Hong Kong
is an international city and it has vast number of tourists come from all over
the world in all year round. According to the Hong Kong Government statistics,
the number of international tourists visited Hong Kong in 2005 reaches 10.8
million which represents a 13.1% increase when compared to 2004. Countries such
as Australia, Canada, French, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore,
Korean, Thailand, British and United States all contribute significant tourist
growth for Hong Kong. This article presents some critical traveler tips for
tourists so that you could enjoy more and have a wonderful trip to Hong Kong.
1. Personal Identity and Safety
Tourists
must carry valid personal identity documentation such as passport during their
stay in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a very safe city according to the low crime
rate. However, due to the densely population, it is not suggested to take a
large amount of cash when going out since most of the shops in Hong Kong
accepts credit cards. Expensive belongs should be locked in the safe in hotel.
You could easily find policemen on the streets whenever you have encountered
any problems.
2. Service Charges
Most of the
restaurants except fast food shops will add 10% service charges to the bill.
Therefore, you may choose to give out the odd dollars from the changes as the
service tips. For taxi driver or bellboy in the hotel, there is no pre set norm
for the service tips, you may choose to give out whenever you think the service
is deserved for.
3. Telephone Service
All local
telephone call is free except for the public telephone which charges HK$1 for
every 5 minutes. Emergency call is 999 and it is free to call even in public
telephone. You could either use IDD telephone call card or credit card for long
distance call, or simply through operator for collect call in all public
telephone counter.
4. Drinking Water
The
drinking water in Hong Kong reaches World Health Organization standard.
However, you may also choose to buy the bottle water in the supermarkets if you
think it is necessary.
5. Taxi
All taxi
only accept cash and they have invoice print out whenever you request. It is
easier to catch the taxi in the taxi stop or outside the hotel. Many of the
taxi drivers could understand simple English. It is suggest writing down your
destination (in English) on paper to minimize misunderstandings. The taxi
charges is based on the meter which is HK$15 for the first 2 Km and HK$1.4 for
the subsequent 0.2 Km. Besides, there are tunnel charges ranging from HK$3-45
depends on which tunnel you have to take. The charging table is clearly shown
on the inner side of the doors so you could check it before you pay. In case of
any complaints or lost case, you may record down the name of the taxi driver
and his license plate 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 the compact area of Hong Kong, most tourists find it is
not necessary to rent car during their stay. Besides, due to the very heavy
traffic and the complexity of the city roads, it is not recommended for
tourists to drive. In case you really need car rental, you may consult your
hotel, and be ready with your passport and driving license.
7. Kowloon Canton Railway (KCR)
The KCR is
the major railway which links up the New Territories and the city of Kowloon.
It runs through Tsim Sha Tsui East to Lo Wu which takes about 40 minutes for
the whole route. Lo Wo is the final station which you could pass through to
enter China with valid visa. The train will depart for every 3 to 10 minutes,
and the earliest one will be started at 5:35 a.m. while the last one will be
departed at 12:20 p.m. The ordinary fair and the first class fair are HK$18 and
HK$36 respectively from Hung Hom to Sheung Shui.
8. Tram
The tram
service has been started in 1904 and it is the oldest transportation system in
Hong Kong. It only services the Hong Kong Island running from Kennedy Town to
Shau Kei Wan plus another route to Happy Valley. The earliest tram starts at 6:
00 a.m. and run until 1:00 p.m. and the fair is HK$ 2 for adult and HK$ 1 for
children under age12. It is the cheapest transportation in Hong Kong, and you
are highly recommended to take a ride at the upper stairs so that you could
enjoy all the street scenery of Hong Kong.
9. Star Ferry
The scenery
of Hong Kong harbor is famous in the world, especially the night scenery.
Besides, there is spectacular light show by the commercial buildings in the
Hong Kong island at 8:00 p.m. every night which you must not miss. The Star
Ferry has been serving on the harbor for more than 100 years, and the fair is
less than HK$3 per rides. You could take the Star Ferry from Cental to Tsim Sha
Tsui at around 8:00 p.m. You could enjoy the harbor scenery on the ferry and
continue with the light 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 through the MTR
which takes about 23 minutes from Central. It passes through stations of
Kowloon, Olympic, Tsing Yi, and the train will be departed for every ten
minutes. With the MTR, you would never miss the airplane due to the traditional
traffic jam. Other than the MTR, you could take the Airport Bus which starts
from 6:00 a.m. at the morning until 11:00 p.m. at night. It covers most part of
Hong Kong Island and Kowloon with major hotels.
