How to prepare your first trip to #HongKong

A big city of 8 million people, Hong Kong is busy, modern, and multicultural. Around 60 million people visit Hong Kong every year and its airport is one of the biggest in the world, writes Daniel Moore.

Here you can expect world-class cuisine, head-spinning shopping, and a rich festival culture. Many foreigners come to Hong Kong for business reasons but decide to stay a few extra days to explore this unique city. Whether you book for 2 days or 2 weeks, there is always something to do in Hong Kong.

Arriving prepared is paramount for international travel so that you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience abroad. Foreign visitors will find below essential information and tips for planning an enjoyable trip to Hong Kong.

The best time to visit Hong Kong

With a warm subtropical climate, temperatures in Hong Kong are pleasant all year round. For this reason, it’s hard to find a proper peak season for the city, which enjoys a near-continuous influx of tourists.

However, the wet season (from June to August) makes summer a somewhat uncomfortable time to travel due to the high humidity.

Deciding when to go to Hong Kong, however, shouldn’t only depend on the weather. It’s worth checking out the many festivals and cultural events taking place in the city throughout the year to find the time that will best spark your interest.

Visa for Hong Kong: It’s not always needed

Of course, you will want to depart with your papers in order. Fortunately, Hong Kong has one of the most tourism-friendly visa policies in the world. Regulations are kept completely separate and independent from those of mainland China.

Visitors from 170 countries can enter Hong Kong visa-free for a limited amount of time — between 7 to 180 days, depending on the specific agreements between their government and the Hong Kong authorities. Others, like India, don’t need a visa but must fill out a Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) before traveling. Click here to find out more.

Is English spoken in Hong Kong?

If exploring a foreign country is an exciting opportunity, it gets even better when you can communicate with locals to get advice and directions or make new friends.

English is an official language in Hong Kong so you can expect signs to be both in Cantonese (spoken by 96% of the population) and English. Menus and posters are also likely to be translated. It shouldn’t come as a surprise: after all, Hong Kong is a multicultural metropolis with a past as a British colony.

Hong Kongers are among the best English speakers in Asia, together with Singaporeans. Those employed in a customer-facing position like hotel staff and shop assistants are likely to be fully proficient. Visitors report that many taxi drivers don’t share the same English speaking skills, but will radio a colleague that can help if the need arises.

Although you’ll have no problem communicating, a little effort goes a long way. Try to memorize a few key phrases before leaving, like ‘hello’ or ‘thank you’.

Is it safe to travel in Hong Kong?

In 2019, Hong Kong has repeatedly been in the news because of the protests that have sparked in June and continued for months. However, local authorities assure that Hong Kong is open for business.

This is how tourists have been affected by the protests:

• Transport. Getting around Hong Kong is extremely easy. Thanks to the Airport Express train, it’s possible for visitors who have just landed to reach the city center in under 30 minutes. Uber is also available. Disruptions to public transport are usually extremely rare. However, some metro stations and lines have been closed in the past due to the protests and some buses have been vandalized.
• Police checks. Foreigners should note that it’s legal in Hong Kong for police officers to stop people in the street and ask for identification. Remain calm and remember to always bring your ID and visa (if applicable) with you.
• Quiet attractions. Because tourism has recently slowed down in the area (especially from mainland China), some of the most popular landmarks and attractions are now much quieter than usual.

Although tourists may find the occasional transport disruption inconvenient, the city remains overall ‘safe and open’, to quote the local government. Major tourist sites such as the Zoo, Botanical Gardens, theme parks, and monasteries continue to keep their doors open to the public.

In fact, the reduced number of visitors makes accommodation cheaper than usual, as it would happen during the normal low season.

Daniel Moore is an experienced content writer. He is associated with many renowned travel blogs as a guest author where he shares his valuable travel tips and experience with the audience.

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