General Travel Tips
Climate
Hong Kong enjoys a tropical climate which makes it an all-year-round destination. However, if the hot humid weather is not to your liking then aim to visit between Mid September and and the end of February when the weather is milder and more pleasant. Typhoons arise in the South China Seas during autumn and may come close to Hong Kong. The Observatory posts Typhoon Warnings if Hong Kong is in the path of one - but don't worry, buildings are designed to withstand typhoons so all it will mean is a stay indoors and then some good tales to tell afterwards!
Between May and September it is quite warm and humid - nearly 80% of the annual rainfall occurs in this period.
For detailed weather information see : Hong Kong Observatory website .
Where To Stay
Hong Kong is compact, so visitors are never too far from shopping and major sights. Hong Kong also has an excellent public transportation system so visitors can easily reach other areas, no matter where they stay. The costs of this efficient system are very low, even taxis, making it very affordable to get about. Signs are all in both Chinese and English so there's no problem in navigating around the city.
It is a good idea to carry the name of your hotel printed in Chinese for taxi drivers - sometimes the Chinese name is not a direct translation of the English, which also applies to street names, so this can be an invaluable tip to help you get back to your hotel from a day of shopping and sightseeing. English is spoken widely, especially in shops and restaurants so you shouldn't find any problems.
Aside from hotels located in the heart of the city, in Central, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island, Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui East in Kowloon are fast becoming tourist hotel areas. There are also a growing number of resort-style hotels in the New Territories that offer relaxing alternatives. See our hotel section for some suggested hotels.
Hong Kong electrical sockets and the same as in England - the voltage is also 220v so you can use your electrical appliances without any problems. Additionally, most hotels will have connections to the internet from a network socket in your room so you can connect up your laptop or PDA and send & receive emails or use the internet as you would at home. Charging is time-based and added to your hotel bill.
Time Zone
Hong Kong is GMT + 8 hours and does not operate Daylight Savings.