HONG KONG
If you visiting Hong Kong for the first time, the Hong Kong Tourism Board website is very helpful.
If shoppping is your passion you will find Journey Woman useful.
Getting Around:
Hong Kong is geographically compact and boasts one of the world's most efficient, safe, affordable and frequent public transport systems. Whether by taxi, ferry, rail, bus or tram, you can get around easily and catch wonderful glimpses of the city along the way. If you are taking a taxi to a particular place, it is a good idea to get the hotel to write the address in Chinese as some taxi drivers English language skills are fairly basic.
Restaurants:
Hong Kong has a fabulous array of cuisines and is a 'foodies' paradise. From the many different styles of Chinese food to the buzzing bars and restaurants in Lan Kwai Fong and Soho. Most restaurants will levy a 10 per cent service charge but waiters will expect to be given some loose change. Restaurants that don't add a service charge will expect a 10 per cent tip. However, tipping is left to your discretion. Bellboys, porters, restroom attendants and taxi drivers will happily accept loose change.
Health tips
If you fall ill or need medical assistance hotels usually have a doctor available. Most speak good English and the hospital system is very efficient. Over the counter medications are readily available in supermarkets and pharmacies such as Watsons. It is safe to drink tap water in the hotels and bottled water is readily available if preferred.
A Smoke-free Hong Kong:
Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed public places, including restaurants, karaokes, malls and some bars as well as some outdoor areas (public beaches and swimming pools, transport interchanges and outside escalators, etc).