Peak Tram

• Hong Kong is located on China’s south coast and surrounded by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea
• Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with a population of seven million in an area of 1,104 km² (426 sq mi).
• Hong Kong’s population is 95% ethnic Chinese and 5% from other groups.
• Hong Kong’s terrain is hilly and mountainous with steep slopes. There are lowlands in the northern part of Hong Kong.
• Lion Dances are an interesting part of the culture of the region. During a variety of festivals of Hong Kong, the performers wear colorful costumes of large lion that is a mark of good luck. The lion is considered to be of great importance according to the Chinese mythology.

• The official languages of Hong Kong are Cantonese (a dialect of Chinese) and English.
• Hong Kong is the Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, with its own mini-constitution.
• The meaning of the words ‘Hong Kong’ is ‘Fragrant Harbor’.
• The terrain of Hong Kong is pretty hilly and there are outdoor escalators in the Central district of the Island.

HISTORY

• Human activity in Hong Kong dates back over five millennia
• The British East India Company made the first successful sea venture to China in 1699, and Hong Kong’s trade with British merchants developed soon after.
• Hong Kong was surrendered to Britain in 1842 under the Treaty of Nanking.
• In the early 20th centuries, Hong Kong developed as a warehousing and distribution center for U.K. trade with southern China.
• After the end of World War II and the communist conquest of Mainland China in 1949, hundreds of thousands of people fled from China to Hong Kong.
• Hong Kong quickly became an economic success and a manufacturing, commercial, finance, and tourism center.
• In 1997, China continued the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, ending more than 150 years of British colonial rule.

FACTS

• Hong Kong is counted amongst the most densely populated areas of the world.
• Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of China on July 1, 1997.
• While designing a building in Hong Kong, Feng Shui (wind/water beliefs) is taken to be an important consideration.
• In Hong King, people eat long noodles on their birthday, so they might be blessed with a long life.
• A bun festival is organized on Cheung Chau Island, between April and May, every year. It is intended to appease the hungry ghosts roaming around the island.
• In Hong Kong, people are not allowed to have private firework parties.
• Two wedding ceremonies are observed by people who get married in Hong Kong. The first is the official signing of the register and the second comprises of the banquet.
• The new airport of Hong Kong is on Lantau Island. It is linked to the mainland by the Tsing Ma Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.

Giant Buddha

• 3 course meal – Expensive restaurant 500 HKD, Moderate 250-500 HKD, Cheap 250 HKD or less
• 10% tip or service charge is already added to the bill
• The Hong Kong Ocean Park ADMISSION FEE is 250 HKD one day adult and 125 HKD for children 3-11 years old.
• Hong Kong Disney land ticket price,  Adult – 295 HKD  Child – 210 HKD  Seniors – 170 HKD
• Hong Kong Wetland Park – 30 HKD entrance fee
• Hong Kong Museum Pass – 30 HKD – Allows you interest to any of 6 museums – Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defense, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Science Museum, and Hong Kong Space Museum
• Backpackers with a less tight budget should expect to spend at least 150 HKD for a bed and 500 HKD for a room.
• Family travelers should expect to pay at least 1000 HKD for accommodation per night.
• The cheapest food available will cost you around 30-40 HKD for a meal, although in mid-range restaurants, 150-200 HKD per head is common.
• In hotels, a guest is also expected to tip at least 10-20 HKD for room service, and porters also expect 10-20 HKD for carrying your bags.
• To stuff your stomach in a grassroots Chaa Chan Teng (local tea restaurant), expect to pay 10-20 HKD for milk, tea or coffee, 8-10 for a toast and 25-50 HKD for a dish of rice with meats. Wonton noodles generally cost 20-30 HKD.
• Other basic restaurants can usually be found in wet markets or outdoor locations, and cost about 100-150 HKD/person.

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Ship

• With an effective police and legal system, Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world.
• Needless to say, low crime does not mean no crime.
• One should be cautious in crowded areas where pickpockets are likely to strike, particularly at the main tourist attractions.
• Call 999 when you urgently need help from the Police, Fire and Ambulance services.
• For non-emergency police assistance, call 2527-7177.

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Temple of 10000 Buddhas

• Hong Kong has four distinct seasons.
• In the winter, Hong Kong is chilly around 10°C. Expect winter temperatures to rise to 22°C on sunny days and fall to under 10°C at night, especially when in mountainous areas.
• In the summer, it is hot and humid, with temperatures around 33°C.
• The best times to visit Hong Kong are during the Spring and Autumn.
• Spring is from March to May, with the average temperature being around 25°C.
• Autumn runs from September to December.
• Christmas in Hong Kong can be a delight with a fair chance of mild sunny weather that will appeal to those coming from colder northern climates.
• Typhoons usually occur between June and September and can bring a halt to local business activities for a day or less.
• The Chinese New Year is notorious for cold wet weather.
• Although almost all buildings in Hong Kong have air-conditioning to deal with the summer heat, winter heating is something of a novelty. During the coldest days, the lack of heating and thermal insulation can be a challenge. Strangely, buses and many restaurants will continue to use air-conditioning to freshen the air, even on the coldest days.

Tsing Ma Bridge

The Peak

• One of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong
• Looking down from The Peak you’ll be amazed by the spectacular view of the surrounding city skyline, the world-famous Victoria Harbour and Kowloon, towering skyscrapers and peaceful green hillsides.
• Getting there is an unforgettable trip. There’s nothing in the world like the Peak Tram.
• Pulled by steel cables, the tram climbs 373 metres (about 1,200 feet).
• It’s so steep that the buildings you pass look like they’re leaning

View Map

Victoria Harbour

• View the spectacular harbour and catch the magnificent Symphony of Lights, featuring more than 40 Hong Kong’s skyscrapers in a stunning multimedia extravaganza
• There is no better way to capture the magic of the harbour than by taking a nighttime cruise aboard a ferry

View Map

Giant Buddha

• The Giant Buddha which sits serenely atop Ngong Ping plateau amid the spectacular mountain scenery of Lantau Island
• The majestic figure of the seated Buddha was cast in China and took 12 years to complete
• It was unveiled in December 1993 amid deeply religious ceremonies
• Visitors can climb more than 200 steps to reach the platform where the Buddha is seated

View Map

Communication Etiquette:
• Handshake is very common when greeting people from the West
– Their handshake is a light one
– Lowering of the eyes is considered a sign of respect
• Address people by their surname and their title
• It is common for a gift to be refused once or twice before it is accepted
– Do not wrap in white, blue or black paper
– No green hats for children
– Never a quantity of four
– Gifts are not opened when received
– Always present them with two hands

Business Etiquette:
• Require long term relationships with people in order to do business
– Many businesses are family owned
• They may ask very personal questions
• They aren’t very confrontational
• Silence is a form of communication
• Appointments are necessary
– 1 to 2 months in advance
– Arrive on time
• Expect small talk to help build the relationship
• Business is often more price driven then it is quality driven
• Avoid losing your temper – this will damage the relationship
• Business cards are exchanged upon initial greetings
– Translate one side into Chinese with the figures in gold
– Maintain them in excellent condition