Hong Kong perches on the edge of mainland China occupying an

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', no longer a subject of British 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

            Hong Kong from Kowloon © Hong Kong Tourist Board

            perfect gateway for travellers to Southeast Asia and China,

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

            Hong Kong consists of four sections: Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands.

            Kowloon and the New Territories form part of the Chinese mainland to the north of Victoria Harbour. Hong Kong

            Island, containing the central business hub, lies on the southern side of the harbour facing Kowloon. The Outlying

            Islands comprise a composite of 234 islands.

 Basics

 

            Time: Local time is GMT +8.

            Electricity:  Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. The UK- style 3 - pin plugs are standard.

            Money:  The unit of currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD); HK$1 is divided into 100 cents. Major banks are open

            from 9am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12:30pm on Saturday. Banks and moneychangers charge

            commission as do hotels that provide exchange services. All major credit cards are accepted and ATMs are widely

            distributed. Some HSBC 'Electronic Money' machines provide 24 - hour cash withdrawal facilities for Visa and

            MasterCard holders.