Tourist Information

Weather
Hong Kong is located just a few degrees south of the Tropic of Cancer and is almost on the same latitude as Hawaii and Calcutta. The climate here is a pleasant year-round combination of the sub-tropical and temperate. Winter is a cool, dry season with many bright days. In the summer monsoon season, days tend to be warm and humid, with occasional heavy rainstorms. July, August and September is the typhoon season. Hong Kong has five levels of tropical cyclone warning. They range from 1 (the lowest and least intense) through 3, 8, 9 and 10 (the highest and most dangerous). Airport Express and MTR trains run normally during tropical cyclone signals 1 and 3. When cyclone signals of 8 or above are issued, Airport Express and MTR underground services normally run on a limited schedule, depending on the severity of the actual storm.

For the latest local weather information, please visit the Hong Kong Observatory website.

Currency
Hong Kong's standard unit of currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$). Notes are denominated in units of HK$10, HK$20, HK$50, HK$100, HK$500, and HK$1,000. There is also a nickel-and-bronze HK$10 coin; plus silver HK$1, HK$2, and HK$5 coins, and bronze 10cents, 20cents and 50cents coins.

Electricity
The voltage in Hong Kong is 220/240 volts. Most hotels will be happy to provide you with an adaptor on request.

Telephone Services
Calls from public phones cost HK$1. It is also easy to make IDD/ long-distance calls from public pay phones using coins, your credit card or a stored value phonecard. Available in values of HK$50, HK$150 and HK$200 and usable in all Cardphone boxes, stored value phonecards are one of the easiest and most cost effective ways of making both local and IDD calls.

Tipping
Most restaurants in Hong Kong add a 10% service charge to their patron's bills. In cases where a service charge is not levied, a 10% tip is generally welcomed. Small tips may also be given to taxi drivers, bellboys, doormen and washroom attendants at your discretion.

Getting Around via the MTR
The MTR is one of the world's most heavily utilised mass transit systems providing people with a safe, reliable and efficient way of getting around Hong Kong. The 211Kms network comprises 150 stations spread across the Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Island, Tung Chung, Tseung Kwan O, East Rail, West Rail, Ma On Shan and the Disneyland Resort Lines, the Airport Express and various Light Rail routes.

Other Transportation
Taxis, buses, ferries, trams and public light buses are other popular ways of getting around Hong Kong's downtown and outlying areas. Most ferry, bus, tram and public light bus services accept payment via Octopus.

Airport Departure Tax
Adult: HK$120
Children (aged 12 years and under): free

Useful Telephone Numbers
Hong Kong Country Code: 852

Emergency Services (Police, Fire and Ambulance)	999
Hong Kong Tourism Board- visitor hotline	(852) 2508 1234
Collect calls	10010
Telephone directory service	1081
IDD and phonecard enquiries	10013
Weather	1878200
Immigration Department (24hr)	(852) 2824 6111
Consulates & visa offices - Australia - Canada - Great Britain - Mainland China - Taiwan (Chung Hwa Travel Service) - USA	(852) 2827 8881 (852) 3719 4700 (852) 2901 3000 (852) 3413 2300 (852) 2525 8315 (852) 2523 9011
Consumer Council	(852) 2929 2222
Hong Kong International Airport (24 hours)	(852) 2181 8888
Department of Health	(852) 2961 8989