China Cultural Majesty

Dubbed the ‘City of Life’, Hong Kong, set on South China’s eastern Pearl River Delta, is a true gem of Asia. This destination is a fusion of ancient and modern, natural beauty and urban bustle, mysticism, and cosmopolitan flair. While this pulsing urban metropolis may bring to mind a slew of glittering skyscrapers, there is certainly no shortage of natural wonders. In fact, mountains and sprawling country parks encompass over 70 percent of Hong Kong. See the highest number of skyscrapers in the world from the famous Star Ferry, the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, or by heading up Victoria Peak. Explore spectacular sacred temples, go on a food tour, or party the night away. Enjoy the flurry of fascinating museums, shopping at the many chic side-street boutiques, antique stores, and cheerful gadget bazaars.

Currency

The currency of Hong Kong 1 Renminbi Yuan (CNY; symbol ¥) = 10 jiao/mao or 100 fen. Notes are in denominations of ¥100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1, 5 jiao and 1 jiao. Coins are in denominations of ¥1, 5 jiao and 1 jiao. Counterfeit ¥50 and ¥100 notes are commonplace. The Yuan is often referred to as the ‘guai’ in street slang.

Banking

Banking Hours: Monday-Friday 09h00-16h00/17h00. Some banks close for lunch from 12h00-13h00. Select branches in major cities offer extended hours in the evenings and on weekends.

American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted in major provincial cities in designated establishments. Credit cards are often unlikely to be accepted away from the major cities

ATMs can generally be found in airports, hotels, shopping centres and banks, as well as in many major cities and towns.

Travellers Cheques To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Hong Kong has only one commercial airport, there are no domestic flights in Hong Kong

There are double-decker Hong Kong Tramways trams on Hong Kong Island, running from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan (with the red and blue lines heading inland to Happy Valley Racecourse). Get on at the back and pay the fare upon disembarking; the Octopus Card, which stores credit for pay-as-you-go travel, can be used on trams.

A wide selection of self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available. Car hire isn’t very popular however, since congested roads mean that it’s generally easier to use public transport on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon. Some of the outlying islands are completely car-free.

Taxis are plentiful in Hong Kong and Kowloon and are reasonably priced, although note that there is an extra charge for the Cross Harbour Tunnel. Red taxis serve most of Hong Kong (except for Tung Chung Road and the south side of Lantau Island); green ones serve the New Territories; and blue ones serve Lantau Island.

Hong Kong Island is not particularly cycle-friendly, since roads tend to be busy, steep, or both. Traffic is also heavy in Kowloon, but there are plenty of good cycling options in the New Territories and on the outlying islands.

The bus network is extensive, covering the New Territories and outlying islands, as well as Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Helpfully, the destinations are marked in English and may be accompanied by an X (express), R (Sundays and public holidays only) or M (links up with a station on the MTR metro network). Note that no change is given on buses.

Visitors to Hong Kong will find authentic food from all the regions of China, including Cantonese, Northern (Peking), Chiu Chow (Swatow), Shanghai, Szechuan and Hakka. What’s more, there’s the chance to sample them in all kinds of surroundings: on a sampan in Causeway Bay or a floating restaurant at Aberdeen; in a Kowloon back-street restaurant or street market; or in the dining room of a luxury hotel. Don’t miss the chance to try one (or more) of Hong Kong’s private kitchens, which started out as unlicensed venues inside private homes but have developed into a scene of their own. Some of them are really quite upmarket and the best offer serious treats for gourmand visitors; many also have the added thrill of being in odd or unexpected locations.

All water used for drinking, brushing teeth or freezing should first be boiled or otherwise sterilised. Bottled water, widely and cheaply available, is the most advisable way of getting around this. Be especially careful when eating at small street-side stalls or restaurants where standards of hygiene may not be high. Pork, salad, scallops, snails and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Tipping is not expected.

Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with four seasons, and weather strongly influenced by two monsoons: the north-northeast monsoon from October to March and the south-southwest monsoon from April to September.

Lightweight clothing and a light raincoat are recommended during the warmer months, while warmer clothes are useful in winter. It should be noted that even during the hottest weather, a jacket or pullover will be required for the sometimes fierce air conditioning indoors.

Electrical sockets in Hong Kong are Type G (BS-1363). If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of this sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all types.

Electrical sockets in Hong Kong usually supply electricity at 220-240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 220-240 volts, a voltage converter will be necessary.

China is a remarkable five-year-old civilization that offers a vibrant and intriguing combination of the ancient and modern. From the exceptionally remote deserts of the wild northwest to the ultra-modern city of Hong Kong in the south, the diversity of this vast country's archaeology, architecture, cuisine, and cultural heritage is astounding. From ancient historical sites and antique relics to grand imperial palaces, exquisite water towns and enchanting natural wonders, there's something for every type of traveller. The Forbidden City, The Great Wall, the Terracotta Army, and Chengdu's panda sanctuaries are among the most visited attractions. Although there is so much to explore, try to avoid a jam-packed itinerary as one of the great joys of touring China lies in aimlessly wandering through the backstreets and exploring the immaculate public parks, traditional teahouses or tranquil hidden temples. Whether you prefer a slow boat down the Yangtze or taking in the extraordinary architecture, shopping and nightlife of Shanghai, exploring China provides countless opportunities for adventure.

Currency 

Local currency: Chinese Yuan Renminbi 
Symbol: ¥ 
ISO code: CNY 
Subunit: Fen (分) 
Banknotes: ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥20, ¥50, ¥100 
Coins: ¥1, ¥0.5, ¥0.1 

Banking 

Card Transactions: Yes 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Limited acceptance 
Diner’s club: Limited acceptance 

Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 
Weekends: Some banks open on Saturdays for limited hours 
Public Holidays: Yes (varies by region) 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air: 
Main airlines: Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines 
International Airports: Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport 
Domestic Airports: Numerous 

Road: 

Driving on the: Right 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: Rare 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Yes 

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 
Railway system: Yes 
Subway System: Yes 

Water: 
Ferries: Yes 
Water taxis: Limited availability in coastal cities 
Leisure cruises: Limited 

Food and water safety: 
Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: Generally safe in reputable establishments 
Meat: Yes, if properly cooked 
Street food: Yes, but choose vendors wisely 

Local cuisine: Chinese cuisine boasts a rich diversity of flavors, influenced by various regions such as Cantonese, Sichuan, Hunan, and more. Notable dishes include Peking Duck, Kung Pao Chicken, Dim Sum, and Hot Pot. 

Drinks: Green tea, Baijiu (Chinese liquor), Herbal teas, Tsingtao beer 

Tipping: Not expected, but rounding up the bill is appreciated 

Annual rainfall: Varies by region: 100 mm to over 1,500 mm
Average temperature: Varies by region

Summer: 
Average highs: 25-35°C 
Average lows: 20-25°C 

Winter: 
Average highs: 5-15°C 
Average lows: -5-5°C 

Best time to visit: Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds, making them ideal for exploring China's attractions. 

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: Yes 

Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: Yes 

General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Plug Type: Type A, Type I, Type C 
Voltage (V): 220 
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50 

*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances.