Hong Kong
About Hong Kong
Hong Kong is Asia’s World City and a major gateway to the Chinese Mainland. Strategically located at the heart of Asia, Hong Kong has built a reputation as a regional business hub and a natural gateway bridging East and West. The city is made up of Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories (where CUHK is located), including 261 outlying islands. Between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula lies Victoria Harbour, one of the world’s most renowned deep-water harbours. Hong Kong has more than 7 million inhabitants in just 1,000 square kilometres, making it one of the most densely populated places on the planet.
A dazzlingly contemporary city with legendary history and culture, vast protected natural parks, and mouth-watering cuisine, Hong Kong has an endless list of reasons to visit. Contrasts abound in the former British colony, and a fusion of ancient Chinese tradition, Western influence, and modernity gives the city its unique personality.
Consult the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s website for recommendations on local attractions, activities, and restaurants.
General Information
Time Zone
The time zone in Hong Kong is GMT+8.
Distance
Distances in Hong Kong are given in km. 1 km is approximately equal to 0.6214 miles.
Weather
In general, Hong Kong’s climate is subtropical, with a mix of hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters. By May, Hong Kong starts transitioning into its summer season, bringing warmer temperatures, increased humidity, and frequent rainfall.
Hong Kong weather in May: Average temperatures typically reach around 29°C (84°F) during the daytime and around 24-25°C (75°F) at night. The humidity is high, averaging around 80%, often making the temperature feel even warmer.
Water
In Hong Kong, tap water is generally considered safe to drink as it meets the World Health Organization’s standards. However, most locals and travellers prefer boiled, filtered, or bottled water due to potential concerns over older plumbing in certain buildings. Many hotels offer bottled water and kettles in the room for travellers.
Transportation
Hong Kong has an efficient, convenient, and diversified public transport system, including railways, buses, mini-buses, trams, taxis, and ferries, providing affordable, safe, and reliable services to the public. One of the most common ways for travellers to get around Hong Kong is by MTR (Mass Transit Railway), the city’s metro system.
Electricity
The standard electrical voltage in Hong Kong is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Most hotel bathrooms also have outlets for 100 volts, but if not, you will need a transformer for any appliance or electrical equipment. The majority of electrical outlets in Hong Kong take a three-pronged UK-style plug.
Entry to Hong Kong
Visitors of all nationalities to Hong Kong must travel with their passport and it must be valid for at least one month following your stay in the city. Nationals of most countries do not require a visa to enter Hong Kong for tourism and can stay for periods varying from seven to 180 days, depending on nationality.
Please visit here to see if you may need to apply for a visa. Should you need one, please start your application at least two months before your departure to allow enough time for the administrative processes and observe the visa application requirements here. A letter of invitation to support your application is available upon request during registration.
The Hong Kong Immigration Department has introduced electronic services for visa applications in phases to allow applicants to complete the entire process of visa-related applications online. Please visit this website for more details.
IMPORTANT: The entry arrangements for Hong Kong are different from those for the Chinese Mainland. You will need a separate visa if you plan on travelling to the Chinese Mainland during this trip. Please consult your local Chinese Embassy on the requirements.
Language and Culture
Language
Chinese and English are the official languages of Hong Kong. English is widely used in official settings, especially in business and government.
While Cantonese is the predominant dialect spoken in daily life, Putonghua (Mandarin) is increasingly common, with a growing number of residents now fluent in the language.
Tipping
In Hong Kong, tipping is not customary, as a 10% service charge is often included in bills at hotels and restaurants. If a service charge is not added, leaving a small tip is appreciated but not expected.
In more casual dining settings, such as small local restaurants or cafes, tipping is not common practice, and change is generally given back in full.
Money
Currency and Electronic Payment
The official currency of Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD/HK$) which is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of about HK$7.80 to US$1, although exchange rates may fluctuate slightly. There are banknotes to the value of HK$10, HK$20, HK$50, HK$100, HK$500, and HK$1,000 (not commonly used or accepted by taxis and shops) and coins worth HK$1, HK$2, HK$5, and HK$10, as well as 10, 20, and 50 cents.
While coins are issued by the Government of Hong Kong, banknotes are issued by three commercial banks, namely HSBC, Bank of China (Hong Kong), and Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong). Hence, there are different designs of banknotes. For more information, please refer to this page.
The use of credit cards in Hong Kong is widespread (e.g. American Express, VISA and MasterCard). They can be used at most restaurants and attractions, except for some smaller shops and places to eat. Electronic payments such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and Octopus card are also widely accepted. However, most taxis take cash only so it is always advisable to carry some cash.
ATMs can be found almost everywhere. Many take international cards and some HSBC “Electronic Money” machines provide 24-hour cash withdrawal (HK$) facilities for Visa and MasterCard holders.
Emergency and Safety
Emergency
In emergency situations in Hong Kong, you can contact local police, ambulance services, the fire department, and other emergency services by calling 999.
If you need to see a doctor, it’s recommended to contact your hotel’s concierge, who can guide you to nearby medical professionals. For example, the CUHK Medical Centre, with a 24-hour Emergency Medicine Centre, is located right across from the AGM Hotel (Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin).
Safety
While violent crime is rare in Hong Kong, pickpocketing and petty theft can still occur. Be especially cautious with your passport, credit cards, and cash in crowded areas and when checking in or out of hotels.
Note: This is a guide only. WUN strongly recommends you review the travel advice provided by the local authorities.
WUN AGM 2025
