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SCMP Reporter

HANDY HINTS AND HELP

Arrivals

The Airport Express is operated by the MTR Corporation. Early check-in facilities are located at Hong Kong and Kowloon stations. An Airport Express Tourist Octopus card is available in two forms. Both are valid for three days, and allow only unlimited travel on the MTR. A card including two single journeys on the Airport Express costs $300; a card including a single journey costs $220. No deposit for tourist Octopus cards as they keep the card after use.

Banking

Normal operating hours are weekdays 9am-4.30pm and Saturdays 9am-12.30pm. Cash machines are located all over Hong Kong. Money exchange counters can be found in all major tourist areas.

Currency

The local currency is the Hong Kong dollar. Tourists may notice that three banks issue notes: Bank of China, HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank. The Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of about $7.80 to US$1.

Customs allowance

Visitors are permitted to bring in a 1-litre bottle of wine or spirits each as well as 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco into Hong Kong duty free.

Electrical current

220/240 volts. The plugs are British, but international converters are easy to find.

Hong Kong International Airport 2181 0000.

Airlines and contact information, arrival and departure details can be found on www.hkairport.com.

Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Information Services

At Hong Kong International Airport, buffer halls and transfer area E2. Assistance is available daily 7am-11pm. Also at the Star Ferry Concourse, Tsim Sha Tsui, open daily 8am-6pm; and The Center, 99 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong, open daily 8am-6pm. Visitor hotline (multilingual): 2508 1234, daily 8am-6pm. For more information, visit to www.discoverhongkong.com.

Language

The official languages are Chinese and English. English is widely spoken by staff at hotels, major restaurants, shops and major tourist destinations. The use of Mandarin, however, is on the increase.

Telephones

Local calls from public telephone boxes cost $1. Stored-value phone cards for $50, $100 or $250 can be purchased from convenience stores.

Tipping

A 10 percent service charge is added to bills in most restaurants. Most taxi drivers round fares up to the nearest dollar. Small tips may be given to bellboys, doormen and washroom attendants.

Visas

Nationals of more than 170 countries can visit visa-free, for varying lengths of time. Visit the immigration website at www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm

Weather

Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate.

From mid-September to December the skies are clear, bright and sunny. The summer humidity drops and temperatures average 18-29 degrees Celsius. Evenings are cooler.

From late December to February, the coldest months of the year, temperatures range between 10-18 degrees Celsius.

From March to early May, it is spring season and temperatures usually sit between 17-23 degrees Celsius.

From mid-May to mid-September, the humidity picks up, rising until it reaches its peak around August. Typhoon season usually kicks in around June.

Temperatures regularly hit over the 30o Celsius mark, and humidity levels reach more than 90 per cent. It also rains a lot, and so makes for a pretty sticky climate.

Typhoons often hit between July and September, which can bring very heavy rainfalls.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

RAIL

Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTR)

This is the most effective way to move around town. The service is efficient, fast and clean. There are five lines: Island, Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Tseung Kwan O and Tung Chung, covering North Hong Kong Island and most of Kowloon. The system is easy to navigate and the different lines are identified by colour. Pick up a map at the airport, or at any MTR station. Single journey tickets can be purchased at stations, but if you expect to travel frequently on the MTR, get an Octopus card from any station. The card acts as an instant cash point. Any amount of cash can be put on the card. A one-day tourist pass is available for $50.

Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCR)

KCR East Rail operates a line between Hung Hom (Tsim Sha Tsui East) and Lo Wu, the boundary with Shenzhen, China. Kowloon Tong is a major point connecting the MTR and East Rail line. The KCR also operates Light Rail Transit (LRT), which covers North West New Territories. KCR also operates services to Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai.

BUS

A number of bus companies operate in Hong Kong. Citybus covers Hong Kong Island and cross-harbour tunnel routes, as well as services to and from the airport.

Enquiries hotline: 2873 0818.

New World First Bus operates services on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Territories, and cross-harbour tunnel routes. Customer service hotline: 2136 8888. Customer Service Centre: Admiralty East Bus Terminus, 95 Queensway, Admiralty, Monday-Saturday 10.30am-2pm and 3pm-7pm.

The Kowloon Motor Bus Co runs routes to Kowloon, New Territories and through the Cross Harbour Tunnel. Customer service hotline: 2745 4466. Customer service centres (daily 11am-2pm and 3pm-8pm): Cross Harbour Tunnel bus interchange, Salisbury Road, Hung Hom; and bus terminus points at: Lam Tin, Mei Foo, Sha Tin, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun Town Centre.

Long Win Bus (part of KMB) operates airport buses from Kowloon and the New Territories. Hotline: 2261 2791

New Lantao Bus Company operates routes on Lantau Island. Hotline: 2984 9848.

FERRY

New World First Ferry operates routes to Lantau Island, Cheung Chau, and Peng Chau. An inter-connecting service links the three islands. The company also runs a service to Kowloon.

Enquiries: 2131 8181.

Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry operates to Lamma Island. Enquiries: 2815 6063.

Discovery Bay Transportation Services operates to Discovery Bay, and between Discovery Bay and Mui Wo (Lantau Island).

Enquiries: 2987 7351.

Cheun Kee Ferry runs a service from Aberdeen to Sok Kwu Wan and Mo Tat (Lamma Island). Enquiries: 2375 7883.

Tsui Wah Ferry Service Company runs a service to Tung Ping Chau. Enquiries: 2527 2513.

TRAMS

Hongkong Tramways operates on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan, and to Happy Valley. Enquiries: 2548 7102.

Peak Tramways operates the funicular tram to Victoria Peak. Enquiries: 2522 0922

TAXI

Urban taxis covering Hong Kong Island and Kowloon are red. Fares begin at $15 for the first 2 kilometres, and for every subsequent 0.2 kilometre, cost $1.40. Green taxis operate in the New Territories, the flag-fall begins at $12.50, rising to $1.20 for every subsequent 2 metres. Blue taxis operate on Lantau Island. Costs as per New Territories fares.

USEFUL NUMBERS

Crime hotline: 2527 7177

Emergency police, fire and ambulance services: 999

IDD and card phone enquiries: 10013

Lost credit cards:

American Express 2811 6122 MasterCard 2511 6387

Visa 2810 8033

Police station: To find the nearest, call 2860 2000

Telephone directory service: 1081

South China Morning Post hotline: 2565 2222



TOURIST INFORMATION