Hong Kong, abbreviation: HK, is a metropolis and Special
Administrative Region (SAR) on the south coast of the People's
Republic of China in the Pearl River estuary. With more than seven
million inhabitants on 1106 square kilometers and an important
economic and financial sector, Hong Kong is one of the world cities.
95 percent of Hong Kong's residents are of Chinese descent with a
predominantly Cantonese mother tongue.
Hong Kong was occupied
by the United Kingdom during the First Opium War in 1841 and
declared a British Crown Colony by the Treaty of Nanking in 1843.
For many Chinese, the British colony was a place of refuge from the
Chinese civil war from 1927 to 1949. In 1997, sovereignty was handed
over to the People's Republic of China. Since then, Hong Kong has
been a Chinese special administrative region, maintaining a free
market economy and promised internal autonomy. This One Country, Two
Systems principle was codified in the Hong Kong Joint Declaration.
However, China is now being accused of increasingly breaking this
promise and restricting the freedom of the Hong Kong people, which
has repeatedly led to large-scale demonstrations, such as in 2014
and 2019/2020.
The most densely populated areas are the
Kowloon Peninsula and northern Hong Kong Island, separated by the
narrow Victoria Harbor strait. The New Territories include the
original hinterland north of Kowloon, which makes up most of Hong
Kong's territory, and most of Hong Kong's 263 islands. Hong Kong's
largest island is Lantau Island, which is also close to Hong Kong
International Airport on Chek Lap Kok Island.
Hong Kong's
population growth and limited constructible area led to large-scale
land reclamation through sea filling and the emergence of a skyline
of skyscrapers. After the establishment of several planned cities in
the second half of the 20th century, half of Hong Kong's population
lives in the New Territories.
Hong Kong is considered one of
the cities with the highest cost of living in the world. According
to a Copenhagen advisory service (The Economist Intelligence Unit),
Hong Kong is tied with Melbourne as the eighth safest city in the
world (as of 2021).
Hong Kong is located on the Pearl River Delta. Hong Kong's 1,090 km²
area is divided into four areas: Hong Kong Island (79 km²), Kowloon (12
km²), New Territories (740 km²) and the Outer Islands (248 km²). The
city is defined by the mountains at the foot of which it extends. The
highest point is TaiMoShan (957 m) in the New Territories, Hong Kong
Island's highest point is 'The Peak' (552 m).
Almost eight
million people live in Hong Kong, mainly in Kowloon and north Hong Kong
Island. The New Territories and the other islands are often sparsely
populated and sometimes even not populated at all. 98 percent of Hong
Kong's population is Chinese and only about 1 percent of residents are
white. The main religions are Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.
Christians make up almost 10 percent of the population in Hong Kong,
with Anglicans and Catholics predominating. Islam is also represented,
with a large mosque on Nathan Road at the level of Kowloon Park.
Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with humid and hot summers and dry
and mild winters. The temperatures in January are 15 to 20 degrees and
rise to an average of almost 30 degrees in the summer months. The high
humidity may be particularly unusual, especially in the months of April
to August. Values of 97% are not uncommon. From April to September, the
monsoon brings large amounts of precipitation, mainly in the form of
sudden downpours. Summer (July-September) is typhoon season, and during
these hurricane-force storms there are sometimes curfews that should be
adhered to. Hong Kong can be visited all year round, but the months of
June to August can be quite strenuous in terms of climate. However,
there is also plenty of shade and a fresh breeze.
Archaeological finds show that the area of present-day Hong Kong has
been inhabited for 6,000 years. For a long time, however, there were
only small settlements of fishermen on the site of today's metropolis,
the most important city in the region was Canton (Guangzhou). Only with
the arrival of the Europeans did Hong Kong become increasingly
important. In the mid-16th century, the Portuguese were allowed to set
up a base in Macau after repeatedly supporting Chinese merchant ships
fighting pirates. However, apart from a few exceptions, foreigners were
still prohibited from entering the Middle Kingdom.
When trade
with the Portuguese also proved advantageous for China, the city of
Canton was opened to free trade with European traders from 1685. The
British East India Company was the first trading company to set up in
Canton. The Chinese traded in silk and tea, while the English offered
wool, tin and lead. With the quantity of English goods not sufficient to
buy the quantities of tea they wanted, the English began importing opium
from India into China in the mid-19th century. The effects of this
policy were dramatic for China: Suddenly more and more money began to
flow out of China in trade with England, the number of opium-addicted
Chinese increased immensely and corruption was the order of the day in
the trading establishments. As a countermeasure, all European trading
houses were closed in 1839 and the opium was confiscated. England then
sent an expeditionary army and it came to the First Opium War (1840-42).
On January 26, 1841, Captain Charles Elliott officially took possession
of the island of Hong Kong for the Crown. When the First Opium War ended
with the Treaty of NanJing in 1842, Hong Kong remained in British hands
and five Chinese ports were opened to free trade. Disputes over the
negotiated peace treaty led to the outbreak of the Second Opium War
(1856–58), from which the English also emerged victorious. The Kowloon
Peninsula was added to the Hong Kong Colony.
At the end of the
19th century, the British took advantage of political instability in
China and concluded a 99-year lease in June 1898 for the New Territories
and the islands around Hong Kong. The sum of 5000 HKD was negotiated as
a lease. In the period that followed, relations between Chinese and
English traders, who were mutually dependent, relaxed. The colony's
population grew steadily and Hong Kong also developed splendidly
economically.
During the Second World War, Japan occupied
southern China from 1938 and Hong Kong became the destination of around
half a million war refugees. On December 8, 1941, one day after the
attack on Pearl Harbour, the Japanese stormed Hong Kong. After 18 days,
the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Young, capitulated and the nearly
four-year occupation of Hong Kong began. Today, an exhibition in the
Museum of History commemorates the occupation, as a result of which the
population was decimated by deportation and the harsh living conditions
in the city.
After Japan's surrender in August 1945, the colony
reverted to Great Britain. The population quickly grew again, not least
because of the civil war in China (1945-1949). An American trade embargo
against China and Korea (1950–53) slowed Hong Kong's development as a
trading metropolis and led to the industrialization of the colony. In
the 1970s, the strong industrial sectors of textiles and watches were
supplemented by an expansion of the service sectors of banking and
insurance, and Hong Kong's development into an international financial
metropolis in Far East Asia was established. Industry increasingly
migrated to neighboring Chinese areas (e.g. ShenZen) and tourism became
the second major economic pillar alongside the financial services
sector.
In 1984, Margaret Thatcher's British government
negotiated the Sino-British Joint Declaration, in which Britain and
China negotiated the return of Hong Kong. Although Hong Kong Island and
Kowloon were not part of the lease agreement, the various areas of Hong
Kong had long since grown together to such an extent that a separate
handover of the New Territories was out of the question. Important
points such as Hong Kong's 50-year status as a Special Administrative
Region (SAR), the accompanying maintenance of the economic and legal
system and the guarantee of fundamental rights such as freedom of the
press, travel and occupation were laid down in the Joint Declaration.
Hong Kong was handed back to China in a grand ceremony on July 1, 1997,
but little has changed in many areas of everyday life since then.
However, freedom of the press is being restricted and the free elections
scheduled for 2007 have been banned.
Kowloon
Kowloon was once the most densely populated place on earth
and is still the most densely populated part of Hong Kong today. The
fact that Kowloon does not (yet) have such an impressive skyline as the
side across from the harbor is due to the fact that until a few years
ago the airport was in the middle of Kowloon at the harbor and made it
impossible to build high-rise buildings. Kowloon is best known for its
street markets and small shops selling everything from cheap tailored
suits to expensive Rolexes.
Mong Kok – Mong Kok is located north of
Tsim Sha Tsui around the MTR station of the same name. The area is known
for its markets and, for Hong Kong's Chinese residents, for its
nightlife, which is slightly cheaper than across the harbor.
Tsim Sha
Tsui - The tip of the Kowloon Peninsula offers fantastic views across
the harbor to the skyline. Tsim Sha Tsui is best known for tourist
shopping, tailored suits and fake Rolex watches.
Hong Kong
Iceland
The island was the nucleus of the former British colony that
grew around the city of Victoria. The skyline of the districts facing
Victoria Harbor is considered one of the most beautiful in the world and
it continues to grow. The tallest building is currently the IFC2 Tower
with 86 floors in the Central district. On the south side of Hong Kong
Island are a few beaches and scattered satellite cities like Stanley and
Aberdeen. Hong Kong Island is surmounted by a number of mountains, of
which Victoria Peak - today mostly just called The Peak - towers over
the skyline and offers a fantastic view over Victoria Harbour.
New Territories
These are the mainland areas that, along with Kowloon
and the surrounding islands, were added to the British colony towards
the end of the 19th century. These areas provide an amazing contrast to
the hectic city of Hong Kong and in some parts appear very rural.
Important places are Sha Tin and Tai Po.
Outlying Islands
That's the name of all the large and small islands scattered around the
Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island. By far the largest island is
Lantau, which has the airport and is connected to the metro system. The
island is rich in destinations such as the newly opened Disneyland theme
park and the world's largest free-standing Buddha statue. The car-free
island of Lamma is in close proximity to Hong Kong Island and is popular
for its good seafood and pretty little beaches, but the island is also
home to a large, unsightly coal-fired power station.
EU citizens of the Schengen countries and Swiss citizens can visit
Hong Kong without a visa for up to three months (90 days). For a longer
stay, you either have to apply for a work visa or you have to leave Hong
Kong temporarily (a day trip is enough), for example to Macau or
Shenzhen. On arrival, an entry form (Arrival Card) will be issued on the
plane or boat, which you should definitely keep safe, as you also have
to present the form when you leave the country. Recently, an entry stamp
is no longer placed in the passport, but the traveler receives a small
computer printout with the same information that was previously found on
the stamp. This note should also be kept safe, but it will not be
retained when you leave the country. If this entry slip is lost, a
replacement can be obtained from Immigration Headquarters (7 Gloucester
Road, Wan Chai). Holders of a German passport that is still valid for at
least 6 months can register for the electronic border control free of
charge after immigration control at the airport (duration approx. 5
minutes, a signature must be provided, a photo and the fingerprints of
both index fingers are also required recorded). For future visits within
the validity period of the passport, the automated border control
machines ("E-Gates") can then be used for both entry and exit, which can
save a considerable amount of time depending on the time of day. In
addition, it will no longer be necessary to fill out an arrival form
("Landing Card") for future entries.
Basic customs controls do
not take place, but are always possible. Duty free: 19 cigarettes or 1
cigar (25g); 1 liter of wine. Other goods in reasonable quantities.
Firearms must be declared and taken into custody upon entry. Foreign
exchange and HKD can be imported and exported indefinitely.
Practically all major airlines (e.g. Swiss, Lufthansa, Air France,
British Airways, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Gulf Air, Singapore Airlines,
China Airlines) fly to Hong Kong from Switzerland or Germany. There are
direct flights from Frankfurt am Main, Zurich and Munich and take around
12 hours. The prices for a return ticket range from 500 to 1000 euros.
The tickets are most expensive in the summer holidays and around
Christmas/New Year's Eve.
Chek Lap Kok Airport is located in Hong
Kong outside of the city on Lan Tau Island. This is connected to the
city by a large bridge. If you don't have accommodation yet, we
recommend the reservation desk for hotels in the entrance hall, which
often offers rooms at very good conditions. There are several ways to
get from the airport to the city. It is probably advisable to buy an
Octopus card directly at the airport (see mobility). The Airport Express
(AE, 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.) is certainly the fastest option. For 100
HKD (110 HKD) you can be in Kowloon (Hong Kong station) in 20 minutes
(24 minutes). For Octopus cardholders, an MTR journey following the
Airport Express journey is free of charge, but there must still be
sufficient credit (including the credit limit granted) on the card (this
is especially important for a journey to Hong Kong train station, which
is the basic balance of the Octopus Card already overdrawn). A taxi ride
costs approximately 300 HKD to Kowloon and 350 HKD to Hong Kong Island.
The different colors of the taxis represent the areas they serve. Red
cabs serve the city (green cabs to the New Territories and blue cabs to
Lan Tau). There are also various buses to and from the airport. These
are identified by a preceding "A".
There are bus and train connections to Hong Kong from Guangzhou and
other places in China. However, at the border you have to get out with
your luggage and go through the controls on foot. On the other side you
get back in and drive on.
Bullet train connecting
Guanghzhou-South connects West Kowloon Terminal in Hong Kong. It stops
at six intermediate stations, including in Shenzhen at the local North
Station (22° 36′ 37″ N 114° 1′ 49″ E) (深圳北站). The border control for
entering the People's Republic takes place in Kowloon. Prices (2018)
Shenzhen HK$86, Guangzhou HK$247 and Beijing HK$1237.
In the
street
From Lantau you can drive to Macau and Zhuhai on the 6-lane,
longest "bridge" in the world, of which 6.7 kilometers are built as a
tunnel. However, there is right-hand traffic on it, and vehicles
registered in Hong Kong require a special license plate. Buses run 24
hours a day.
There is a ferry connection with Macau. Depending on how much you
want to pay and how much time you have, there are different offers. Also
by helicopter.
There are two ferry terminals from Hong Kong to
Macau, one in Central and one in Kowloon. The ferries run 24 hours a day
and every 15 to 20 minutes. The journey time is approximately one hour.
The check-in is very efficient. Normally you buy a ticket at the
terminal, immediately go through passport control and board the next
ship. Waiting times can only occur on weekends. There are booking
options for hotels in Macau at the terminals.
The Kai Tak Cruise
Terminal for cruise ships was built on the site of the old airport. It
is approximately 10 km from the Star Ferry Pier.
Octopus Card and Tourist Day Pass
It doesn't matter whether you
travel by bus, MTR (subway), Airport Express, tram or ship, you can pay
with the Octopus card everywhere. This card is sold, among other things,
at the airport (at counters between customs control and the exit as well
as at machines next to the entrances to the Airport Express) for 200
HKD. 150 HKD credit and 50 HKD deposit. The card can be topped up e.g.
At each MTR station, at ATMs that accept HKD 50 and HKD 100 bills and at
service counters. You can also have money booked in many of the local
chain cafés and mini markets, which is particularly useful if you don’t
have the right banknotes available. The maximum balance is 1000 HKD.
The advantage of the card is that a certain amount can always be
automatically debited at a station when entering or exiting a vehicle
and you don't have to worry about tickets or small change. In addition,
there is a 10% discount on every second MTR journey made on the same
day, and senior Octopus cardholders (aged 65 and over) receive
additional perks such as reduced fares and free journeys on the MTR Star
Ferry. In the meantime, you can sometimes also pay with the Octopus card
outside of public transport, e.g. B. at the 7-Eleven markets, all coffee
house chains or in some McDonalds restaurants.
If the balance on
the Octopus card is no longer sufficient when paying (usually at the
platform barriers at the destination station) to pay for the journey in
full, the card will automatically be overdrawn up to the amount of the
deposit paid (50 HKD). With an overdrawn Octopus card, however, it is no
longer possible to pass the platform barriers when entering a station,
the card then has to be recharged first.
Unused credit will be
refunded upon return. If the card is returned within 3 months of
issuance, a fee of HK$9 will be retained. Those who take the Airport
Express to the airport can return the card at the service counter
directly on the train's Terminal 1 platform.
An alternative is
the "Tourist Day Pass", which can be bought at the MTR stations at the
counter. It is a 24-hour card, valid from first use. For HK$65, the
ticket allows unlimited travel on MTR lines. Excludes travel on the
Airport Express and to Lo Wu / Lok Ma Chau (Mainland China border)
stations. Also buses are not included.
By train
The regional
trains of the KCR were an addition to the MTR and have also belonged to
the MTR Cooperation since 2007. It can also be paid with the Octopus
card. They drive on several lines to the border near Shenzhen. With
their regular departures, low prices and mostly underground routes, they
are more reminiscent of an underground railway.
Trains run from
the main station HungHom to Chinese metropolises such as Guangzhou,
Beijing or Shanghai, the new high-speed train station "Kowloon West"
connects Shenzhen and Guangzhou via high-speed rail.
MTR
Hong
Kong has one of the most modern mass transit systems in the world. Hong
Kong's underground has five different routes, with the MTR operating
from 6am to 1am. At peak times, the trains run every 2 minutes,
otherwise every 4 minutes. Fares start from 4 HKD. Crossing the harbor
basin generally costs 9 HKD.
If you don't want to travel with an
Octopus Card, you can buy single tickets from machines. The MTR network
is shown on the machine and you only touch the station you want to go
to. The fare is then paid in cash and the card is removed; the machines
give change. In contrast to the Octopus Card, which opens the barriers
to the MTR with “touch and go”, the single-ride card has to be inserted
manually into a slot and removed again after crossing the barrier. If
you leave the MTR, the single-ride ticket will be retained by the
reader.
The MTR stations are basically built on two floors and
have a very good traffic management. From the surface, you first go to a
mezzanine floor, where there are a number of small shops in addition to
service counters. The barriers are on the mezzanine level and behind the
barriers is the underground level where the tracks are located.
Pedestrian flows are directed in such a way that arriving and departing
passengers only meet on the platform directly at the MTR doors.
The announcements in the MTR are basically trilingual (Mandarin,
Cantonese and English), labels are always bilingual (Chinese, English).
An animated display of the route shows line, direction of travel, next
station and exit side.
Eating and drinking is not permitted in
the MTR, and there is also a strict smoking ban. There are no toilets in
the MTR stations. The metro is very clean, there is no pushing and old
people are given a seat when they enter.
Airport Express
When
the airport was relocated from the city center around 46 kilometers out
of the city, a new connection was also needed. The Airport Express is
much faster than the MTR, taking 23 minutes to travel between the
airport and Central Station. The route passes through Tsing Yi and
Kowloon Station. A one-time trip costs 110 HKD for the route Central
Station - Airport (100 HKD from Kowloon Station, 65 HKD from Tsing Yi
Station, as of June 2019), but only if you pay with the Octopus card.
Single tickets are generally 5 HKD more expensive. The preceding or
subsequent MTR ride is free of charge. There is also an option to
purchase a round-trip ticket (Central Station: HKD 205, Kowloon Station
HKD 185, Tsing Yi HKD 120). The AirportExpress runs between 5:50 a.m.
and 1:15 a.m.
If you have a ticket for the Airport Express, you
can use the free in-town check-in. All major airlines have check-in
counters at both Central and Kowloon Station where luggage can be
checked in hours before departure. This is particularly useful if you
have to leave the hotel early but the plane doesn't leave until later,
or if you want to stroll around Hong Kong. Check-in counters are open
from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
It should be noted, however, that if
you arrive at the Airport Express with one of the MTR lines that run via
Hong Kong Island to the Central station, there is a considerable
distance between the MTR station and the in-town check-in or the Airport
Express train station must travel underground, passing under the
International Finance Centre. This route, which is entirely within the
ticketed area, can be very busy, especially at peak times, which is why
you may not be able to use any of the existing moving walkways, but have
to carry your luggage over the entire distance.
The Airport
Express also offers a connection to the AsiaWorld-Expo site.
MTR
Light Rail
The Light Rail is a tram system in Hong Kong, which is
also operated by the MTR company. It extends in the western New
Territories from Yuen Long to Tuen Mun. For journeys with the Light
Rail, it is definitely advisable to use the Octopus card, as otherwise
you have to deal with paper tickets and a zone tariff model. When using
the Octopus card, billing is carried out automatically in the same way
as for the MTR, depending on the start and destination stop. There are 2
different octopus readers on the platforms of the Lightrail. The orange
devices (Entry Fare Processor) for noting the starting stop on the
Octopus map and the green devices (Exit Fare Processor) for checking out
and calculating the fare. Since there is no sealed off station area like
the MTR, which can only be entered with a valid ticket, there are
sporadic ticket/octopus checks on the Light Rail lines.
The tram costs HK$2.30, making it the cheapest mode of transport
along with the Star Ferry. The price remains the same whether you only
travel to one station or to the final stop. You get in at the back and
when you get out you pay the driver either in cash or with the Octopus
Card.
The wagons are not very high. If you are over 180 cm tall,
you should only board if you have a seat view. It is customary to simply
let a full tram pass and take the next one.
The names of the
stations are readable from both the upper deck and the lower deck. In
general, it is more pleasant and clearer for the tourist to drive on the
upper deck.
The tram runs from Kennedy Town in the west to Happy
Valley (to the racecourse) or Shau Kei Wan in the east. It is one of the
few double-decker trams still in use in the world. A tram ride,
especially on the upper deck, is a must on any Hong Kong visit. You can
e.g. For example, hop on anywhere in Central and then drive to Happy
Valley or Northpoint and see part of the city that way. The trains that
run via the Happy Valley loop (lines 4 and 5) continue in the original
direction after a short stop at the terminus behind the racetrack. A
tram going from Western Market to Happy Valley will then continue to
North Point and vice versa.
Hong Kong has a well-developed bus network with stops on almost every
corner. If you don't want to use the Airport Express for the transfer
from/to the airport, you can use the double-decker line A 21. A 21 goes
direct to Kowloon and offers better views than the train. In contrast to
e.g. B. to the tram not when getting off, but already when boarding.
However, it should be noted that the fare is always calculated from the
boarding point to the final stop of the line, even if you only travel
one stop. The best case is the journey from the penultimate to the last
stop on the line, the most expensive variant is boarding at the starting
stop and getting off at the second stop on the line. However, since the
bus fares are also very cheap in a European comparison, this is of
little consequence.
It should also be noted that at stops where
several bus lines stop, there are sometimes several queues for the
different bus lines. These are usually marked by dashes on the ground
along with the line numbers.
In the street
Driving in Hong
Kong is not easy and very expensive for those unfamiliar with the area.
Parking spaces in particular are a rarity on Hong Kong Island and the
opposite side of the port. No wonder traffic consists almost entirely of
buses, taxis, vans and expensive luxury vehicles. Three tunnels pass
under the harbor and charge: Eastern Harbor Crossing, Cross Harbor
Tunnel and Western Harbor Crossing.
Hong Kong's taxis are very cheap compared to European metropolises.
The first two kilometers cost 24 HKD, then 1.50 HKD per 200 meters.
Prices in taxis are usually rounded up to the nearest HKD, with baggage
surcharges (5 HKD per piece of luggage transported in the trunk) and the
tunnel toll for crossing under the harbor basin (55 HKD) being paid by
the passenger in addition.
A special feature is that taxis are
only allowed to pick up passengers in certain areas of the city, but are
then allowed to go anywhere. Red cabs operate on Hong Kong Island and
Kowloon, blue cabs on Lan Tau and green cabs in the New Territories. For
a journey through one of the port tunnels, the drivers charge a
surcharge of 10 HKD in addition to the actual toll, since they have to
return empty. At so-called cross-harbour taxi ranks, you only pay the
tunnel fee once.
Not every driver understands destination
information in English. You are then either connected to the control
center by radio and can enter your destination there, or you have to try
the next taxi. It makes sense to get the address in Chinese from the
hotel porter, as a business card or on a piece of paper.
Not as fast, but definitely nicer, is crossing the harbor in a boat.
The Star Ferry has long become an icon of the Hong Kong port. The
connection between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central is particularly impressive.
The price for this route is 2.50 HKD for the lower deck and 3.00 HKD for
the upper deck. The ferries run every 10 minutes from half past six in
the morning to half past eleven in the evening. Ferry services across
the port operate from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central and Wan Chai, from Hung
Hom to Central, Wan Chai and North Point, and from Kwun Tong to North
Point.
In addition to port crossings, ferries mainly connect Hong
Kong with the offshore islands. The main branch is the Outlying Islands
Ferry Pier, just west of the Star Ferry Pier in Central. The outlying
islands are usually approached every 20 to 30 minutes, with both fast
ferries (catamarans) and "regular" ferries with the option of
transporting bulky goods. The latter can be recognized by a blue marking
on the timetables and are slightly cheaper, whereby you can choose
between first (upper deck, air-conditioned) and second (main and lower
deck, not air-conditioned) class. Passengers who wish to use first class
must select a separate turnstile at the port of departure and will
receive a voucher that entitles them to enter the first class area. It
is not possible to redeem the surcharge on board. A trip from Central to
Cheung Chau or Mui Wo (Lantau) costs about 23 HDK (regular ferry, second
class, weekdays) and 33 HKD (fast ferry, Sundays), depending on whether
it is a weekday or a weekend.
Payment can be made in cash, by
purchasing tokens and with the Octopus Card. Tokens are purchased from
vending machines, typically tokens are only used by tourists.
Other entry options from China are CKS Ferries (Chu Kong Shipping
Enterprises) from mainland China. From Zhongshan Passenger Port you can
drive directly to the airport and check in at the port or take a second
ferry directly to Hong Kong City (very centrally located at the China
Ferry Terminal). The crossing cost 185 HKD in Nov. 2019.
Trying to get around Hong Kong by bike is a bad idea. The high temperatures and, above all, high humidity make cycling very difficult. In addition, almost all of Hong Kong is not only hilly, but mountainous. Left-hand traffic is unfamiliar to continental Europeans. Motor vehicles are not used to being confronted with bicycles, and cycle paths are virtually non-existent.
Lan Tau Island (天坛大佛, Tian Tan Buddha). Lan Tau Island's temple
grounds are centered around one of the largest Buddha statues in East
Asia. If you go up the stairs, you can climb further up and have a nice
view of the surroundings. There is a vegetarian restaurant in the
temple.
Wong Tai Sin Temple (黃大仙祠). One of the larger temple
complexes in Hong Kong and one of the main tourist attractions is the
Wong Tai Sin Temple. The Taoist temple dedicated to the great Wong is
best known for its divination. In front of the main hall of the temple
you will see many people who predict the future with the oracle sticks
and then go to one of the many fortune tellers. If you want, you can try
it out, some of the fortune tellers also speak English. In the back of
the temple there is a quiet garden, where there are no tourist groups.
Small pavilions and a nine-dragon wall are located here. MTR Wong Tai
Sin.
From August 1, 2016, admission to the following museums will be free:
Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Hong Kong Museum
of Art, Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, and Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum.
Hong Kong Museum of History (香港歷史博物館). Hong Kong Museum of History
and the adjacent Science Museum are described under Kowloon.
Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware (茶具文物館). The Museum of Teaware is
located in Hong Kong's oldest foreign building, in Hong Kong Park. The
house, built in 1844, housed the commander of the British armed forces
until 1978. Since 1984, it has housed an exhibition of traditional and
modern teaware and the history of tea culture in China. MTR Admiralty.
Price: Admission is free.
Lei Cheng Uk Museum (李鄭屋漢墓博物館)
Museum of
Art (香港藝術館)
Space Museum
Hong Kong Heritage Museum, 1 Man Lam
Road, Sha Tin, Hong Kong. Tel.: +852 2180 8188. Blue line MTR to Che
Kung Temple, from there approx. minutes via the pedestrian bridge or
possibly via the traffic bridge, large building. Permanent exhibition
and other changing exhibitions.
Various
The Peak (太平山, formerly Victoria Peak). Hong Kong's local mountain
opens up a unique view of the metropolis. The ride on the Peak Tram,
which has connected the Peak with the lower-lying parts of the city
since 1885, is already attractive. From the Peak Tower, where the tram
ends, and from the shopping mall next door, you can already enjoy a
great view of the city. If you have some time, you should not miss to
walk a few steps on Lugard Road. After about 10-15 minutes there is a
spectacular panorama that shows the city from a different perspective
than from the Peak Tower. You can continue along Lugard Road and circle
the Peak (takes about an hour). The return journey is then via Harlech
Road. The actual summit of the peak is a half-hour walk from the tram
station. To get to the summit, follow Mt. Austin Road. This walk is
particularly worthwhile because of the Peak Garden, a beautifully
landscaped garden with a fabulous view. There may be long waits at Peak
Tram stations at certain times; it is advisable to start the journey in
the early afternoon. Unfortunately, it is now no longer possible for
users of an Octopus card to skip the queue at the checkout. However, you
can buy tickets to the wax museum at the Peak Tram valley station -
these then allow you to use a fast lane past the general queues. Peak
Tram from Admiralty: HKD 88 return, between 7am and midnight every 10-15
minutes. If you want to avoid the often one to two hour tram wait, you
can take the 15 bus from Exchange Square in Central, 9.20 HKD one way.
Ocean Park Hong Kong (香港海洋公園) . The Ocean Park Hong Kong is not only a
nice way for families with children to spend a quiet day in Hong Kong.
In addition to several rides, restaurants, a sea lion and dolphin show,
the giant pandas are the attraction of the park. Several of them live
here in large enclosures. There are also their relatives, the red
pandas, pygmy otters and fish to admire. A cable car and the "submarine"
Nautilus, a train that appears to travel under water, connect the two
parts of the park at the base and at the top of a mountain. Black kites
use the thermals here and circle above the visitors and sometimes under
the gondolas of the cable car.
Victoria Harbor (維多利亞港) . The port
between the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong.
Covering an area of approximately 41.88 km² in 2004, its natural depth
and sheltered position enticed the British to occupy Hong Kong Island
during the First Opium War to set up a trading post colony. The port is
famous for its great panoramic views and is a top tourist attraction. It
is a landmark in the area and is considered a key natural geographic
element by city dwellers. The importance of the landmark to the
territory has been clearly demonstrated in recent years when the
government has sought to undertake redevelopment projects in the port.
The projects provoked violent protests, although the projects are said
to have provided jobs for the last half century and more.
Boardwalk
(skyline). The star here is not the stars and asterisks that have
immortalized themselves in the cement slabs of the Avenue of Stars
behind the Hong Kong Cultural Center, but the Hong Kong Iceland skyline.
Whether in broad daylight or illuminated at night, the promenade is
always worth a visit and is a highlight of Hong Kong's tourist
attractions. The skyline is particularly impressive at sunset, bathed in
evening sunlight. A tripod is definitely recommended in the evenings and
at night. MTR Station: Tsim Sha Tsui.
Nian Lian Garden (南蓮園池). Right
next to the Diamond Hill MTR station you will find this beautiful
garden. The place is relatively quiet on weekdays and there are hardly
any tourists. The park is laid out in the traditional Chinese style and,
in addition to various small pavilions, has a lake and a waterfall. In
addition, there is a building for exhibitions in the park, which cost
admission, a vegetarian restaurant, a souvenir shop and a hall for tea
ceremonies that can be rented. Directly opposite the park is the Chi Lin
Nunnery, which houses a Tang Dynasty-style temple.
Kowloon Walled
City Park (九龍寨城公園) . A place of particular historical importance is the
Kowloon Walled City Park. The former Kowloon Fortress was located on the
territory of the park. After Hong Kong Island fell to the British, the
fort built in 1810 was strengthened by the Qing government. After the
New Territories had also become British, the fort was evacuated by the
British, even though it was Chinese territory, and left to its own
devices. During the Japanese occupation, the fortress was dismantled to
get building materials for the nearby Kai Tak airfield. After the
Japanese left, the area, which was still officially part of China,
became a lawless slum. Building was done without any rules, the streets
housed illegal shops and doctors and were the retreat of the triads.
Since Hong Kong had no legal authority over the area, a decision was
made along with China in 1987 to demolish the slums, which ended in
1994. Today, the area is a classic Chinese-style park. In the only
original house of the former fortress, the Yamen, there is an
interactive exhibition about the life of the people in the former slums.
The remains of the fortress found during excavations as well as various
historical pictures are exhibited throughout the park. Tung Tau Tsuen
Rd., MRT Lok Fu then 15 min walk.
The most famous mouse in the
world and her friends can be seen at Disneyland Hong Kong on Lan Tau
Island.
In the 9 sky100 you are almost as high as on the Viktoria
Peak. From here you have a good all-round view of Hong Kong Island and
Kowloon. If you want to go even higher, you should dress reasonably
neatly and drive up to the Ozone Bar. There is usually no entrance fee.
The drink prices are higher than in most bars in Hong Kong, but if you
just order a beer or soft drink, you get it even cheaper than if you pay
for the sky100. The view is limited to Kowloon.
Hike. As strange as that may sound, Hong Kong is a hiker's paradise. Whether MacLehose on Hong Kong Island or a hike to the beautiful Tai Long Wan Beach near SaiKung, where you can only get there on foot, the network of paths is well developed and partly leads through untouched nature.
Hong Kong is a shopper's paradise, especially for cameras,
electronics and fashion. In addition to the shopping centers, there are
also large department stores, small boutiques and street markets. If you
want to go on a big shopping spree, you can start from the MRT stations
Kowloon Central or Causeway Bay, for example.
However,
electronics are no longer available at the bargain price they were years
ago. The selection is not necessarily greater than in a German
electronics store or specialist shop. In order to buy reasonably
cheaply, you would have to spend a lot of time. An example: In November
2012, a tablet computer was to be purchased, which at that time was
available by mail order in Germany from €208 (including tax). Six store
offers in different parts of the city were compared, and finally a
device was purchased for around €200, which required user interface and
keyboard to be switched to German, which had no Euro plug and only 8 GB
instead of 16 GB (as is usual in German offers). and only had a one-year
Hong Kong guarantee (instead of 2 years worldwide). The 3G version could
only have been operated with a Hong Kong SIM card. But you only find out
these differences if you ask about them. Anyone who buys electronics
here must therefore obtain detailed information in advance.
Camera technology is hardly cheaper than in Europe. Be careful with
unfamiliar brands of lenses or flash units. Wide-angle or telephoto
attachments for lenses are often offered, but the optical quality is
very modest. Branded goods are available, but rarely really cheap. With
products from Hong Kong (e.g. Nissin flash units) you can get good
bargains, they are significantly cheaper than at Amazon. Small spare
parts such as lens caps or UV filters are often significantly more
expensive than in Germany.
Cameras are hardly cheaper than in
Europe, as are branded lenses in the lower and middle price categories.
However, high-quality lenses can be purchased much cheaper than in
Germany. Bargaining about the price is possible in brand shops, but
hardly promising for high-quality goods. The wide-angle attachments
mentioned are initially offered for the equivalent of 300 euros, despite
clear disinterest, the price is reduced to 80 euros by the time you
leave the shop. A 77 lens cap for Nikon (not from Nikon), however, cost
16 euros in 2013, no bargaining possible.
Shopping
centers/shopping malls
Times Square, MTR Causeway Bay, Times Square
exit. Large and elegant mall with many mid-priced shops and boutiques.
The top floor is home to one of Hong Kong's largest bookstores (Page
One).
Sogo, MTR Causeway Bay, Sogo exit. Japanese department store in
Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Shui. All sorts of everyday objects and
textiles can be found on nine floors.
Wan Chai Computer Center, MTR
Wan Chai. Although technical accessories are often not cheaper than in
Europe, buying them in Hong Kong can still be worthwhile, as some
products are on the market earlier in Asia. In the Wan Chai Computer
Center there are countless small computer and electronics shops that are
cheaper than the counterparts on Nathan Road, which are overpriced for
tourism.
Harbor City, Canton Road, MTR Tsim Sha Tsui, or by Star
Ferry. Huge shopping center in Tsim Sha Tsui
Pacific Place
Festival Walk
Landmark, Pedder Street, MTR Central. The shopping mall
in Central specializes in the upper price segment. Almost all important
designers have their branches here: Gucci, Dior, Fendi, Vuitton, etc.
Wing Shing Photo Supplies Co. Ltd., Mongkok Kowloon, - MTR Mongkok. A
reputable good photo shop with fixed, low prices and a very good
selection.
Supermarkets
welcome Inexpensive supermarket chain,
available almost everywhere.
Park'n'Shop. Inexpensive supermarket
chain, available almost everywhere.
City great. Expensive supermarket
with lots of Japanese and European products.
Great, Admiralty MTR
Station, Pacific Place exit. Expensive supermarket with lots of Japanese
and European products, fresh sushi, juices.
Street markets
Ladies' Market, Tung Choi Street, MTR Mongkok. One of the largest street
markets selling mainly clothing but also souvenirs, household items and
CDs. The market starts around noon and lasts until the evening.
Flower Market. flower market.
Goldfish Market, Tung Choi Street, MTR
Prince Edward. A whole street with an incredible number of fish and
accessories.
Bird's Market. Besides ornamental fish, birds are the
most popular pets in narrow Hong Kong. A wide range of different
ornamental birds can be found at the Birds Market. Prince Edward MTR
Station, exit “Mong Kok Police Station.” Walk east on Prince Edward Road
West to Yuen Po Street Bird Garden.
Jade Market, on Kansu Street. MTR
Jordan or Yau Ma Tei. Open: daily 10.00 a.m. - 3.00 p.m.
Lanes in
Central, Li Yuen Street East and Li Yuen Street West, between Des Veux
Road Central and Queens Road Central, near the Escalator. Here you can
buy bags, belts, Chinese dresses, fabrics, watches, etc.
Cat Street,
off Hollywood Road across from Ma On Temple. Here you can find Chinese
porcelain, wooden necklaces, Mao souvenirs and lots of odds and ends,
which are ideal as souvenirs.
Argyle Center. Shopping center for
young, affordable fashion. Lots of small shops and almost always
incredibly busy, but doesn't open until around 12 noon. MTR Station Mong
Kok Take exit "Argyle Centre".
Temple Street Night Market. Certainly
the most touristic market in Hong Kong. The stalls are already set up
from midday, but it only really fills up when it gets dark. Ideal for
buying souvenirs and gifts. MTR Jordan, follow Jordan Street west and
turn left onto Woo Sung Street.
label shops
Nike
Shop 402,
4/F, Old Wing Sogo Department Store, Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay. Phone:
+852 2895-5668.
Shop G33 & G34, Park Lane Shopper's Boulevard, 145
Nathan Rd. Tel: +852 2377-9660.
Shop 36 & 40, Manning House, 48
Queen's Road Central. Phone: +852 2526-7620.
Store 2612, Level 2,
Gateway Arcade, Harbor City TST. Phone: +852 2895-5912.
Tommy
Hilfiger
Store OT 302, Level 3, Ocean Terminal, Harbor City, Kowloon.
Shop 2615-16, 2/F., Harbor City, Kowloon. Tommy Jeans & Girl.
Shop SK
312, B3 Hong Kong Seibu, The Kowloon Hotel TST, Kowloon.
Shop SK 202,
B2 Hong Kong Seibu, The Kowloon Hotel TST, Kowloon.
Shop 104A, Level
1, Hong Kong Seibu, Parcific Place. Tommy Jeans & Girl.
Unit LG1-09,
Festival Walk, 80 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon.
Shop B19, 1st Baseman
Floor, The Landmark, Cental.
Shop 210B, Level 2, Hong Kong Seibu,
Parcific Place.
Shop 317, 3/F., Time Square, Causeway Bay.
Store
5-04, 5/F, Jumbo Sogo, Causeway Bay.
Store 3-05, 3/F, Jumbo Sogo,
Causeway Bay. Tommy Jeans & Girl.
Shop 274, 2/f., Cityplaza, Taikoo
Shing. edit info
Shop 381, Level 3, Phase 1, New Town Plaza, Shatin,
New Territories.
Shop SL228, Level 2, Hong Kong Seibu, Langham Place,
8 Argyle Street, Kowloon. Tommy Jeans & Girl.
Shop SE136-137, Level
1, Hong Kong Seibu, Parcific Place. Tommy Kids.
Ok service
Frontside LTD, 8/F, Sands Building, 17 Hankow Road, Tsimshatsui,
Kowloon, Hong Kong. Phone: +852 2792-0353.
There are many cheap restaurants in Hong Kong, but in the higher
price ranges there is almost no upper limit, especially when it comes to
European food. Traditional Cantonese cuisine takes some getting used to
because of its spices. You can try these in the many small street bars
in the evening, especially in Kowloon. Canton ducks and shumai are
well-known and quite tasty. Chinese food is also available in many small
restaurants. If you don't like that, you can choose something from any
kitchen in the world.
Fast food lovers will find McDonalds, Mos
Burger and KFC on every corner and even Bubba Shrimp on the Peak. The
Café de Coral chain, which serves Chinese food at an unbeatably low
price, offers somewhat better fast food. Because of the many Filipino
guest workers, Jollibee is also represented in the MTR Central Station.
Tip: Café One has an unbeatable buffet every evening (MTR Causeway Bay,
310 Gloucester Rd., in the Park Lane Hotel building). If you've always
wanted to fill up on lobster, crab, shrimp, sashimi and delicacies from
all regions of Asia, you can do so here. In addition, you can enjoy a
great view over Victoria Park. For the equivalent of EUR 40 per person,
you get something here that is unparalleled in Hong Kong. Due to the
high rush and the low price, prior reservation is mandatory
(cafeone@parklane.com.hk).
There is an almost unbelievable range
of seafood in the village Lei Yue Mun Seafood District. Here, dozens of
smaller restaurants are lined up along the harbor basin and offer
practically everything to eat that wriggles in the sea. The size of the
lobster, fish and shrimp is probably unmatched anywhere in the world.
The displays are a feast for the senses, even for those who don't want
to eat there. Yau Tong MRT station, walk right ahead through the bus
terminal and walk down about 10 mins to the left side of the port.
For those who love it sweet: You should definitely try the coconut
milk, which is offered in various places, especially in Kowloon. Fresh
coconut is mashed with milk and syrup and served on ice. Fresh fruit can
also be added for flavor if desired. For ice cream lovers, we recommend
the unassuming Gourmet Dessert Cafe in Yau Ma Tei, just off MTR Exit C.
There is everything from flambéed ice cream to water ice cream with red
beans and herb jelly. Gourmet Dessert Cafe
If you want to have
breakfast 24 hours a day, the Flying Pan (G/F 9 Old Bailey Street,
Central, Hong Kong) is an excellent place to do so, diagonally across
from the old prison. The store is open 24 hours / 7 days a week. In
addition, the prices are moderate and there are z. B. Egg dishes in all
variations (tip: the omelette "The Kitchen Sink").
One restaurant
largely unnoticed by tourists is in Kowloon, just behind the Chungking
Mansions. Even if you stand directly in front of it, you don't
immediately notice that you are in front of a busy restaurant. It is
very busy all day long, often with entire families. You are "placed"
like in the GDR. There is a menu with large colored pictures, without
which it would be difficult to order anything. Few staff speak broken
English, but gestures are fine. The food is brought to the table by the
respective chef, you will be asked if that is correct, and you will
explain something in Chinese. Drinks are included. payment is made at
the exit, usually by credit card. A very sumptuous menu with all the
trimmings cost the equivalent of 21 euros for two in the summer of 2013.
Lan Kwai Fong. Very popular nightlife spot for Europeans near Central
MTR station. A street lined with many small pubs and clubs, the real
life is on the traffic-free streets, especially at the top of D'Aguilar
Street. Hundreds of night owls meet there every weekend. A classic is a
photo in front of the Lan Kwai Fong street sign.
Wan Chai
The
Red Light District on Hong Kong Island. But there are also many normal
pubs here - from classic Irish pubs to pubs with permanent live bands.
The focal point of the district is Lockhart Road and Jaffe Road between
the two MTR stations Wan Chai and Admiralty.
Beer Garden, 5 Hanoi
Road Tsim Sha Tsui Hong Kong. German bar.
Bit Point, 31 D'Aguilar
Street Central Hong Kong. German beers galore, G/F.
ICC/The
Ritz-Carlton, 1 Austin Rd W, Hong Kong.
If you have deeper
pockets, we recommend a visit to the bar at the Ritz Carlton in the ICC.
The Ozone advertises that it is the highest bar in the world. The prices
are high, cocktails can be ordered from 150 HKD. On a clear day you can
enjoy a spectacular view of Hong Kong. Waiting times are to be expected
on weekends. Attention is paid to a neat wardrobe, shorts are not
welcome. In addition, closed parties (private function) often take place
here, which are already posted in the elevator lobby on the 9th floor. A
table requires HK$1000 minimum consumption. Take the elevator from the
lobby to the Ritz-Carlton's reception on the 103rd floor and transfer to
the elevator marked "Ozone" to the right of the elevators to the hotel
rooms.
gay & bi
Sauna Alexander, 404 Reclamation Street, Mong
Kok (MTR Mong Kok, Exit E1, next to Langham Place Hotel). A rainbow flag
hangs in the entrance area to the street.
In the upper segment, the traveler will find a very large selection.
Hotel rooms are more expensive in Hong Kong than in Europe, but then
mostly smaller.
For travelers with a smaller budget, the
so-called Chungking Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui (MRT Tsim Sha Tsui, exit
D1 or N2) are ideal. This is a complex of five high-rise buildings
housing dozens of budget hostels and smaller shops and eateries on the
lower two levels. The rooms are mostly quite clean and very cheap.
Usually three to four windowless square meters are available to the
tourist, plus a shower with toilet, AC and TV. An experience report from
the Chungking Mansions from 2013 shows that first impressions can be
deceiving. Fair prices start (Oct 2016) around HK$130, negotiable vs.
the prices asked (seasonal -30-40%).
Traditional Chinese holidays in particular are not calculated
according to the Gregorian calendar but according to a lunissolar
calendar - this is a calendar that depends on both solar and lunar
cycles. The Chinese year consists of 12 months of 29 or 30 days. A leap
month is added every three years. The implication is that holidays of
this system fall on different days each year because they are tied to a
specific day of a lunar cycle, e.g. B. Chinese New Year falls on the
first new moon between January 21st and February 21st. Apart from the
Chinese New Year, many shops and restaurants are open on the holidays,
offices are mostly closed. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the
following Monday is a work-free day.
January 1 New Year
In
addition to the Chinese New Year, the first day of the Gregorian
calendar year is also a public holiday.
between January 21st and
February 21st Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year festival lasts
three days and takes place on the first new moon between January 21st
and February 21st. The Chinese New Year is the most important holiday of
the year and is comparable to Christmas in Germany. Many restaurants and
shops are closed. On the second day, the New Year's parade takes place,
and in the evening there are fireworks. The festival is high season in
Hong Kong and hotels should be booked earlier than usual.
or
April 5 Ching Ming Festival
The ancestors are remembered and
sacrifices are made at the graves.
23rd day of the third moon Tin
house birthday
The birthday of Princess Tin Hau is celebrated, who is
the patron saint of all fishermen and sailors and has a correspondingly
high status. The biggest celebrations take place at the Tin Hau Temple
on Clearwater Bay. Besides sacrifices, lion dances are also performed
throughout the day. Special ferries operate from North Point throughout
the day.
8th day of the fourth moon Buddha's birthday
On the
8th day of the fourth moon, Buddha's birthday is celebrated and in all
Buddha temples the Buddha images are ritually washed by the devotees
sprinkling water on them.
5th Lunar Month Buns Festival (Cheung
Chau)
The Buns Festival honoring the Northern Emperor is held on
Cheung Chau Island in the fifth lunar month. Buns (a kind of roll) are
hung on three towers, each approx. 20 meters high. On the final night,
the towers are climbed by locals as the buns promise good luck. Priests
also distribute buns. Since an accident in 1978 in which 100 people were
injured, the towers were climbed for the first time in 2005, subject to
strict safety requirements. The next morning there is a procession in
which children are specially dressed and carried. Overall, there is a
folk festival character. Special ferries return to Hong Kong Island all
night. A model of the Buns Towers is on display at the History Museum.
5th day of the 5th lunar month Dragon Boat Festival
In the months
leading up to the actual festival on the 5th day of the fifth lunar
month, paddling teams can be seen training on many Hong Kong beaches.
The festival commemorates the poet Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in a
river. To keep the fish from eating his body, people would go out on the
river and beat the drums. In addition, they threw bamboo-wrapped rice
into water for fish to eat instead. Today this bamboo rice is the
traditional food of the festival. The races take place at various
locations in Hong Kong: on Hong Kong Island, in Aberdeen and Stanley, on
Lan Tau in Mui Wo and Pui O Beach in the New Territories in Sai Kung,
Sha Tin, Tai Po and Tuen Muen. In Sha Tin, the races take place on a
river. Standley is the most popular race among expats and has a large
number of company boats. The announcements here are in English. The
International Dragon Boat Race takes place a week after the local races.
In the past, the venue was Sha Tin. In 2005 the race took place for the
first time in Tsim Sha Tsui East (Kowloon).
1 July Foundation Day
of Hong Kong SAR
July 1st commemorates Hong Kong's return to China in
1997.
3rd Monday of August Liberation Day
15th day of the
8th lunar month Mid-Autumn Festival
On the 15th day of the eighth
lunar month, the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival,
takes place. The focus is on the moon, countless lanterns are lit and
mooncakes are eaten. In the evening, fire dragons consisting of glowing
incense sticks process in Wun Sha Street.
9th Day of the 9th
Lunar Month Double Ninth (Chung Yeung Festival)
Takes place on the
ninth day of the ninth lunar month. Similar to the Ching Ming Festival,
ancestors are commemorated and offerings are made at their graves.
Hong Kong is a relatively safe big city. Crime exists, but luggage and wallets are more at risk than life and limb. At the airport and in the crowds, one should not lose sight of luggage and valuables. A money belt or neck pouch can prevent pickpocketing. Caution is also advised in dormitories in youth hostels. Hong Kong is also unproblematic and safe for women traveling alone. The emergency number is 999.
Aside from the Chungking Mansions and other very cheap accommodations, Hong Kong has western standards throughout with high hygiene and health standards. Vaccinations are not mandatory for Hong Kong. The addresses of German-speaking doctors can be obtained from the consulates. Tap water can be drunk, but it doesn't really taste good due to the high chlorine content. You can buy still water very cheaply in the supermarket or there are 0.5 l bottles from free-standing machines in MRT and shopping centers for 5.50 HKD ≈ 0.50 €. In the summer heat, you should definitely drink enough water and stay in the shade more often.
telecommunications
(prices Oct. 2016)
International dialing
code for HK: +852...
SIM cards
Various prepaid SIM cards are
available from 7-11, including the airport branch. All company top-ups
are available at the numerous convenience stores at the tills, a minimum
of HK$50 is common. With some tariffs, local calls from 12 p.m. to 9
p.m. are significantly more expensive. With most operators, the called
party also pays the local price per minute! Cards expire 180 days after
the last top-up.
The Discover Hong Kong Tourist SIM Card is
offered by the Tourist Office in conjunction with the provider PCCW/csl.
They are available for 5 (HK$88) or 8 days (HK$118). During this time,
local calls are free, plus 1.5Gb of data through the PCCW hotspots known
to be slow, plus HK$25 credit for international calls. The cards can be
extended by up to 180 days by topping them up and can also be used in
Taiwan, Macao and Shenzen at the comparatively high daily rate of HK$
40. The disadvantage is that the number received is lost forever after
it expires.
The One2Free Power Prepaid SIM from csl is interesting
for customers who want to make calls in the nearer Asian region and
North America. Local calls cost HK$0.25/min, SMS to csl network HK$0.10
other networks HK$0.70; International calls to certain countries are
free. Data volume must be booked (hotspot overview).
China Mobile
4G/3G Data & Voice Prepaid SIM Card: $HK$80, local calls HK$0.10,
Internet “3G lite” (max 384k/s) HK$30 for 10 days.
The China Unicom
Cross Border King for HK$120 comes with two numbers, one for HK, the
other for China (area code +86...). Calls cost HK$0.45/min, data
expensive HK$35 for 100Mb.
With the 3 Hong Kong 3G Super Value
Monthly Fee Rechargeable SIM Card for HK$ 98, you can book HK$ 68,680
free minutes per month, otherwise local calls cost HK$ 0.3.
Post
State-owned Hong Kong Post (Rate Chart) charges HK$2.30 for aerograms;
Airmail letters (up to 20g) to Western Europe (Zone 2) HK$3.70, large
formats HK$3.80, each 10g more HK$1.60. Registered mail HK$15.50 extra.
General Post Office, Hong Kong, Central, 康樂廣場2號 (2 Connaught Pl.).
In the basement with a small museum and philatelist counter. Open:
8am-6pm (Sun. + Holidays 9am-5pm).
Kowloon Central Post Office, 405
Nathan Rd, Yau Ma Tei. Open: Mon.-Fri. 9.30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. until
1.30 p.m.
Electricity
The electrical voltage in Hong Kong is
220 V at 50 Hz, which roughly corresponds to the German system. However,
the sockets are of type G (have three holes) and an appropriate adapter
is required. These are already available for less than HKD 10 at many
market stalls or in the pricerite chain of electronics shops. Many
accommodations already provide adapters in their rooms.
Laundromats
Laundromats with vending machines are not common in Hong
Kong like e.g. Instead, there are relatively cheap laundries in most
residential areas, for example on Staunton Street in Soho. Normal
laundry is washed by weight, the basic price is around 30 HKD and allows
around 3.5 kg of laundry. The laundry can be picked up after a few hours
of drying.
Public toilets
Public toilets can be found in many
places in Hong Kong, e.g. B. in parks or on busy routes, and especially
in the large shopping centers. Both the equipment and the hygienic
conditions vary considerably. While the toilets located in public spaces
are usually about the same level as a corresponding facility in German
motorway parking lots and are therefore usually classified at the lower
end of the scale in terms of hygiene, most washrooms in large shopping
centers are cleaned practically continuously (sometimes even after each
visitor) cleaned and, in addition to impeccable cleanliness, sometimes
offer amazing design qualities (in particular the toilets in the IFC
Mall are very modern and sometimes even have a shoe shine machine). For
this reason, the toilets in the shopping centers should always be
preferred. the toilets of the relevant fast food chains are often not in
the best condition. The standing toilets, which Europeans take a lot of
getting used to (which are more reminiscent of a shower tray with
integrated platforms for putting your feet down), are usually only found
in public washrooms (e.g. on the beaches). However, as in the shopping
centers, there is usually at least one toilet of European standards.
Representations
The Consulate General of the Republic of Austria
(Central). Phone: +852 2522 80 86, Fax: +852 2521 87 73, Email:
hongkong-gk@bmeia.gv.at.
Swiss Consulate General, Suite 6206-07,
Central Plaza, 18 Harbor Road (Wan Chai). Tel.: +852 2522 7174, fax:
+852 2845 2619, e-mail: hon.vertretung@eda.admin.ch.
Consulate
General of the Federal Republic of Germany, United Centre, 21st floor,
95 Queensway-Central. Tel: +852 21 05 87 77, Fax: +852 28 65 20 33,
Email: germancg@netvigator.com.
Language
The official
languages are Cantonese, Mandarin and English. Cantonese is a southern
Chinese dialect very different from Mandarin. Even in the days of the
British Crown Colony, the proportion of English-speaking residents was
surprisingly low. Outside of the tourist hubs in Tsim Sha Tsui or
Central Hong Kong Island, communicating with the locals can be
difficult. You may have to get out of a taxi after realizing that the
driver doesn't know the English names of Hong Kong neighborhoods.
Nevertheless, Hong Kong is certainly one of the easier cities in East
Asia to travel to when it comes to communication.
Since the
return of Hong Kong, the English language has continued to decline. The
reason for this is the abolition of compulsory English lessons in
schools and the exodus of industry to mainland China. In addition,
Mandarin is heavily promoted by the Chinese administration, although
only a small percentage of Hong Kong Chinese speak Mandarin as their
first language. For example, MTR announcements are now first made in
Mandarin. In the long term, Mandarin will probably establish itself as a
second foreign language alongside English at its expense.
Street
signs, public announcements, some TV programs, etc. are almost entirely
bilingual. However, many small restaurants outside of the tourist
centers only have Chinese menus.
Hong Kong is located at the mouth of the Pearl River in the South
China Sea. The territory of Hong Kong extends over a very irregularly
shaped peninsula, as well as 263 islands, the main of which are Lantau
Island (147.2 km²), Hong Kong Island (78.6 km²), Chek Lap Kok (14.6
km²), Lamma Island (13.9 km²), Tsing Yi (10.7 km²), Cheung Chau (2.4
km²) and Peng Chau (1.2 km²) are. The territory is divided into Hong
Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands.
About 25% of the 1113 km² land area is built up. A significant
portion of the built-up area was created through land reclamation in
Victoria Harbor and the New Territories. This has added 68 km² of land
area since 1887. This is mainly due to the very mountainous relief with
many steep slopes; only in the north of the New Territories are there
larger plains. The highest elevation is the Tai Mo Shan in the New
Territories at 958 m. The better known is the Victoria Peak, at 552 m
the highest mountain on Hong Kong Island and a popular destination. The
495 m high Lion Rock on the border between Kowloon and New Territories
is considered one of the most striking natural monuments and Hong Kong's
local mountain.
The inhabitable territory of Hong Kong is one of the most densely
populated areas in the world after Monaco with around 16,000 inhabitants
per km², with the population density of the entire territory being
around 6,900 inhabitants per km².
The population has roughly
quadrupled in the past seven decades (from 1.7 million in 1945 to over
7.442 million in 2016) and has increased a thousandfold in 160 years
(from 7,500 in 1841). The number of children per woman is 1.19, the
second lowest worldwide, ahead of Macau. Population growth has been
declining sharply for the past 20 years: in 1996 it was 4.54 percent and
fell to 0.56 percent in 2016.
The average life expectancy in the
period from 2010 to 2015 was 83.4 years (men: 80.3, women: 86.3), making
it one of the highest in the world.
The immigration rate is
declining: according to estimates, 7.76 immigrants immigrated per 1,000
inhabitants in 2002, in 2016 it was 2.14. Around 95 percent of the
population are Han Chinese. Over 500,000 foreigners live in Hong Kong.
Most come from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, India and Pakistan.
The foreigners from the Philippines and Indonesia are overwhelmingly
women who mostly work as domestic help.
Despite the high
population density, Hong Kong is one of the greenest metropolitan areas
in Asia, which in turn is due to the area's mountainous topography. A
large part of the area is so mountainous and steep that it cannot be
built on and is therefore overgrown with trees and bushes. The majority
of the inhabitants live in mostly very small apartments in high-rise
buildings and skyscrapers; Detached houses are expensive and are very
rarely built because of the mountainous conditions and also for nature
conservation reasons, since about 40% of Hong Kong's land area is
designated as nature parks.
The two official languages of Hong Kong are English and Chinese,
although Chinese is not defined in the relevant Article 9 of Chapter I
of the Basic Law. The Cantonese language, which is predominant in Hong
Kong, and Standard Chinese, also known as Standard Chinese, are thus
officially regarded as one language with two variants, both of which are
to be regarded as an official language of Hong Kong. Both variants of
Chinese are written in the Chinese script. In Hong Kong, however, as in
Macau and in contrast to other parts of the People's Republic,
traditional long characters are used.
There are also characters
that are used exclusively in Hong Kong, which the Hong Kong government
has compiled and regularly updates in the so-called Hong Kong
Supplementary Character Set, abbreviation HKSCS. Hong Kong Cantonese
differs from Guangdong Cantonese in that, in addition to a large number
of Anglicisms, there is often a language switch between English and
Chinese colloquially. English is widely understood. For historical
reasons, English is not widely spoken among the older population.
Standard Chinese is becoming more and more popular as it becomes
more integrated with the mainland. Next to English, Japanese is the
second most popular foreign language in Hong Kong. On the other hand,
French, Spanish, German or other European languages have very little
popularity among the general population.
Almost every religion is practiced in Hong Kong. Due to its British
colonial history as a hub in Southeast Asia and a gateway to China,
people from different parts of the world and different faiths who
settled in Hong Kong have built their temples and places of worship
here. In the Chinese population, the Confucian, Taoist and Buddhist
world views dominate; more than 10% of the residents (mostly ethnic
Chinese) are Christians, including about 540,000 Catholics, of which
360,000 are Catholic Chinese. Accordingly, there is also a large number
of religious sites of different worldviews.
The most important
Buddhist temple in Hong Kong is the Temple of the Ten Thousand Buddhas
(萬佛寺, Wànfó Sì, Jyutping Maan6fat6 Zi6*2) in Sha Tin, which is located
on a hill. The walls of this temple are adorned with about 12,800
Buddhas donated by devotees in the city and abroad, and twelve craftsmen
worked on them for ten years. On Lantau Island is the Buddhist Po Lin
Monastery with the Tian Tan Buddha, one of the world's largest seated
Buddha images on the globe. Ling To Monastery is one of the three most
important Buddhist monasteries in Hong Kong.
Also of interest are
the numerous small temples wedged between the skyscrapers in Central and
Kowloon, such as the largest Man Mo Temple – Wenwu Temple in Standard
Chinese – (文武廟 in Hong Kong, Dedicated to the Taoist gods of literature
and martial arts, it is located in one of the island's most traditional
Sheung Wan neighborhoods at 124-126 Hollywood Road. This temple is ugsl
among Hong Kong local people. also known as "Man Mo Temple of the Tung
Wah Hospital Groups" - 東華三院文武廟 - as the temple administration is run by
this charitable organization. Usually, most of the temples in Hong Kong
are organized under the umbrella organization of the "Chinese Temples
Committee" (華人廟宇委員會, Chinese Temples Committee).
One of the more
than 102 mostly small tin hau temples (天后廟, Tiānhòu Miào, Jyutping
Tin1hau6 Miu) that can be found in various parts of Hong Kong is located
near Market Street in the Yaumatei district in north-western Kowloon
dedicated to the Taoist tutelary goddess Tinhau, pronounced Tianhou in
High Chinese, who is particularly popular with seafarers and fishermen
as a patron saint, whereas the huge Wong Tai Sin Temple, located a
little north of Mongkok, is Hong Kong's most visited temple because of
its wondrous healing powers and divinations is. The four most famous
Taoist temples in Hong Kong include the Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan
(Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong Island), the Wong Tai Sin Temple in
Kowloon and the oldest Tin Tau Temple in Hong Kong in Sai Kung (佛堂門天后古廟,
Joss House Bay Tin Hau Temple) and the Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin (車公廟,
Che Kung Temple).
Hong Kong's most important mosque, the Kowloon
Mosque and Islamic Centre, is located on Nathan Road in Kowloon, right
at the southern end of Kowloon Park, while St John's Cathedral, Hong
Kong's largest Anglican church, is located in the Central District; it
was built in 1849 and now sits amid trees in the shadow of the Bank of
China Tower. Unlike the mainland, Christian religious communities are
not organized in a Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association.