The Hong Kong Business Travel Guide provides business travellers with a range of valuable travel resources to assist them. The guide contains visa information, facts on Hong Kong, business customs, useful tips and other resources. An understanding and appreciation of other cultures, languages, customs and etiquette can be of great importance to business travellers and give a real advantage to ensuring a successful business trip.
Hong Kong is located off the southern coast of mainland China, it is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China. Once a British colony Hong Kong was handed back to China back in 1997; it has an advanced and developed economy with a number of business opportunities. It is one of the world's foremost financial centres and among the most densely populated places in the world.
It is regarded as a world/global city and ranks highly under the Human Development Index, international rankings for economic and financial competitiveness and one of the highest per captia incomes in the world. Hong Kong includes the Kowloon peninsula and hundreds of smaller islands; in the north is the Chinese city of Shenzhen and in the west, east and south is the South China Sea.
The area includes mountainous and hilly areas with country parks and nature reserves. Famous attractions Victoria Peak, Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, Temple Street Night Market, Ladies' Market, Clock Tower, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong Space Museum and Hong Kong Museum of Art.
Hong Kong Guide
Quick Facts on Hong Kong
Hong Kong Travel Advice
Visa Requirements
Business Customs and Etiquette
Travel Advice and Tips
Public Holidays
Hong Kong Map
Hong Kong Weather & Climate
Quick Facts on Hong Kong
Country: Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China)
Capital: Hong Kong
Currency: Hong Kong dollar (1 dollar = 100 cents)
Population: 7.2 Million (UN, 2012)
Area total: 1,100 sq km
Languages: Cantonese, English
Time Zone: GMT +8
Electricity: 220V 50Hz
Dialling Code: 852
GDP: USD 274 billion (World Bank, 2013)
Religion: Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism with smaller Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Jewish minorities.
Political System: Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
Internet Domain: .hk
Hong Kong Travel Advice
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office offers travellers useful advice when travelling to Hong Kong. You can find further information on entry requirements for Hong Kong, advice on local laws and customs, health considerations, tips on safety and security and the address and contact details of the British Embassy in Hong Kong. The information is updated regularly making it a good reference point when looking for the latest travel advice and information on Hong Kong for both business and leisure travellers. For more information please see: Hong Kong Travel Advice
Visa Requirements
No visa requirement for UK nationals, EU, citizens of Canada and USA and many other countries world wide, for short term visits. Visa requirements are subject to change with changes in requirements and rules for further information please see: China Embassy UK
Business Customs and Etiquette
Business meetings should be arranged in advance, business dress is conservative with suit the norm. The usual greeting is with a handshake, business cards are exchanged afterwards. Business cards are extensively used in Hong Kong and it is wise to go with a plentiful supply of them. Business cards should be offered and received with both hands. When receiving one it should be politely looked at first rather than just put away with is considered impolite.
People are addressed with their titles and family names. Trust is important to build up when doing business here, with can take time to build up. Business lunches are a popular way of doing business, many business people in Hong Kong speak English, interpreters are available should they be required.
Travel Advice and Tips
The majority of trips to Hong Kong for both business visitors and tourists are likely to pleasant and incident free, Hong Kong is a relatively safe place for visitors. You should however beware of pick pockets especially in busy and crowded areas. Avoid isolated areas and beware of spiked drinks, do not leave your drink unattended at any time. Ensure valuables are not on show and are put away.
Travel Checklist: See our Travellers Checklist containing useful tips and reminders to ensure you have everything you will need on your trip.
Travel Vaccinations: It is recommended you check with your GP for any travel vaccinations you may require, up to eight weeks before you travel. For more information and advice on travel vaccinations please see the NHS Fit for Travel website.
Tipping: If service charge is not included usually around 10%. Taxi drivers do not usually expect a tip, the fare is usually paid when rounded up.
Hours of Business:
For Businesses:
09.00 to 17.00 Monday to Friday
09.00 to 12.30 Saturdays
For Shops:
08.00/09.00 to 21.00 Monday to Sunday
For Banks:
09.00 to 17.00 Monday to Friday
09.00 to 13.00 Saturdays (for some banks only)
NOTE: Some shops are open 7 days a week.
Public Holidays
Public Holidays (2015):
January 1: New Year's Day Holiday
February 19: Chinese (Lunar) New Year
April 3: Good Friday
April 5: Ching Ming Festival
April 6: Easter Monday
May 1: Labour Day
May 25: Lord Buddha's Birthday
June 20: Tuen Ng (Dragon Boat) Festival
July 1: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
September 27: Mid-Autumn Festival
October 1: National Day
October 21: Chung Yeung Festival
December 25: Christmas Day
December 26: Boxing Day
Hong Kong Map
Map of Hong Kong
View Larger Map
Hong Kong Weather & Climate
Hong Kong's location means it has a subtropical climate characterised by four seasons and a climate that is influenced by monsoons. Spring time in Hong Kong is from February to April, it is usually quite humid and warm; summer time includes an increase in humidity and higher temperatures; heavy rains can occur from June to September. Autumn time in Hong Kong offers visitors a pleasant time to visit with pleasant temperatures and a fall in humidity compared to the sometimes stifling heat and humidity of the summer. Hong Kong enjoys a pleasant climate for most of the year ensuring it is a destination that can be visited throughout the year.
Lightweight cotton and linen clothing can be warn in the summer months; can get very hot in summer, plenty of hydration, sunscreen and sun hat are needed. Additional layers and warmer clothing is required during the autumn and winter months.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
