Travel to Hong Kong

Hong Kong: entry and exit regulations

Formalities, visas

Germans, Austrians and Swiss are allowed to enter the country for a period of 90 days without a visa, but they must be in possession of a passport that is still valid for four months. Anyone traveling to other Asian countries via Hong Kong must show a passport that is valid for at least six months.

If you want to stay longer, you can apply for a visa at the relevant Chinese embassy or the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

Issuing of visas in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Embassy of the PR China in Germany Märkisches Ufer 54 10179 Berlin Tel: 0049 (0) 30-48 83 97 22 Fax: 0049 (0) 30 – 48 83 97 31

Embassy of the PR China in Austria

Metternichgasse 4

1030 Vienna

Tel: 0222-71 31 49 48

Fax: 0222-71 36 816

Embassy of the PR China in Switzerland Kalcheggweg 10 3006 Bern Tel: 031-33 52 73 33 Fax: 031-35 14 573

On site in Hong Kong

Immigration Department

24/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai

Hong Kong

www.immd.gov.hk

Import and export of foreign currency

  • Local currencyThere are no import or export restrictions.
  • Foreign currenciesThere are no import or export restrictions.

Departure fee

In many countries, a fee must be paid when leaving the country.

This fee is in departure from Hong Kong:

80 HK $ and is mostly in the price of the ticket included.

Import and export of goods

The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties.

Visitors are allowed to import the following quantities:

  • 1 liter of alcohol
  • Cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco

Hong Kong: Embassies, Consulates and Tourist Office

Visit Countryaah for a full list of Hong Kong embassies and consulates in each country around the world.

Representations from Hong Kong (China) in Germany

Since Hong Kong belongs to China under international law, Hong Kong does not have its own diplomatic representations in Germany.

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Berlin

Märkisches Ufer 54

10179 Berlin

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 27 58 80

Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 27 58 82 21

Email: de@mofcom.gov.cn

Web: www.china -botschaft.de

German representations in Hong Kong

Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Hong Kong

United Center, 21st floor, 95 Queensway-Central

Hongkong Island

Tel: 00852 – 21 05 87 77

00852 – 21 05 87 88

Fax: 00852 – 28 65 20 33

Email: germancg@netvigator.com

Web: www.hongkong.diplo.de

The German Consulate General in Hong Kong is still responsible for:

  • Macau

Austrian representations in Hong Kong (China)

Austrian Embassy in Beijing

Jian Guo Men Wai, Xiu Shui Nan Jie 5

100600 Beijing

Tel: 0086 – 10 – 653 22 061

0086 – 10 – 653 22 062

Fax: 0086 – 10 – 653 21 505

E-Mail: peking-ob @ bmeia.gv.at

www.aussenministerium.at/peking

Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Austria in Hong Kong

2201 Chinachem Tower, 34-37 Connaught Road

Central Hong Kong

Tel: 00852 – 2522 80 86/-87/-88/-89

Fax: 00852 – 2521 87 73

Email: hongkong-gk@bmaa.gv. at

www.aussenministerium.at/hongkong

Representations from Hong Kong (China) in Austria

Since Hong Kong belongs to China under international law, Hong Kong does not have its own diplomatic representations in Austria.

Embassy of the PR China in Vienna

Metternichgasse 4

1030 Vienna

Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 714 31 49

Fax: 0043 – (0) 1 – 713 68 16

E-Mail: chinaemb_at@mfa.gov.cn

www.chinaembassy.at

Swiss representations in Hong Kong (China)

Swiss Embassy in Beijing

Sanlitun Dongwujie 3

Beijing (Peking) 100 600

Tel: 0086 – 10 – 85 32 88 88

0086 – 10 – 85 32 87 55

Fax: 0086 – 10 – 65 32 43 53

0086 – 10 – 65 32 62 10

E- Mail: bei.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

bei.visa@eda.admin.ch

www.eda.admin.ch/beijing

Consulate General in Hong Kong

Suite 6206-07

Central Plaza

18 Harbor Road

Wanchai, Hong Kong

Tel: 00852 – 25 22 71 47/-48

Fax: 00852 – 28 45 26 19

E-Mail: hon.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

www. eda.admin.ch/hongkong

Representations from Hong Kong (China) in Switzerland

Since Hong Kong belongs to China under international law, Hong Kong does not have its own diplomatic missions in Switzerland.

Embassy of the PR China in Bern

Kalcheggweg 10

3006 Bern

Tel: 0041 – (0) 31 – 352 73 33

0041 – (0) 31 – 351 63 37

Fax: 0041 – (0) 31 – 351 45 73

Email: china-embassy @ bluewin.ch

www.china-embassy.ch

Tourist office

Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Information Center

Citicorp Center (9th-11th Floor)

18 Whitfield Road

North Point

Hong Kong

Tel: 00852 – 28 07 65 43

00852 – 25 08 12 34

Fax: 00852 – 28 06 03 03

Email: info @ discoverhongkong. com – Info@hktb.com

www.hktb.com

www.hktourismboard.com

www.discoverhongkong.com

Hong Kong Tourist Office in Germany Hong Kong Tourism Board

Humboldt-Straße 94

60318 Frankfurt/M.

Tel: 0049 – (0) 69 – 959 12 90

Fax: 0049 – (0) 69 – 597 80 50

Email: frawwo@hktb.com

www.hktb.com

www.discoverhongkong.com/

Hong Kong: hotels, hostels and backpackers

Big hotels

Here at Goruma you can book rooms or even suites in a large number of hotels in the city “online” from home. To do this, click the corresponding button in the banner on the right-hand side of the page. Of course, you will not incur any additional costs with this type of booking. A detailed description of the hotels by the provider – including the prices of the rooms offered – naturally makes it easier to choose the right hotel.

Inexpensive and tourist hotels

The cheaper housing options are Kowloon and the New Territories. But otherwise you can also find many inexpensive tourist hotels, guest houses (especially in Causeway Bay) or holiday camps in the city. A helpful list of government licensed hotels can be found at: www.hadla.gov.hk

Hostels and bakery accommodation

Cheap travelers and backpackers will find an infinite number of almost free accommodations in Hong Kong. These are particularly located in southern Kowloon. You can book in advance (which is more expensive) or just walk down the endless Nathan Road between Mongkok and Tsim Sha Tsui and look for a place to stay that way. Most guest houses are controlled and licensed by the government and are generally very safe, although mostly small and dark. But if you only use the accommodations to sleep, you save a lot of money for other interesting activities in China’s most fascinating city.

The most famous cheap stays in Hong Kong are:

Chungking Mansions

Famous, notorious, bizarre, trivial and mysterious – the structure rising up on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui is known for everything except social normality. Still, Chungking Mansions offer the cheapest accommodations in town. In addition to normal rental apartments, some of these are located on the top floors of the labyrinth-like building complex and offer narrow sleeping spaces with a view of the deepest shafts in the city. In addition to backpackers, the mansions are teeming with stores, shops, dark exchange offices and curry restaurants. The city’s ethnic minorities also gather in the conglomerate of stone and chaos, built in 1961. An absolutely fascinating microcosm!

Mirador Mansions

But also the Mirador Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui are in no way inferior to the Chungking Mansions in terms of chaos and cheapness. But neither the Mirador nor the Chungking Mansions are unsafe, even if they sometimes get this reputation overlooked and – admittedly – also give this impression from the outside.

You can also contact the Hong Kong Youth Hostel Association for inexpensive hostels, which also offers a range of inexpensive accommodations. However, these are more likely to be outside the city center and are not suitable for quick sightseeing.

Hong Kong: Travel Medicine, Vaccinations and Warnings

Infectious Diseases

  • Malaria: There is no risk of malaria in the country.
  • Intestinal infections– from contaminated food or water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation and all kinds of viruses and bacteria.
  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Polio, polio
  • tetanus

Recommended vaccinations

when traveling to Hong Kong are recommended vaccinations against the following diseases:

  • Diphtheria– a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist, also in the home country.
  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Tetanus– a vaccination against tetanus should always exist, also in the home country.

Vaccination requirements There are no vaccination regulations when entering or staying in the country.

Who pays for vaccinations in Germany?

Most children in Germany are vaccinated against a number of infectious diseases at an early age. However, the vaccination protection only lasts up to 10 years, in some cases even shorter. Therefore, before traveling abroad, you should carefully consider against which infectious diseases a vaccination is necessary or useful in the country concerned and whether the vaccination protection, if applicable, was not too long ago.

Most statutory health insurances have been reimbursing the costs for the following vaccinations since June 2007. There is even no 10 € practice fee – but the insured usually have to pay the statutory additional payment, which is 10% of the vaccine price – that is at least 5 € and a maximum of 10 €. Under these conditions, the following vaccinations are free of charge:

  • cholera
  • diphtheria
  • Early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE)
  • Yellow fever
  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Meningococcal meningitis
  • Pneumococci
  • Polyo (polio)
  • Tetanus (tetanus)
  • rabies
  • typhus

Some health insurance companies also reimburse the cost of malaria prophylaxis. As a rule, private health insurance companies (inquire beforehand) also cover the costs mentioned.

Warning notices

Hong Kong is anything but a place of high crime. Even women traveling alone can experience the city at any time of the day or night without any problems. However, it never hurts to use the usual security practices that would be followed in other cities of this size, including in Hong Kong. Luggage and purses should be secured, especially in larger crowds and backpacker accommodations (especially dormitories) in youth hostels.

Should a problem arise, you can dial the emergency number 999.

For the current security situation in Hong Kong, it is best to contact the Federal Foreign Office:

Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany

Citizens’ Service

Telephone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000

Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000

www.auswaertiges- amt.de

Tourist information, city tours

Tourist Information

Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Information Center

Citicorp Center (9th-11th Floor)

18 Whitfield Road

North Point

Hong Kong

Tel: 00852 – 28 07 65 43 (multilingual – also German – tourist information hotline)

Tel: 00852 – 25 08 12 34 (multilingual – also German – visitor

hotline) Fax: 00852 – 28 06 03 03

info@discoverhongkong.com

info@hktb.com

www.hktb.com

www.hktourismboard.com

www.discoverhongkong.com

The best way to discover Hong Kong and its sights is with the help of a professional city guide. You will discover interesting clues, stories, legends as well as buildings and structures. The tours are mostly offered in German and English and are suitable for almost all age groups. Under the following link you will find a provider for the mediation of city tours, city tours, tickets and activities that may be suitable for you:

rent-a-guide.de

Further information on city tours

Walking Tours

Some walking tours of Hong Kong are offered by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. The Heritage and Architectural Walks, which lead through Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, are particularly recommended. The tours last between two and four hours and are accompanied by guides (and audio guides too). But the organizers Gray Line Tours and Splendid Tour and Travel also offer such tours.

Bus

tours The Hong Kong Tourism Board offers many thematically different bus tours. You can choose, for example, between the Heritage Tour, the Come Horseracing Tour, the Morning Tea Tour, the Healthy Living Tour, or the Tai Chi Tour. There is also a Land Between bus tour that takes you to the most scenic areas of Hong Kong’s New Territories. You should reserve at least five hours for these tours.

Individual Tours

You can venture out into the rural areas of the New Territories on designated paths or get to know the forests of Hong Kong Island. Such trails include the MacLehose Trail (100 km), the Hong Kong Trail (50 km) and the 3.5 km long Peak Trail.

Don’t forget a ration of water in the summer months!

Boat

tours Watertours offers numerous harbor and island tours. The departure and arrival points are in Hong Kong Island (Queen’s Pier) and Kowloon (Kowloon Public Pier). You can also opt for Star Ferry. Their boats leave from the Star Ferry Terminals, which are located on both sides of the bank. HKFF Travel Ltd also offers a five hour boat trip to the Outlying Islands. It is deposited at the Ferry Pier in Central.

Other recommended tours

A luxury tram will be mobilized for the Galaxy of Light tour, which can be booked through the recognized operator JTT Tours. This is a night tour in an elegant and old-fashioned tram, during which you can experience Hong Kong at night as you drive past.

For more information, it is best to contact the Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Information Center shown above

Legal notice

We at Goruma only create a link to the company “rent-a-guide” and can therefore not be held liable or recourse for processing a booking – especially since we have no influence on the course of a booking.

But in our experience, “rent-a-guide” is a very serious company that we can recommend with a clear conscience.

Arrival and transport

Getting there

Airplane

Hong Kong has one of the most modern airports in the world, which serves as the gateway for southern China and as a transport hub for Asia. Chek Lap Kok Airport is accordingly frequented and there are correspondingly many flight connections to Hong Kong. The airport opened in 1998 and was designed by the architect Sir Norman Foster. It is famous for its structure and natural lighting.

How to get to Chep Lap Kok Airport:

It is best to take the double-decker bus (no Airport Express, as it costs twice as much) to the airport, costs around HK $ 220 for a one-way trip.

Railway

You can come from mainland China by railway. The journey is likely to be arduous for the normal traveler.

Ferry

You can take the ferry from Macau, the former Portuguese enclave on the other bank of the Pearl River estuary. Fast ferries depart from here and take about 1.5 hours to get there.

Mainland China

From China you can travel by ferry from several cities. However, depending on the distance from the city, the journey can take several days.

Travel within the city

Tip for travel cards

The “Octopus Card” multiple card is ideal (only valid in Hong Kong). There are different amounts to choose from and the recharge is also variable. It is available everywhere, directly at MTR stations, at “7Eleven” or at tourist information offices. It can be recharged and shows the minus amount beforehand. This card can be used almost everywhere, be it for grocery shopping, parking garage fees, at the petrol station as a means of payment or for all means of public transport, it is a convenient alternative.

General note

Eating and drinking is prohibited on all means of public transport and is punished with a fine!

Bus

You can take the bus from the airport to the city or explore the city itself. You should have the travel allowance as appropriate or buy a multiple card that you can reload with a certain amount of money.

It is not recommended to take the small van buses, as they require a command of Cantonese and local knowledge.

Tip for bus tours

The Hong Kong Tourism Board offers many thematically different bus tours. You can choose, for example, between the Heritage Tour, the Come Horseracing Tour, the Morning Tea Tour, the Healthy Living Tour, or the Tai Chi Tour. There is also a Land Between bus tour that takes you to the most scenic areas of Hong Kong’s New Territories. You should reserve at least five hours for these tours

Tram

The ancient double-decker tram is a delight for every tourist. It runs every minute and you can watch the city from a raised seat at the same time. The windows are mostly open so that you can escape the stuffiness of the city with a little wind.

Please pay accordingly (insert a coin) or use the “Octopus Card”.

Tip!!!

A luxury tram will be mobilized for the Galaxy of Light tour, which can be booked through the recognized operator JTT Tours. This is a night tour in an elegant and old-fashioned tram, during which you can experience Hong Kong at night as you drive past. The cost is around HK $ 180.

U-Bahn and Railway

As in any big city, the U-Bahn is one of the most important means of transport, and the railway can also be used to get to the airport and the surrounding area.

Ferry connections

The ferries that connect Hong Kong Island with Kowloon are landmarks of the city and an integral part of the public transport system. A trip across the bay is an absolute must. The offshore islands can also be easily reached by ferry.

Boat tour tip

Watertours offers numerous harbor and island tours that will cost between HK $ 200 and 630. The departure and arrival points are in Hong Kong Island (Queen’s Pier) and Kowloon (Kowloon Public Pier). You can also opt for Star Ferry, which charges HK $ 180 for one crossing. Their boats leave from the Star Ferry Terminals, which are located on both sides of the bank. HKFF Travel Ltd also offers a five hour boat trip to the Outlying Islands. It is deposited at the Ferry Pier in Central. The cost of such a tour is currently around HK $ 320.

Car transport and rental cars

The car is not necessarily the best mode of transport for Hong Kong. The traveler is strongly advised not to rent a car. Traffic is heavy, there is British left-hand traffic and parking fees are horrendous. In order to avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, one should strictly adhere to the traffic regulations in force in the country. The maximum speeds shown can of course be reduced or increased by traffic signs. Regardless of the information given here, it is advisable to obtain detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD or the Hong Kong Traffic Club.

Car traffic and rental cars

The car is not necessarily the best mode of transport for Hong Kong. The traveler is strongly advised not to rent a car. Traffic is heavy, there is British left-hand traffic and parking fees are horrendous. In order to avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, one should strictly adhere to the traffic regulations in force in the country. The maximum speeds shown can of course be reduced or increased by traffic signs. Regardless of the information given here, it is advisable to obtain detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD or the Hong Kong Traffic Club.

Speed

limits Hong Kong has a speed limit of 50 km/h.

Blood alcohol limit

In Hong Kong there is a blood alcohol limit of 0.5 per mille for drivers of motor vehicles.

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, Hong Kong’s international license plate is:

HK

Hong Kong: currency, shopping and exchange rate

The local currency of is the Hong Kong dollar, which is pegged to the US dollar.

US $ 1 is about HK $ 7.8

The following bills are valid and in circulation in the country:

  • HK $ orange
  • HK $ 500 brown
  • HK $ 100 red
  • HK $ 50 purple
  • HK $ 20 blue
  • HK $ 10 green

The following coins are valid and in circulation in the country:

HK $ 10, HK $ 5, HK $ 2, and HK $ 1.

50 cents, 20 cents and 10 cents.

Exchange rate

You can find a currency converter here: www3.forium.de

Bank and shop opening times

Bank opening hours

Monday to Friday: from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday: from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

ATM machines can be found “practically on every corner”!

Shop opening times

daily: 10:30 a.m.

– 6:30 p.m. However, many shopping centers are open until 9:00 p.m. or longer.

Office opening times

Monday – Friday: 9

a.m. – 6 p.m., lunch break from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., lunch break from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Sunday: 9 a.m. – 12:30 pm

Shop

For a long time, Hong Kong was considered the shoppers’ paradise. It still is, but the bargains can no longer be found in all areas. Contrary to popular belief, entertainment electronics are not necessarily cheaper than in Europe. However, if you are looking for clothing, you can shop cheaply in the upper price segment, from top designers as well as from casual wear. The former can be found in the regular boutiques of the corresponding designers. The latter can be found in the markets or in the outlet stores.

In the large and well-known shopping malls, it is advisable to have a TAX Free receipt issued after every purchase. VAT can be refunded on the return journey at the airport. The Global Refund provides all the information. http://www.global-blue.com/en/tax-free-shopping

Hong Kong is still a veritable shoppers’ paradise, thanks to the very low taxes. Japanese tourists in particular plunge into the vast numbers of gigantic shopping centers and the tumult of the numerous markets, where you can buy everything from fresh (almost living) food to inexpensive clothing. The many night markets such as the Ladies’ Market (Mongkok) or the Temple Street Night Market (Kowloon) are also interesting.

It is absolutely advisable to act, especially since you can usually not tell the originals from the forgeries. There is no need to rush to go shopping, as Hong Kong has no closing time laws, so most shops in the tourist areas are open around the clock. Shopping malls will under no circumstances close before 10 p.m. You should make sure that you do not buy so much that the allowance for souvenirs to Germany is exceeded, because then customs are due and the savings are gone.

Here are a few more recommendations as to which shopping centers and markets are really worth seeing.

Harbor City

The gigantic shopping center on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui is one of the most famous shopping centers in the whole city.

Ladies ‘Market

Located in Mongkok, the Ladies’ Market is one of the largest street markets in Hong Kong. Above all, clothing is brought to women there, who can shop there from noon until late in the evening.

Landmark

All the important designers have settled in the Landmark Shopping Mall in Central – from Dior to Louis Vuitton.

Sogo

The Japanese department store in Causeway Bay spreads out over nine floors and brings everything to men and women – from everyday items to textiles.

Times Square

This large and very elegant mall is a gigantic consumer temple in the huge Times Square building. The shops are stacked over nine floors. The best-known piece of furniture is the giant electronic clock, from which the seconds up to the turn of the millennium could also be read on New Year’s Eve in 1999.

Yuen Po Street Bird Garden

The Yuen Po bird garden proves that the breeding and rearing of songbirds in China has an ancient tradition. More than 70 stalls offer everything the bird-loving prison guard needs to take away the meaning of life from his animal in a pleasant way.

Wan Chai Computer Center

You probably won’t save a lot when purchasing technical accessories in Hong Kong, but a visit to the Wan Chai Computer Center is worthwhile if only because the latest technology models in Asia usually come onto the market faster than in Europe. The supplementary products/services, however, are inexpensive, such as sticking a protective film on a mobile phone or laptop, and you can also act here at any time.

Western Market Housed

in a red brick building from 1906, Western Market is located on the east end of Central. There used to be a market here, but in 1991 it reopened as a mall with smaller shops and stalls lined up. However, these are mostly interesting and unique goods that are rarely found in shopping malls.

Travel to Hong Kong