Welcome to Hong Kong

Blending old and new, a hint of British charm mingling with Asia tradition and heritage, Hong Kong is a world-class destination. Shop, dine, sightsee – it’s all here in spades.

Take a tram to the top of Victoria Peak. Wander through nature reserves and glimpse rare and colorful birds. Explore a village from the Song dynasty. Dig into Cantonese, Sichuanese and Japanese cuisine. Shop for gadgets and bespoke suits. Attend a Chinese opera or a concert on the harbor. There’s so much to do and all of it enchanting.

Unique Facts

• The world’s longest covered escalator, the Mid-Levels Escalator, is in Hong Kong and runs for a half-mile.
• While Hong Kong Island is the most famous, there are 263 islands in Hong Kong. Many are reachable by ferry, including Lantau, Cheung Chau and Lamma, but many are uninhabited.
• Most apartment buildings in Hong Kong don’t have a fourth floor because number four sounds like the world “death” in Chinese, which means unlucky!
• While Hong Kong is more known for its downtown area and skyscrapers, there is a lot of natural area – 24 parks, woodlands, reservoirs, hills and a coastline, to be exact.
• There are more than 350 banks in Hong Kong, including 70 of the world’s largest banks.

Language

Hong Kong’s official languages are Chinese and English.

When To Go

The best time to go to Hong Kong is from October to early December. If you’d like to visit during festival season, aim for January and February.

Airports

Hong Kong International Airport

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid for one month beyond arrival date.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

None for stays of under 90 days

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccines for most travelers when visiting Hong Kong: Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines. Depending on where you are traveling, you may also need Hepatitis B and Rabies vaccines.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: types D and G. Standard voltage: 220V. Frequency: 50Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Hong Kong Dollar

Getting Around

Be aware that road conditions differ significantly from those in the United States.

Public transportation includes taxi, bus and mass transit railway (MTR) service. The MTR is the most popular form of public transport.

Driver’s License

A valid US driver’s license is required.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau
26 Garden Road, Central,
Hong Kong
Telephone: +(852) 2841-2211, +(852) 2841-2225, +(852) 2841-2323
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(852) 2523-9011
Fax: +(852) 2845-4845
acshk@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

Hong Kong Island Visitor Centre
The Peak Piazza (between The Peak Tower and The Peak Galleria)
The Peak, Hong Kong Island

Kowloon Visitor Centre
Star Ferry Concourse
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

General Emergency: 999

Safety and Security

The crime rate is low in Hong Kong. Use standard safety precautions when in congested areas and do not leave belongings unattended.