- 1. Do I Need a Visa to Visit Hong Kong?
Visa policy of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is different from that of Mainland China. Hong Kong provides visa exemption to certain certificate owners for any purpose of visiting, and visa/entry permit to citizens (ordinary passport holders) of 170 countries. Otherwise, you need to apply for and get a visa to go to Hong Kong as required. Note: A Chinese Visa is not valid for visiting Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, which are considered as third regions from mainland China. Check Hong Kong Visa Free Countries List & Visa-free Period >>
- 2. How to Get to Hong Kong?
Hong Kong boasting the top busiest international airport among the world serves about 170 routes to overseas cities and regions in other continents, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Sydney, Toronto, Paris, Rome, Tokyo, etc. Every day, more than 1,000 flights take off at Hong Kong International Airport and need within 5 hours to reach half of the world’s population.
Besides, Hong Kong is very well connected with many cities in Mainland China. Travelers can board a flight to reach Hong Kong from Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and other nearly 50 cities. Also, Hong Kong West Kowloon Station creates new way to get there by high speed trains directly from other 44 cities in the Mainland, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Hangzhou, Changsha, etc.
(a)Guangzhou to Hong Kong: Guangzhou launches more than 30 daily G trains every day from Guangzhou South Railway Station to Hong Kong, with a whole riding for only about 1 hour. (b) Shenzhen to Hong Kong: there are about 80 high speed trains depart from Shenzhen North Station and Shenzhen Futian Station there very frequently, which takes only 15-20 minutes to get to Hong Kong Kowloon downtown.
- 3. Travel between Hong Kong and Shenzhen & How to Choose a Checkpoint to Enter
Several best ways are provided to travel between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, including high speed train, metro, coach/bus or private car.
● By high speed train: The most convenient and fastest way to go between. Travelers can take high speed train from Shenzhen Futian Railway Station to Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station or vice versa. Travelers need to be checked your valid documents at Hong Kong West Kowloon Station no matter you leave or enter Hong Kong. The high speed train journey takes only 14 minutes.
● By metro: Travelers can take Hong Kong MTR East Rail Line to arrive at Luo Wu Station. Then, go through the immigration at Luohu Port (06:30-24:00) to enter Shenzhen. It is suitable for independent travelers.
● By coach/bus: There are some cross-border buses serving from Huanggang Port to many stations in Hong Kong, including Wan Chai, Prince Edward, Kam Sheung Road, and Hong Kong International Airport. However, crossing this Huanggang Port by cross-border buses, you need to get off the bus when arrive at the port and go through the clearance procedure with all your luggage and belongings. After your customs clearance, come out from the customs building and get on the bus to Hong Kong.
● By private car: If you go with China Discovery, we’ll normally use Huanggang Port or Shenzhen Bay Port to go through the immigration.
- 4. Group Tour or Private Tour?
Both group tour and private tour are available in Hong Kong. You can choose your way to explore Hong Kong based on your time, interests and budget.
● Group tour: If you take a group tour, it means you’ll be picked up at an assigned place, hop on a big bus, enjoy sightseeing with other travelers and then be sent back at an assigned place. It is fixed with some routes, taking either half day or one full day. It is money-saving!
● Private tour: Going with China Discovery in private way, it means you’ll have your personal drivers and cars and be picked up at your hotel and visit the customizable sites/attractions and be sent back to your hotel. It is very flexible! Compared with group tour, it costs much higher.
If you want to explore Hong Kong with full enjoyment at a budget price, it is a good idea to combine group tour and private tour into “one”. You can choose half day group tour to see the classic sites on Hong Kong Island, or one day group tour to Lantau Island, local featured group to explore Kowloon, and the other time and sites to explore in private way. And if you like, you can see it on your own. For more itineraries design info, please contact our professional travel consultants.
- 5. Useful Travel Tips & What to Prepare
Money & Currency: Hong Kong has its own official currency, called Hong Kong dollar. There are banknotes of HK$10, HK$20, HK$50, HK$100, HK$500, HK$1000, and coins of 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, HK$1, HK$2, HK$5, and HK$10. Usually, the exchange rate is HK$1=USD0.128, HK$1=CNY0.88, HK$1=0.1027GBP. For convenience and better rate, it is suggested to exchange some Hong Kong dollars before you go.
Electricity, Voltage & Sockets: The standard in Hong Kong is 220v, 50Hz. And most hotel bathrooms also have outlets for 100v. Most outlets in Hong Kong are for three-pronged UK-style plugs. A power adapter is suggested to prepare for charging your mobile phones, cameras, tablets, etc. And that can be provided in some hotels or found in some supermarkets.
Languages: Chinese and English are both the official language of Hong Kong. Cantonese, Mandarin and English are all frequently used there. Nearly 90% people there speak Cantonese. However, as some people can speak English, especially many young people. Chinese and English are used for signs and notes (Cantonese, Mandarin and English for voice broadcasting on all MTR and most public buses), it is easy to travel in Hong Kong for a foreign visitor.
- 6. Tips for Where to Stay in Hong Kong
Hong Kong houses an extremely large quantity of accommodation in downtown and suburb areas. Kowloon and Hong Kong Islands offer more options and are largely more chosen by travelers and business visitors. From world top luxury 5-6 star hotels, to average comfortable hotels to budget homestay and cheap hostels and even berths can be found galore, especially at Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Central, Causeway Bay, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Sheung Wan, etc.
For most first-timers to Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui is a top choice, where fabulous view of the Victoria Harbor, many shopping centers and museums are within short distances. Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei are good to savor Hong Kong local culture with famous Ladies Market, Temple Market and a good portion of budget hotels. Causeway Bay offer many reputable accommodations and is favored for shopping and family visitors. To seek the night life and left historical feature from the colonial era, Central should be at the top of your list.
- 7. Do Side Trips from Hong Kong to Macau
Many travelers choose to do one day tour from Hong Kong to Macau by ferry. Macau is a popular tourist destination, where a cluster of eye-pleasing heritage building relics, rich types of flavoring food and snacks, strong atmosphere of traditional China and Western world, etc. can be savored handy. Usually, visitors take a fast ferry from Central or Tsim Sha Tsui to Taipa or Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal to start the one-day exploration to the Ruins of St. Paul Cathedral, Senado Square, Section of Old City Wall, A Ma Temple, and Border of Gate and try some tasting Portuguese and Macao food, such as the Portuguese egg tarts, etc. And then, you can take a ferry back to Hong Kong or fly to your next destination very easily.
- 8. If you want to travel in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area...
China’s Greater Bay Area covers Hong Kong, Macau and nine cities in Guangdong Province (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, and Zhaoqing). Among all the cities and routes, Hong Kong - Macau - Shenzhen - Guangzhou is the most popular way to see all the highlights in the bay area, taking about 8 days.
- 9. To customize your Hong Kong Tour
Different people come to Hong Kong for different reasons. No matter you are businesspersons, family with kids, foodies, layover transiting, Hong Kong has something to offer. To travel beyond Hong Kong, you can head to Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Shanghai, Xian, Beijing and other destinations in China. Please feel free to tell us any idea you are thinking about, and our professional travel expert from China Discovery will help you plan your Hong Kong China trip with sincerity and rich experience and knowledge!