Money Tips

When considering what kind of payment to use in Hong Kong, remember that plastic and credit cards may be helpful almost everywhere except for transport and some smaller shops. Visa, MasterCard, American Express (AmEx), Diners Club and JCB are among the most accepted credit cards. It is useful to have some cash with you anyways. Money exchange is relatively easy, and you can do it in a number of places:
• Airport or hotel counters are not recommended for changing your, since they have the words exchange rates.
• Licensed moneychangers such as Chequepoint are abundant in tourist areas and offer convenient conditions such as late open hours on Sundays and holidays as well as no commission per se. Nevertheless, their exchange rates are equivalent to a 5% commission.
• Good rates are usually offered by the half-dozen moneychangers operating on the ground floor of Chungking Mansions.
• The best rates are offered by banks, the biggest of which are HSBC, Standard Chartered and the Hang Seng Bank. Travellers cheques can also be exchanged.

There is no currency black market in Hong Kong. That’s why if somebody in the street offers to change your money, consider it to be a fraud. One more problem that exists in Hong Kong is counterfeit notes. Therefore, it is necessary to be attentive and to check large denomination notes given as a change to you.

Leisure Activities and Holidays

The most popular outdoor leisure activities are cycling, hiking and swimming. New Territories have plenty of bike paths, which can get crowded on weekends. It is possible to rent a bike if necessary. Such places as Country Parks, Lantau Island and the MacLehose Trail in the New Territories are perfect hiking destinations, where one can have a rest from crowded city centre. There are plenty of good beaches, the best of which are situated on the Outlying Islands. Swimming is allowed at patrolled beaches.

In Hong Kong they use a combination of Western calendar and Chinese lunar calendar to determine dates. That is why it might be at times difficult to figure out the exact day of a certain holidays. The major holidays are:
• Chinese New Year (late January – early February). It is usual to have 3-4 days off as a part of celebration. Besides, there is a spectacular firework display held over Victoria Harbour.
• The Tin Hou Festival (late April – early May). It is a Taoist festival, at which chunks are decorated and sail in long rows to Tin Hau temples to pray for clear skies and good fishing.
• The Dragon Boat Festival (June). Dragon boat races take place in Hong Kong and Outlying Islands on this holiday.
• Lantern Festival (September or October). In homes, restaurants and temples lanterns are lit.
• The Festival of Asian Arts (October or November). This festival is a major international event in Hong Kong.

Useful Information

- Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HK$)
- Time Zone: GMT/UTC +8 (Hong Kong Standard Time)
- Country Dialing Code: +86
- Weight and Measures: metric