Visa Requirements
In general, all visitors to Hong Kong must have a passport that is valid for at least one month after the period of their intended stay in Hong Kong. However, documents issued to stateless persons must be valid for a minimum of two months after the period of the intended stay. Please contact the Immigration Department for details.
Nationals of most countries do not require visas and can stay for periods varying from 7 days to 180 days, depending on nationality. If unsure of status, check with any Chinese embassy or consulate. Please check the details about visa requirements on the Immigration Department's website.
Climate
Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with distinct changes. It is summer time when you visit Hong Kong in June-August. The average temperature lies between 26°C and 33°C and relative humidity can reach nearly 86 per cent. An umbrella or a hat can protect you from the intense sunshine. For the weather forecast, please visit the website of Hong Kong Observatory.
Dial-a-Weather:
Local Forecast and Temperature Readings (24 hours):
English 187-8066
Putonghua 187-8202
Cantonese 187-8200
Time Zone
The local time in Hong Kong is GMT + 8.
Time Zone Converter
Currency
The local currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$). The Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of US$1=HK$7.8, although the rate does vary slightly. All major currencies and travelers’ cheques can be exchanged at banks, hotels or moneychangers with some handling charges. Credit cards are widely accepted in Hong Kong and can be used to obtain cash advances at banks and automatic teller machines.
Official Language
The official languages are Chinese and English, with Cantonese the most widely spoken Chinese dialect. All major signage is in Chinese or bilingual. English is widely spoken in Hong Kong.
Telecommunications
Local calls from public coin phones cost HK$1 per five minutes. Most hotels have International Direct Dialing (IDD), but may charge an extra fee for local and/or IDD calls. Stored-value phone cards allow you to make calls on public coin and card phones. Internet access can be found in some of the cafes around the city and is generally available in the business centers of most of the hotels. For visitors' convenience, free Wi-Fi service is available throughout Passenger Terminal 1 and 2 of Hong Kong International Airport.
Emergency Numbers
| Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance) | 999 |
| Police Hotline | 2527 7177 |
| Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Hotline | 2508 1234 |
| Hong Kong International Airport | 2181 8888 |
| Hong Kong Immigration Department | 2824 6111 |
| Department of Health |
2961 8989 |
| Consumer Council | 2929 2222 |
| RTHK's service hotline (Newsline) for the latest news | 2272 0000 |
| Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong | 2807 0707 |
| Customs and Excise Department Enquiry Hotline | 2815 7711 |
| Hong Kong Post | 2921 2222 |
| Weather (Hong Kong Observatory) | 1878 200 |
| Hong Kong Hotels Association Hotel Reservation Hotline | 2383 8380 / |
| 2769 8822 | |
| Directory Enquiries | 1081 |
| International Services | 10010 |
International Enquiries Service (Country Codes & World Time Inquiries) |
10013 |
Electricity
The standard electrical voltage in Hong Kong is 220 volts AC, 50HZ. Most hotel bathrooms also have outlets for 100 volts, but otherwise you will need a transformer for any appliance or electrical equipment. The majority of electrical outlets in Hong Kong take a three-pronged UK-type plug.
