Travelers from most western and Asian countries do not need a visa to enter Hong Kong. The length of stay, however, varies from country to country. Citizens of the European Union, Australians and Americans are able to stay in Hong Kong for about 90 days. Citizens of Eastern European, Asian and Middle Eastern countries can remain in Hong Kong for about 30 or 14 days. Citizens of some Asian and African countries are required to have a pre-approved visa to get into Hong Kong.
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Hong Kong’s climate is seasonal. Winter is in January and in February. A typical winter’s day is cool and a light jacket is often needed. But sometimes it gets cold and a heavier jacket is needed. In Spring (March, April, May) temperatures are mild and it is often cloudy. During the summertime (June to September), it is very hot and very wet. Autumn is nice with a low level of humidity.
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Geography
Hong Kong is made of a peninsula and a group of small islands, which are covering about 1000 square kilometers. It is located in Eastern Asia and it is bordering China and the South China Sea. Hong Kong can be divided into three parts: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories.
Hong Kong Island is home to the financial and administrative centre. The Kowloon peninsula is home to the majority of people living in Hong Kong. The New Territories comprises the rest of Hong Kong’s land and it is made of new towns, picnic areas and beaches.
Economy
In recent years, Hong Kong’s economy has grown strongly. Its GDP per Capita in 2008 was estimated at around US$ 43,800 or HK$ 337,260; Hong Kong’s economy depends mostly on: International Trade, Finance, Services and Tourism.
International Trade
International Trade is a very important part of the Hong Kong economy with Mainland China being Hong Kong’s largest trading partners.
Finance
Hong Kong is without any hesitation the premier Stock Market for Chinese firms wanting to get listed abroad. Mainland Chinese Firms now account for 1/3 of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and represents about 60% of the market’s capitalization.
Services
Hong Kong is highly dependent on its service industry, which comprises of travel and tourism, trade related services, shipping, banking services and civil aviation. It is important to notice that the service industry accounts for more than 90% of Hong Kong’s GDP.
Tourism
Tourism contributes a significant portion of Hong Kong’s GDP. With China decision’s to ease travel restrictions for its citizens wanting to visit Hong Kong, the tourism industry has literally exploded. In 2008, 16.9 million Mainland Chinese visited Hong Kong compared to 3.8 million in 2000.
Government & Politics
Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China with its own law, capitalist system and lifestyle. The structure of Hong Kong’s government can be found in “The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” which follows a set of agreements between Britain and China prior to 1997. The core of these agreements can be summarized as the following sentence: “one country, two systems” which means that until 2047, China agrees to maintain Hong Kong’s capitalist system, judicial and legislative power as it was prior to the handover. The Beijing government is mostly responsible for Hong Kong ‘s defense and foreign affairs.
The head of the Hong Kong’s government is the Chief Executive (CE). Its cabinet is made of secretaries from various departments who report to the CE. The legislative branch of the government is responsible for enacting laws, approving budgets and monitoring the work of the government. The current CE is Sir Donald Tsang.
Population
As of July 2009, the Hong Kong population was estimated to be around 7,055,071.
National Flag
Hong Kong’s national flag depicts the Bauhinia on a red background. Each morning at 8:00 the flag is raised by 5 police officers. The national flag can be seen outside of many government buildings.
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Many large cities have skyscrapers that offer a view from the top. Hong Kong, as it so often does, takes a slightly different route and gives visitors Victoria Peak.
At 552m the Peak is higher than any existing skyscraper. From that height, visitors can look down on the lush, green mountainside and around at some of the $10 million homes that get to enjoy the view every day. Looking from there, tourists can see Victoria Harbor – one of the world’s most active ports.
The mountainside is alive with tropical vegetation thanks to the hot, humid summers and the cooling sea breezes of the area.
Though none of these houses offer tours, some angles offer a glimpse of homes that show how Hong Kong’s wealthiest residents live. Many homeowners here are entrepreneurs who made their fortunes in Hong Kong after starting out as poor residents of Canton and other parts of mainland China.
Looking down, you can get an expansive view of the ancient harbor and the ultra-modern city. Victoria Harbor is one of the deepest in the world, only one of the many natural attributes that has been used to good advantage by Hong Kong’s enterprising businessmen.
The port is always buzzing with the arrival and departure of ships that carry goods and passengers to and from China to every port on the globe. Ships of every national registry, both cargo and cruise, make it to Hong Kong regularly.
Using a pair of binoculars, you will be able to take a look at some of the many boat families that still populate Hong Kong’s wharves near the area where the ships dock. Here, as they have for over 200 years, fishermen and their families ply their trade in some of the toughest circumstances.
But to see all this, first you have to get there. Visitors have several choices, including bus and tram.
The bus is decidedly less crowded. This route has the added ‘benefit’ that you won’t feel the need for a rollercoaster ride again anytime soon.
Most, for good reason, take the tram up. This railway is among the world’s steepest and most scenic rides in Asia. Though the term may be unfamiliar, almost everyone has seen one in person or at the movies. It’s a long, suspended-cable system in which cabs go up and down the mountain in tandem. The weight of one cab coming down helps pull the one going up.
Lines can be long so be prepared. But the wait is well worth it, as you can get another spectacular view of the harbor looking down and of the mountain looking up. This is one ride you will definitely want to take at least twice – once during the day, and again at night.
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