Customs and etiquette
Although visitors to Hong Kong sometimes find the people who live there to be rude as they often neglect to say please and thank you, manners are actually an important part of the culture here. Speaking loudly and laughing in public is considered to be very rude here and visitors should avoid showing affection in public.
Hong Kong citizens generally prefer to avoid all forms of body contact in public and people dress conservatively, even when sightseeing and in hot weather. Tipping is not common practice in Hong Kong and tourists who try to pay over the odds in restaurants and shops are likely to offend.
Money
The local currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD), which is accepted throughout Hong Kong. Most banks offer money changing facilities.
There are plenty of ATMs located around Hong Kong and many shops accept major credit cards. The easiest banks for tourists to use are HSBC, Hang Seng and Standard Chartered.
Weather
The best time to visit Hong Kong is between March and May, when the weather is warm and dry. Hong Kong enjoys a subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Temperatures drop to 10°C in the winter, rising to a hot and humid 33°C in the summer months.
The peak travel season is from September until December, and it is best to book in advance as finding accommodation at short notice can be almost impossible. Although it is fun to visit during major festivals such as Chinese New Year, Hong Kong becomes very busy during these times and accommodation prices can be sky high.
Transportation
Although Hong Kong is a pleasant place to explore on foot, taking in the entire city in this way can take some time. Fortunately, there are plenty of trams and buses available to take visitors around the city.
Most visitors arrive at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), which is the main gateway to this part of the world. The airport is situated on Chek Lap Kok Island, which is connected to Hong Kong Island by rail and the journey takes less than half an hour. It is also possible to travel from the airport by bus and ferry, while bridges and ferries connect Hong Kong Island with a number of surrounding islands.
Fast facts
Population: 7,055,071
Spoken languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, English
Electrical: 220-240 Volts, 50 Hertz
Phone/calling code: +85 2
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