TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit accepted |
| Currency |
(HKD)
Hong Kong Dollar |
| Electrical |
220 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 852 |
Hong
Kong is the major gateway to China and much of East Asia. International
air service is excellent and fares are relatively cheap. Visitors
should reconfirm onward or return tickets well before departure
or seats may be lost. Departure tax is about US$8. In June 1998
Hong Kong opened its new international airport - Chek Lap Kok
- on Lantau Island. There's also an international train link between
Hong Kong and Guangzhou (Canton) and a new six-lane highway. An
express train to Beijing takes about 30 hours. Several transport
companies in Hong Kong offer bus services to Guangzhou, Shenzhen
and several other destinations in Guangdong Province. There are
also boats that take you to destinations in Guangdong and Guangxi
Provinces.
Getting
Around
Hong
Kong is small and crowded, which makes public transport the only
practical way to get around. Public transport is cheap, fast,
widely used and generally efficient. The bus system is extensive
and bewildering but you will need it to explore the south side
of Hong Kong Island and the New Territories. The north side of
Hong Kong Island and most of Kowloon are well-served by Hong Kong's
ultra-modern Mass Transit Railway (MTR). Three tunnels link Hong
Kong with Kowloon.
The
Kowloon-Guangzhou (Canton) Railway (KCR) runs from Kowloon to
the Chinese border at Lo Wu. Light Rail Transit (fast, modern,
air-con trams) run in the New Territories, connecting the city
of Tuen Mun with Yuen Long. Double-decker trams trundle along
the northern side of Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong's ferries are
usually faster and cheaper than buses and trams. They are also
fun, and the harbour views are stunning when the weather cooperates.
Hoverferries are about twice as fast as conventional boats.
