There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Hong Kong each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Day (national) January or February: Chinese New Year (national)For three days, celebrations involve merrymaking and entertainment of many kinds, both at home with family members and outside in the streets: firecrackers to ward off evil spirits and demons, fireworks, etc. No effort is spared to celebrate the start of the new lunar year in style.
February or March: Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao Jie, national)Colourful paper lanterns line the streets of Hong Kong and throughout China on this day. Children and adults parade through the city carrying long bamboo poles hung with smaller lanterns.
May 1 : Labour Day (national) August – seventh day of the seventh lunar month : Double seventh festival (Qixi, national)Also known as the Chinese Valentine's Day, this romantic tradition has been celebrated in China for centuries, from the time when young, single women prayed for a husband. The name of the festival refers to the seventh daughter of the Jade Emperor, a weaving maid, who was only allowed by her father to see her beloved once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Gifts of bouquets of flowers or chocolates, special dates, romantic dinners, and dance parties are among the celebrations during this day, highly anticipated by all single people in Hong Kong.
September or October – Fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month : Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhongqiu Jie, national)Also known as the Moon Festival, this is the day in the year when the moon is particularly round and bright, a symbol of unity and familial happiness. The main feature of this traditional celebration is the sharing of cakes with family and friends.
December 25 : Christmas (national holiday)| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14/57 | 19/66 | 25/1.0 | Not the best period to go |
| February | 15/59 | 19/66 | 54/2.1 | Not the best period to go |
| March | 17/63 | 21/70 | 82/3.2 | Not the best period to go |
| April | 20/68 | 25/77 | 175/6.9 | Not the best period to go |
| May | 24/75 | 28/82 | 304/12.0 | Not the best period to go |
| June | 26/79 | 30/86 | 456/18.0 | Not the best period to go |
| July | 27/81 | 31/88 | 376/14.8 | Not the best period to go |
| August | 27/81 | 31/88 | 432/17.0 | Not the best period to go |
| September | 26/79 | 30/86 | 327/12.9 | Good period to go
|
| October | 24/75 | 28/82 | 100/3.9 | Good period to go
|
| November | 20/68 | 24/75 | 38/1.5 | Good period to go
|
| December | 16/61 | 20/68 | 27/1.1 | Good period to go
|
The Hong Kong International Airport is located about 34 kilometres (21 miles) north-west of Hong Kong Island.
Hong Kong covers quite a large area. And yet, getting around the city is easy and enjoyable, due to its highly developed, affordable, efficient and convenient public transport system.
The city has two ultra-modern rail systems. The MTR (Mass Transit Railway) is the city's underground train system, comprising four lines serving all the main urban districts. The system is easy to use (all signs are in English), clean, air-conditioned and safe. It operates from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. The KCR (Kowloon-Canton Railway) is Hong Kong's main suburban rail system, also serving more distant points in mainland China.
Useful tip: the prepaid and reloadable Octopus Card can be used for travel on all modes of transport in the territory. Before you leave Hong Kong, you can cash in your Octopus Card and receive your remaining balance. The initial stored value for adults is HKD 55.
Many bus lines operate in Hong Kong, serving all tourist destinations. They run from 6 a.m. to midnight. Fares depend on the distance travelled, starting at about HKD 10.60.
Hong Kong's double-decker trams, a holdover from the territory's time as a British colony, operate over 13 kilometres (8 miles) of track between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan, running every day between 6 a.m. and midnight. No matter how far you travel, each tram ride costs HKD 2.60. A 4-day pass is also available for HKD 34.
In contrast to many other cities, taxis are not expensive in Hong Kong. A colour-coding system is used to distinguish taxis serving different areas and destinations:
Upon your arrival in Hong Kong, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.
Hong Kong Tourism BoardOffers practical information and many useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
At various locations throughout the city, the Hong Kong Tourism Board operates centres where you can obtain information and recommendations for your stay in Hong Kong. Listed below are the main addresses for the HKTB's visitor information centres :
The official website of the China National Tourist Office (CNTO) provides a wealth of information on Hong Kong.
Website: www.cnto.org
See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Hong Kong counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
Except for citizens and nationals of certain countries, a visa is required to enter and stay in Hong Kong.
For further information, visit the website of the Hong Kong Immigration Department: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Hong Kong, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Here are a few basic Chinese phrases that will make your stay in Hong Kong a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Nǐ hǎo
Good evening: Wǎnshàng hǎo
Goodbye: Zàijiàn
Yes: Shì
No: Bùshì
No, thank you: Bù, xièxiè
Thank you very much: Fēicháng gǎnxiè
Please: Qǐng
I don't understand: Wǒ bù míngbái
Could you repeat ?: Máfan nín zài chóngfù yībiàn
What time is it ?: Qǐngwèn xiànzài jǐ diǎn ?
Sorry / Excuse me: Bù hǎoyìsi
Airport: Jīchǎng
Train station: Huǒchē zhàn
Taxi: Jìchéngchē
Hotel: Jiǔdiàn
Hospital: Yīyuàn
Bank: Yínháng
Telephone: Diànhuà
I'm (…): Wǒ shì (…).
I'm looking for (…): Wǒ zhǎo (…).
How much is (…)?: Qǐngwèn duōshǎo qián (…) ?
Do you have (…)?: Qǐngwèn nín yǒu ma (…) ?
Where can I find (…)?: Qǐngwèn nǎlǐ kěyǐ zhǎodào (…) ?
Where can I buy (…)?: Qǐngwèn nǎlǐ kěyǐ mǎi dào (...) ?
I'd like (…): Wǒ xīwàng (…).
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Hong Kong's restaurants and cafés. On the other hand, it is quite common to thank tour guides and drivers by offering a small gratuity. Of course, the amount you choose to give is entirely up to you.
