HONG KONG Hong Kong perches on the edge of mainland China occupying an anomalous

 HONG KONG

 

            Hong Kong perches on the edge of mainland China occupying an anomalous

            position as a territory straddling two worlds. Since the handover in 1997 Hong

            Kong has become a ‘Special Administrative Region of China’ and no longer a

            subject of colonial sovereignty. Past and present fuse to create a capitalist utopia

            embedded within the world’s largest Communist country.

            Hong Kong offers a dense concentration of shops and shopping malls with a cross -

            pollinated cosmopolitan culture that embraces Nepalese and British cuisines with

            equal enthusiasm. It is the perfect gateway for travellers to Southeast Asia and

            China, providing a smooth transition from west to east. As one of the key

            H o n g K o n g a t n i g h t © d a s f a r b a m t

            economies of the Pacific Rim, Hong Kong Island showcases a gleaming landscape

            of skyscrapers and boasts a highly developed transport infrastructure that makes commuting around it a dream.

              

            Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals must have a valid passport, but no visa is required for a

            stay of up to three months.

            Passport/Visa Note:  All passports must be valid for at least one month after period of intended stay. All visitors

            must be in possession of onward or return tickets, except when in transit to mainland China or Macao, as well as

            all documents required for next destination and sufficient funds to cover their stay in Hong Kong.

            Health:  There are no specific health risks associated with travel to Hong Kong. Food and water are safe, although

            visitors should consider only drinking bottled water for the first few days of their stay. The Hepatitis E virus is

            transmitted through contaminated food and water and precautions should be taken with food and drink. Take

            precautions against mosquito bites, as there is a risk of Dengue fever. Outbreaks of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

            are reported annually. Hong Kong's health facilities are first class, but expect to pay cash. Medical insurance is

            advised. Cases of bird flu have been reported and although the risk for travellers is low, all close contact with

            caged, domestic and wild birds should be avoided, and all poultry and egg dishes well cooked. High quality medical

            care is widely available but medical insurance is recommended.

            Tipping:  A 10% service charge is usually added to restaurant bills, but waiters will still expect some loose change

            in addition to this. If no service charge is included, a 10% tip is expected. Taxi fares are rounded up to the

            nearest dollar (usually automatically by the driver).

            Climate:  The best time to travel to Hong Kong is between the autumn months of October and November when the

            temperatures are milder. January and February are usually cold and rainy months while June to September

            temperatures average 86°F (30ºC) with 95% humidity. Some rain and humidity can be expected throughout the

            year. Even during the height of summer it is worth bringing some warm clothing to combat the fierce air

            conditioning in shops and offices.

            Safety: Hong Kong is a safe travel destination although caution should always be exercised when travelling to any

            city. Pickpockets are likely to target unsuspecting tourists so one should minimise these incidences through

            vigilance. Be wary of accepting drinks from strangers, as reports of spiked drinks are increasing. Robbers have

            recently targeted walkers in Hong Kong's Country Parks so it is advisable to stay on marked trails and not to carry

            large amounts of cash or credit cards. The typhoon season is usually between April and October, which may cause

            flooding and landslides.

            Customs:  Littering and spitting are illegal in Hong Kong and will incur on the spot fines. In Hong Kong the

            concept of 'face' is very important; avoid causing someone to 'lose face' by publicly insulting them or contradicting

            them in front of others as this is a general 'no no'. The Chinese have great respect for hierarchical relationships.

            Business:  Business in Hong Kong is conducted efficiently and formally and punctuality is important. It is advised

            to allow for sufficient travel time before meetings considering the high traffic congestion. Suits and ties are the

            norm and it is customary to exchange business cards (printed in English on one side and Cantonese on the other)

            at the start of a meeting, along with a handshake. Business cards should be given and received using both hands,

            with the Cantonese side facing the recipient, and should be treated with respect. It is common to greet the more

            senior or elder person first. Business entertainment is usually in the form of a lunch or dinner that is organised by

            the hosting partner. Food is also usually ordered and paid for by the host. It is not unusual to exchange gifts, but

            they are opened at the meeting. Business hours are usually from 9am to 5pm, sometimes later on weekdays and

            some businesses also open between 9am and 1pm on Saturdays.

            Communications:  The international access code for Hong Kong is +852. The outgoing code depends on what

            network is used: 001 for PCCW, 0080 for Hutchinson and 009 for New World. City codes within Hong Kong are not

            required. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most

            international operators. Mobile phones can also be rented on arrival at the international airport. Internet cafes are

            widely available, and access is free at many coffee shops, shopping malls, MRT stations and public libraries in

            town.

            Duty Free: Travellers to Hong Kong over the age of 18 years do not have to pay duty on 1 litre of spirits or

            wine, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. A reasonable amount of items for personal use is also

            permitted. Prohibited items include narcotics, psychotropic drugs, firearms and ammunition; counterfeit items,

            endangered species (alive or stuffed), and copyright infringed products.