most tourists find it’s not necessary to rent car during their stay. Besides, thanks to the very heavy traffic and therefore the complexity of the town roads, it’s not recommended for tourists to drive. just in case you actually need hire car , you’ll consult your hotel, and be ready together with your passport and driver’s license .
7. Kowloon Canton Railway (KCR)
The KCR is that the major railway which links up the New Territories and therefore the city of Kowloon. It runs through Tsim Sha Tsui East to Lo Wu which takes about 40 minutes for the entire route. Lo Wo is that the final station which you’ll undergo to enter China with valid visa. The train will depart for each 3 to 10 minutes, and therefore the earliest one are going to be started at 5:35 a.m. while the last one are going to be departed at 12:20 p.m. the standard fair and therefore the first-class fair are HK$18 and HK$36 respectively from Hung Hom to Sheung Shui.
8. Tram
The tram service has been started in 1904 and it’s the oldest transportation in Hong Kong . It only services the Hong Kong Island running from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan plus another route to Happy Valley. The earliest tram starts at 6: 00 a.m. and run until 1:00 p.m. and therefore the fair is HK$ 2 for adult and HK$ 1 for youngsters under age12. it’s the most cost effective transportation in Hong Kong , and you’re highly recommended to require a ride at the upper stairs in order that you’ll enjoy all the road scenery of Hong Kong .
9. Star Ferry
The scenery of Hong Kong harbor is legendary within the world, especially the night scenery. Besides, there’s spectacular display by the commercial buildings within the Hong Kong island at 8:00 p.m. nightly which you want to not miss. The Star Ferry has been serving on the harbor for quite 100 years, and therefore the fair is a smaller amount than HK$3 per rides. you’ll take the Star Ferry from Cental to Tsim Sha Tsui at around 8:00 p.m. you’ll enjoy the harbor scenery on the ferry and continue with the sunshine show at the Starlight Road of Tsim Sha Tsui.
10. Hong Kong International Airport
The most convenient route to the Hong Kong International Airport is thru the MTR which takes about 23 minutes from Central. It passes through stations of Kowloon, Olympic, Tsing Yi, and therefore the train are going to be departed for each ten minutes. With the MTR, you’d never miss the airplane thanks to the normal holdup . aside from the MTR, you’ll take the Airport Bus which starts from 6:00 a.m. at the morning until 11:00 p.m. at night. It covers most a part of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon with major hotels.