Hong Kong Guide

Planning your trip

Dear Friend,

We’re glad you’re either considering or have already

booked a trip to Hong Kong. Over the years, we’ve
had a lot of people come visit us and in this guide you
will find answers to questions that we get asked most
frequently when people are planning their trip. In part
II of this series of guides, you will find the pertinent
information for when you’re actually here.

We do our best to be environmentally friend so we

don’t encourage you to print out this document, but
should you find that it would be helpful to you, we’ve
included a condensed, printer-friendly version at the
end of the document.

Should you have any questions that are not answered

in this guide, please feel free to email us at
explore@samthelocal.com.

We’re looking forward to welcoming you to this

amazing city.

Warmest regards,

Your Friends at Sam the Local

www.SamtheLocal.com

Table of Contents
Quick Facts ..............................................................................3
Hong Kong International Airport....................................4
Visa Requirements................................................................4
Weather.....................................................................................5
Geography...............................................................................6
Where Should You Stay?.....................................................7
Things to Pack ........................................................................8
Book an Outing......................................................................9
Printer Friendly.......................................................................10
Quick Facts
Official Languages: Chinese (Cantonese/Mandarin) & English

Population: 7.2 million

Currency: Hong Kong Dollars (HKD)

Airport Name: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

Climate: Subtropical

Emergency Phone Number: 999

3
Hong Kong
International Airport
The Hong Kong International Airport is one
of the busiest yet most efficient airports
in the world. It offers free Wi-Fi, duty free
shopping, lounges, an ample variety of
food, and even an IMAX theater.
For more information, please visit their
website here.
Visa
Requirements
Hong Kong allows passport holders from
many countries to enter without a visa and
stay for 14-180 days, depending on the
passport. This includes countries such as USA,
Britain, Australia, France, Spain, Germany,
Russia, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore, South
Korea, Japan, and many more.
For a complete list, please visit this website
here and click on Part II to see your visa
requirement.
4
Source: Google

Weather
The weather in Hong Kong is subtropical, and it’s generally hot and humid. The most
comfortable months to visit Hong Kong are from November to April. Typhoon season is from
May to November which means the humidity and chance of rain will be extremely high. The
powerful winds of a typhoon make it dangerous to be outside and many flights get cancelled.
You can check the Hong Kong Observatory website for alerts on approaching typhoons.

5
Geography

Hong Kong is split into 3 different territories: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and New Territories
(connects to China). Hong Kong Island and Kowloon are separated by Victoria Harbour.

In these three territories, there are 18 districts.

6
Where Should You Stay?
This will heavily depend on your priorities and budget. As a general rule of thumb,
accommodations of the same level (hostel vs hostel, 5-star hotel vs 5-star hotel) will be more
expensive on Hong Kong Island than in Kowloon or the New Territories. Below are some of our
suggested areas to stay in and their pros and cons.

Hong Kong Island

Causeway Bay (#18 on map) - Hong Kong Island’s shopping mecca, Causeway Bay is always
one of the first places for new stores and restaurants to open. It’s popular among local people
and travellers alike, which also means it’s very crowded.

Central (#15 on map) - Known as Hong Kong’s financial district, you’ll find many of the iconic
skyscrapers here. It is also home to Lan Kwai Fong, which is the infamous bar area where most
of the popular bars and clubs can be found. Central is one of the most well-connected areas
in Hong Kong because the airport express, ferries, and plethora of other transportation come
through here. This glamorous area, though convenient, is also one of the most expensive
places for accommodation.

Sheung Wan (#15 on map) - Located just outside of Central to the west, Sheung Wan is
an interesting blend of hipster cafes and boutique shops with local mom and pop shops. It
has a slower pace and laid-back feel making it the ideal place for those looking to get out of
the hustle and bustle of it all. Also, if you want to be close to Central, but don’t want to pay
astronomical prices, consider staying here.

Kowloon
Mong Kok (#14 on map) - Infamous for being the most densely populated place in the world,
Mong Kok is hustling and bustling at all hours of the day. Food heaven? Check. Local and
international brands? Check. Convenient? Check. Reasonably priced accommodation? Check.
If you can put up with the hordes of people, Mong Kok is a fantastic choice.

Yau Ma Tei (#14 on map) - Just north of Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei can give you a peek into
local life yet it’s still just a hop, jump, and skip away from the popular Mong Kok and Tsim Sha
Tsui areas. Many famous local food shops can be found here even though it is stereotypically
known to be home to gangs and triads.

Tsim Sha Tsui (#14 on map) - Kowloon’s shopping mecca, Tsim Sha Tsui is home to Hong
Kong’s largest shopping mall: Harbour City. Take a stroll along Canton Road and you will find
most luxury brands residing here. Aside from shopping, Tsim Sha Tsui has a large variety of
eateries from local shops to internationally known brands. If nothing else, Tsim Sha Tsui offers
second-to-none views of Hong Kong’s iconic skyline. Because of the high number of travellers
staying here, it’s not the best representation of local life and culture but is conveniently
located. Accommodations here will also be expensive compared to the rest of the Kowloon.

7
Things to Pack
Clothes
Please reference our weather guide
above to adjust the type of clothes
suitable for you. As a general tip, pack
clothes that are breathable and light
because of the humidity and at least
a thin cardigan for the abnormally
cold temperatures indoors from air
conditioning. Also very important:
bring comfortable walking shoes. You
will be doing a lot of walking.

Although most places are pretty

casual, if you’re planning on having
afternoon tea at one of the high-end
hotels or going out to a club then
bring nicer shoes and men should
bring long pants.

Travel Adapter
Hong Kong uses the Type-G (pictured
below) so bring a travel adapter as
needed.

Currency
The official currency used in Hong
Kong is Hong Kong Dollars (HKD).
The Hong Kong Dollar is pegged
to the US dollar, which means it
doesn’t fluctuate too much from the
exchange rate of $1USD to $7.8HKD.

8
Book an Outing
If you want the most authentic and memorable Hong Kong experience, but don’t have time or
just couldn’t be bothered to plan your itinerary, then booking an Outing with Sam the Local
is the best way to go. Each of the Outings are private and customized to your interests. No
more language barriers, wasted time being lost, or tourist traps. Simply book an experience
with a local insider based on your interests, they will write you an itinerary according to your
preferences, and take you to see what this city is all about, so that you could have a local friend
telling you stories about the area as you experience this incredible city.

Book now at www.SamtheLocal.com.

9
Printer Friendly

Quick Facts
Official Languages: Chinese (Cantonese/Mandarin) & English
Population: 7.2 million
Currency: Hong Kong Dollars (HKD)
Airport Name: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Climate: Subtropical
Emergency Phone Number: 999

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

The Hong Kong International Airport is one of the busiest yet most efficient airports in the world. It offers free Wi-
Fi, duty free shopping, lounges, an ample variety of food, and even an IMAX theater. For more information, please
visit their website here.

Visa Requirements
Hong Kong allows passport holders from many countries to enter without a visa and stay for 14-180 days, de-
pending on the passport. This includes countries such as USA, Britain, Australia, France, Spain, Germany, Russia,
Italy, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and many more. For a complete list, please visit this website
here and click on Part II to see your visa requirement.

Weather
The weather in Hong Kong is subtropical, and it’s generally hot and humid. The most comfortable months to visit
Hong Kong are from November to April. Typhoon season is from May to November which means the humidity and
chance of rain will be extremely high. The powerful winds of a typhoon make it dangerous to be outside and many
flights get cancelled. You can check the Hong Kong Observatory website for alerts on approaching typhoons.

Geography
Hong Kong is split into 3 different territories: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and New Territories (connects to
China). Hong Kong Island and Kowloon are separated by Victoria Harbour. In these three territories, there are 18
districts.

This will heavily depend on your priorities and budget. As a general rule of thumb, accommodations of the same
level (hostel vs hostel, 5-star hotel vs 5-star hotel) will be more expensive on Hong Kong Island than in Kowloon
or the New Territories. Below are some of our suggested areas to stay in and their pros and cons.

Where should you stay?

Hong Kong Island

Causeway Bay (#18 on map) - Hong Kong Island’s shopping mecca, Causeway Bay is always one of the first
places for new stores and restaurants to open. It’s popular among local people and travellers alike, which also
means it’s very crowded.

Central (#15 on map) - Known as Hong Kong’s financial district, you’ll find many of the iconic skyscrapers here.
It is also home to Lan Kwai Fong, which is the infamous bar area where most of the popular bars and clubs can
be found. Central is one of the most well-connected areas in Hong Kong because the airport express, ferries, and
plethora of other transportation come through here. This glamorous area, though convenient, is also one of the
most expensive places for accommodation.

10
Sheung Wan (#15 on map) - Located just outside of Central to the west, Sheung Wan is an interesting blend of
hipster cafes and boutique shops with local mom and pop shops. It has a slower pace and laid-back feel making
it the ideal place for those looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of it all. Also, if you want to be close to
Central, but don’t want to pay astronomical prices, consider staying here.

Kowloon
Mong Kok (#14 on map) - Infamous for being the most densely populated place in the world, Mong Kok is
hustling and bustling at all hours of the day. Food heaven? Check. Local and international brands? Check.
Convenient? Check. Reasonably priced accommodation? Check. If you can put up with the hordes of people,
Mong Kok is a fantastic choice.

Yau Ma Tei (#14 on map) - Just north of Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei can give you a peek into local life yet it’s still
just a hop, jump, and skip away from the popular Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui areas. Many famous local food
shops can be found here even though it is stereotypically known to be home to the triads.

Tsim Sha Tsui (#14 on map) - Kowloon’s shopping mecca, Tsim Sha Tsui is home to Hong Kong’s largest shopping
mall: Harbour City. Take a stroll along Canton Road and you will find most luxury brands residing here. Aside
from shopping, Tsim Sha Tsui has a large variety of eateries from local shops to internationally known brands.
If nothing else, Tsim Sha Tsui offers second-to-none views of Hong Kong’s iconic skyline. Because of the high
number of travellers staying here, it’s not the best representation of local life and culture but is conveniently
located. Accommodations here will also be expensive compared to the rest of the Kowloon.

Things to pack

Clothes
Please reference our weather guide above to adjust the type of clothes suitable for you. As a general tip, pack
clothes that are breathable and light because of the humidity and at least a thin cardigan for the abnormally cold
temperatures indoor from air conditioning. Also very important: bring comfortable walking shoes. You will be
doing a lot of walking.

Although most places are pretty casual, if you’re planning on having afternoon tea at one of the high-end hotels
or going out to a club then bring nicer shoes and men should bring long pants.

Travel Adapter
Hong Kong uses the Type-G so bring a travel adapter as needed.

Currency
The official currency used in Hong Kong is Hong Kong Dollars (HKD). The Hong Kong Dollar is pegged to the US
dollar, which means it doesn’t fluctuate too much from the exchange rate of $1USD to $7.8HKD.

Book an Outing
If you want the most authentic and memorable Hong Kong experience, but don’t have time or just couldn’t
be bothered to plan your itinerary, then booking an Outing with Sam the Local is the best way to go. Each of
the Outings are private and customized to your interests. No more language barriers, wasted time being lost,
or tourist traps. Simply book an experience with a local insider based on your interests, they will write you an
itinerary according to your preferences, and take you to see what this city is all about, so that you could have a
local friend telling you stories about the area as you experience this incredible city.

Book now at www.SamtheLocal.com.

11