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WEATHER
Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate with 4 distinct seasons. It is mild in winter, and hot & humid from May through Sep. Typhoon season is usually between Jul-Sep.
Average Temp Average Rain Spring (Mar-May) 22 C / 71.6F 42 mm Summer (Jun-Sep) 28 C / 82.4F 413 mm Fall (Oct-Dec) 23 C / 73.4F 35 mm Winter (Jan-Feb) 15 C / 59.0F 42 mm
WHAT TO WEAR
Dress according to season:
Spring Jackets or sweaters Summer Light, loose cottons Fall Light jackets Winter Light overcoats Many 1st class restaurants prefer customers to dress discreetly and may have jacket-and-tie dress codes for dinner; inquire when making reservations.
FOOD
Hong Kong's cuisine is famous worldwide. Its multi-ethnic society offers the best of Chinese food, as well as specialties from neighboring Asian countries and Western cuisine. Dining out is a way of life in Hong Kong, and an endless array of eating establishments flourish throughout the city.
TIPPING
A 10% service charge is usually added to bills in hotels and restaurants, but it is normal practice to leave small change and to give modest tips to taxi drivers, bellboys, and doormen.
For tour guide services, tipping is not mandatory but is customary. Recommended guidelines are:
GROUP TOURS (per person per day)
Guides US$2.00 Drivers US$1.00 FIT INDIVIDUAL TOURS (per person per day)
Guides US$4.00 Drivers US$2.00 * Above is for information only. Tipping is NOT mandatory and is at the discretion of each tour member.
LANGUAGE
Cantonese is spoken by the majority, though Mandarin is becoming increasingly widespread. English is the language of international business.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Public transport in Hong Kong is plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Taxis are numerous and fares are displayed on meters. Visitors can also use the quick and efficient Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and bus system. Also recommended are the tram on Hong Kong Island and the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour. Passenger ferries connect to outlying islands.
SHOPPING
The main shopping districts are Central and Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island, and Tsimshatsui in Kowloon. For bargains, try Stanley Market, Queen's Road East in Wanchai, Li Yuen Street in Central, and Temple Street Market in Kowloon. Countless shops and complexes are found throughout the city.
CURRENCY
The Hong Kong dollar is divided into 100 cents.
Exchange rates are approximately
CAD$1.00 = HKD$6.00 USD$1.00 = HKD$7.80 Currency exchange is readily available at major hotels, banks, or moneychangers. As rates are competitive, travelers should check rates and commission charges before transactions.
CUSTOMS
Hong Kong is a duty-free port, though duty is charged on some items. Duty free quotas:
Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
Liquor: 1-litre bottle of wine or spirits.
TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICES
HONG KONG TOURISM BOARD
(HEAD OFFICE)Ground floor, 9 Temperance St
Toronto, Ontario
M5H 1Y6
CanadaTel: 416-366-2389
Fax: 416-366-1098
Website: www.DiscoverHongKong.com
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