Hong Kong Travel Guide: Travel Preparation

STEP1: Apply for Documents

It is now much more convenient for mainland residents to travel to Hong Kong than before. They no longer need to go through a travel agency. Just go to the Exit-Entry Administration Office of the Public Security Bureau in the city where you have your registered residence to directly apply for the "Pass to and from Hong Kong and Macao" and visa. The procedure is basically the same as applying for a passport. It takes 10 working days from submitting the form to getting the pass. Based on Beijing (it varies slightly from place to place), the cost of a pass plus a round-trip tourist visa is 180 yuan (including photo fees). A separate visa costs RMB 20 per entry, and expedited procedures are available. If you apply for a travel visa, you can only stay for a maximum of 7 days in one entry. If you plan to stay longer, you can apply for two entries at once or find a way to apply for a business visa.

STEP2: Book a room

During my stay in Hong Kong, apart from shopping, probably the biggest expense was accommodation. You can book a room in Hong Kong through a mainland travel agency. There are three-star hotels along Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon MTR line in China. The price of a standard room is 400~500 yuan. This can be three to four hundred yuan cheaper than the retail price in Hong Kong.

STEP3: Choose the way to go

Beijing-Kowloon Railway:

After the Beijing-Kowloon Railway is opened, passengers can take a train from Beijing directly to Hongkan. The T97 train departs from Beijing West Railway Station at 10:30 every morning and arrives at around 11 noon the next day. The fare for a hard sleeper is around 650.

It was a depressing train, like the train to Cassandra Bridge. Each station on the route is separated from the outside world by isolation lines and is closely guarded by police. Passengers are not allowed to go far, and they are not even allowed to get off the bus after dark. It was absolutely impossible to buy anything on the platform, so you had to eat from the crappy food trucks.

Flying

Flying is the fastest and most convenient way to go to Hong Kong. There are flights to Hong Kong from major cities in the mainland. You can buy very cheap discounted tickets during the off-season. .

Passing Luohu Port

When entering and exiting Hong Kong, the most ideal way recommended by the blog is to go to Shenzhen first, and enter and exit Hong Kong from Shenzhen's Luohu Port.

Luohu is the most important entry and exit port from Shenzhen to Hong Kong. It is located next to the Shenzhen Railway Station. There is a pedestrian passage connecting the two buildings, which is very convenient.

The flow of people entering and exiting from Luohu Port is very large every day, and there is usually a long queue to go through the procedures. When there are many people on weekends, the whole process takes about 2-3 hours.

However, the advantage of this method is that the inspection at Luohu Port is relatively loose. It is more convenient to bring a large amount of cash from the mainland to Hong Kong and a large amount of items from Hong Kong back to the mainland. Passing through Luohu is more convenient. If you choose to enter or leave Hong Kong by train or plane, the inspections you will receive are much stricter.

STEP4 Take care of your wallet

Don’t go to Hong Kong without filling your wallet.

First of all, you'd better go to the bank to apply for an international credit card certified by VISA or MasterCard. Although it is easy to exchange RMB and Hong Kong dollars in Hong Kong, because the government stipulates that tourists can only carry up to 6,000 RMB and 5,000 US dollars in cash when traveling to Hong Kong, it is very important for people with crazy purchasing plans to carry international credit cards with them.

The good news is that since 2004, Hong Kong UnionPay Tongbao (JETCO for short) has reached an agreement with China UnionPay Co., Ltd., and bank cards marked with the China UnionPay logo can be purchased through Hong Kong JETCO. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) set up in various streets and alleys in Hong Kong can withdraw Hong Kong dollar cash for consumption. This makes it more convenient.

STEP5 Pack your bags

There are no really cold days in Hong Kong. The coldest days are over ten degrees. A few shirts, a thin sweater and a slightly thicker jacket are enough. .

Besides, it’s no problem if you don’t bring any clothes. You have to buy clothes when you go to Hong Kong! Just bring a large enough trolley suitcase. No? You can also buy them in Hong Kong. The styles and prices are better than those in China.

The voltage in Hong Kong is also 220V, but the plugs are different from those in the mainland. If you’re going to be carrying a lot of electrical appliances with you, it’s a good idea to bring a multi-plug power strip. After arriving in Hong Kong, just buy an adapter plug from an electrical appliance store on the street.

Carry a pen with you and fill out many forms when entering and leaving the country.

Entry Chapter

Customs Declaration Procedures

According to regulations, if you bring electrical appliances, books, audio-visual products and other items that need to pay customs duties when entering the country, as well as RMB and foreign currency cash , you need to go through the customs declaration procedures to avoid unnecessary trouble when returning. Passengers traveling directly to Hong Kong by plane or train must go through customs procedures before boarding the plane or train, and the inspection is strict. It is best to declare truthfully. If during the security check

items and cash are found that exceed the declared content, you may be asked to find a way to take them back, or they may be confiscated. Never let this happen at the boarding gate.

Many people are also very concerned about whether they need to pay high customs duties when buying goods in Hong Kong. According to the policy, you must declare and pay taxes. In fact, the current attitude of the government is to turn a blind eye, as long as you don't go too far. Once discovered, they will be ordered to pay taxes, return shipments, be fined or even confiscated. Those suspected of smuggling are even more troublesome.

Passengers entering through Shenzhen Luohu Port need to prepare a small amount of Hong Kong dollars in advance to buy a train ticket from Luohu to Kowloon. The train fare from Luohu to Hongkan is more than 30 Hong Kong dollars. It is best not to exchange Hong Kong dollars at the exchange shops in Hong Kong train stations because the exchange rate here is higher. Let’s talk about it when we get to Kowloon Hong Kong Island.

In addition, remember to carry a pen with you when entering and leaving the country because you need to fill in various forms.

From the airport to the city center, you can take the Airport Express of the Airport Railway, which stops at Tsing Yi, Kowloon and Central stations. Passengers can transfer to other means of transportation from these three stations to travel to various places in Hong Kong.

Fare: To Tsing Yi, HKD 60; to Kowloon, HKD 90; to Central, HKD 150.

Or take the S21 or S61 bus from the airport to Tung Chung, and then transfer to the MTR, which will make the fare much cheaper.

Taxis are relatively expensive. It costs about HK$300 to Tsim Sha Tsui and about HK$350 to Hong Kong Island.

There are also six airport buses to major hotels in Hong Kong to choose from.

Landing Chapter

Landing Four Steps

Part One: Steady Your Hand

Exchanging currency in Hong Kong is very convenient You can find reliable RMB-Hong Kong dollar exchange shops everywhere on the street, so there is no need to exchange in advance in the mainland.

Don’t exchange too many Hong Kong dollars at one time. If you exchange more than you can spend, you will lose money when you exchange them back for RMB due to the difference between buying and selling. So it’s best to exchange them as you spend, since they are everywhere on the street. Chance.

In fact, except for large shopping malls, most merchants in Hong Kong welcome RMB payment.

In most merchants, VISA and Mastercard can be used.

Part 2: Flex your legs

Exchange the Hong Kong dollars and immediately go to the nearest subway or city rail station ticket office to buy an "Octopus" card. The Octopus card has a minimum deposit of HK$50, which can be continuously recharged according to personal needs. This kind of card is almost universal in Hong Kong. It can be used for payment on any means of transportation except taxis. It can even be used in some supermarkets, which is very convenient. This way you don't have to wait in line to buy a ticket every time you take public transport.

Remember to return the 50 Hong Kong dollars principal of the card when leaving the country.

Part 3: Keep your eyes open

The streets of Hong Kong are super complicated! There are many streets, many intersections, many subway exits, and many streets with the same names! No matter how short or narrow a street is, it still has a name, and it's hard to remember the name. If you are not careful, you may go in the wrong direction. Even Hong Kong locals often cannot figure out the specific directions and routes of some places. Without a detailed map, you can go blind anywhere.

It is recommended to buy a copy of "Hong Kong Atlas" from a nearby bookstore immediately. It costs 99 Hong Kong dollars. It has detailed district maps, bus route descriptions and some tourism, shopping, and dining introductions. Although the price is a bit higher, it is definitely practical!

Part 4: Clear Your Ears

If you have many friends in Hong Kong to contact, it is best to change your mobile phone to a local IP recharge card in Hong Kong, similar to the one in the Mainland Travel to China. You can buy such a card at the nearest 7-11 convenience store, and it only costs 30 cents per minute to make local calls in Hong Kong. But sending text messages in Hong Kong is not cost-effective, because a text message costs 1 yuan in Hong Kong, so Hong Kong people have no habit of sending text messages at all. There are many communication companies in Hong Kong. Whichever card you buy, you have to recharge it with the same company when you recharge it.

The recharge card is valid for 6 months once purchased, but it cannot be returned before leaving like the Octopus.

If you have two mobile phones, you can also use your mainland mobile phone card to communicate with people in the mainland via text messages. It only costs 1 cent per message from a mainland mobile phone to send text messages to the mainland from Hong Kong. This way you can listen to everything.

Leisure Travel

Hong Kong’s Transportation

Hong Kong’s transportation network can be said to be super developed and convenient. Because of this, it is rarely seen in Hong Kong. to traffic jams. Most people take public transportation on weekdays and drive private cars on weekends. The main means of transportation in Hong Kong include the Mass Transit Railway (MTR), Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR), Light Rail (LR), buses, trams, ferries and taxis.

When traveling to Hong Kong, transportation costs are a very large expense. Measured by comprehensive indicators, taking the subway and railway are the most cost-effective. You can rely on them to reach all shopping places and save time. , the price is cheap.

Kowloon-Guangzhou East Railway (KCR)

The Kowloon-Guangzhou East Railway is the part of the Beijing-Kowloon Railway in Hong Kong, running from Hung Kam to Lo Wu. Passengers holding return permits and Chinese visas can go to Luohu Port and head to Sheung Shui as the final stop. The journey takes 30 minutes and runs every 3 to 10 minutes. You can transfer to the MTR at Kowloon Tong Station.

Driving time: 5:30 am to 12:25 am.

Fares: Adult one-way tickets range from HK$4 to $26.

Underground Railroad (MTR)

***There are five lines. When transferring, pay attention to the electronic notice board in the carriage. There are very clear transfer instructions. Take the station.

Driving time: 5:55 am to 1:18 pm, depending on different traffic lanes.

Fares: Adult one-way ticket prices range from HK$4 to HK$26, depending on the journey.

Light Rail

Light Rail is the main transportation force in the northwest New Territories and the main means of transportation in the three towns of Tin Shui Wai, Tuen Mun and Yuen Long. It will be connected to the subway soon.

Bus

Bus is the most widely distributed means of transportation in Hong Kong, and its reach reaches every corner. When you can't reach places by subway or railway, buses play a huge role. But at the same time, the buses in Hong Kong are also very complicated. It may take you some time to figure out the buses and minibuses of different bus companies in Hong Kong, their specific bus schedules, origin and terminal stations, and routes.

Hong Kong’s buses and buses all have a unified price for one route, whether you take the bus from the starting point to the end point, or get off halfway.

And the price is not cheaper than the subway at all, with the highest fare being HK$45.

If nightlife affects your last subway line, you can also choose all-night minibuses. Hong Kong people jokingly call them "crazy minibuses" because most of the drivers take more trips to do business. Increase the driving speed to the highest limit, and passengers will always be on tenterhooks. Because it is a night bus, the fare is very expensive and the same distance is twice as long as the subway.

Hong Kong Tram

Hong Kong’s tram is very distinctive. It runs from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan, surrounds half of Happy Valley Racecourse, and runs horizontally through the entire northern part of Hong Kong Island. The main commercial areas pass through Sheung Wan, Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and other major commercial areas on Hong Kong Island.

Driving time: 6 am to 1 pm.

Fare: HKD 2 for adults, HKD 1 for children and the elderly, regardless of the number of stops, the fare is the same.

Star Ferry

Taking the Star Ferry is more about leisurely viewing the scenery of Victoria Harbor, which is especially beautiful at night.

Routes: (1) Central to Tsim Sha Tsui

(2) Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui

(3) Central to Hungry

(4 ) Wan Chai to Hung

Driving time: 6:30 am to 11:30 pm, depending on the route.

Boat fare: Adult: HKD 2.2 for the upper deck; HKD 1.7 for the lower deck.

Taxi

As for taxis, it is best not to choose them unless you have to, because they are ridiculously expensive, starting at HK$15 for 2 kilometers.

HKD 1.4 for every 0.2 kilometers thereafter. If you need to pass through tunnels or bridges on the way, or if you are carrying large luggage or animals, you will need to pay additional surcharges. Each surcharge is listed in the taxi.

Peak Tram

Victoria Peak is a must-see for almost every tourist visiting Hong Kong. From the top of the mountain, you can have a bird's eye view of Hong Kong. You can take the century-old cable car to get there.

Starting point: Garden Road, Central.

Round trip ticket: HKD 30 for adults, HKD 9 for children.

Shopping

Q1: How to choose your favorite among the dazzling products?

Before departure, make a detailed list of the products and models you want to buy in Hong Kong, and find out the sales prices in the mainland so that you can make comparisons at any time when shopping in Hong Kong. Especially for electronic products, if you buy them in Hong Kong, you will be at a disadvantage in terms of warranty. If the prices are similar, it is better to buy them in the mainland.

Since electronic products update very quickly and have many functions, it is best to make preparations at home, check information online, read professional magazines that introduce cameras, and ask knowledgeable friends. The objects you choose should be as narrow as possible; try to write down the basic product and package configurations so that you have a good idea.

Q2: How to buy products with the lowest price?

When shopping for products, don’t just buy what you like immediately upon impulse. You must walk around and look around, as the prices in each store will vary a lot. Otherwise, no matter how much the loss is, you will not be able to request a return on the grounds that the price is too high! It is best to record the prices of various stores for comparison, and then determine the target and focus on purchasing in the last day or two.

Bargaining shopping is no longer as popular as it used to be. Nowadays it only exists in small shops, vegetable markets and markets, and the prices quoted for electronic products are very high.

Q3: How to identify the authenticity of goods?

Hong Kong’s goods, especially electrical products, are divided into “licensed goods” and “parallel goods”. Goods that have not entered Hong Kong through authorized dealers are "parallel imports". The price is relatively cheap, but they are indeed original goods, and the quality can be guaranteed. Different types of goods and models have different differences in parallel imports. Usually, the price of newly released models has a big difference, and that of old models The difference is relatively small.

Generally speaking, it is not illegal to buy and sell "parallel imports" in Hong Kong, but tourists should understand when purchasing that parallel imports do not have any after-sales service. But for mainland tourists, even the after-sales service of licensed products does not mean much, so parallel imports have become the first choice. Some stores will list prices for parallel imports and licensed products in their windows, while others will list only licensed products. Before purchasing, it is best to ask the store whether parallel imports are available.

Even if the store quotes a parallel import price, there may still be considerable moisture in it. It is best to negotiate the price with the store.

Q4: Should I choose the popular products recommended by the salesperson?

When you decide to buy a product, especially some electrical products, the store often requires you to pay first. Generally, the store does not necessarily have any malicious intent in doing this. They want to pass it off as a good product, but they are just afraid that you will regret it. You have to buy it after paying the money first. But just in case, you still ask the store to see the goods first and then pay.

There is no business without treachery, and the buyer will never be able to outwit the seller. But you still have to be careful of store tricks. When buying electronic products, some stores will display the model you choose and at the same time show another model to compare with the model you choose. They use sweet talk to make you think the products they recommend are particularly good. Usually the products they recommend are 30-50 RMB more expensive than your model. They just hope to sell it at a higher price. If you are tempted but can't make up your mind, stick to your original choice, or simply don't buy anything and go back and do some research. If you are convinced that the model they introduce is worth buying, be careful. They will not tell you the price of this model, they will just tell you how much more expensive it is than your original model, and the difference is the difference before discounts. So you have to continue to bargain on this basis.

Q5: What should I do if the goods I purchased are not what I want?

Generally, goods sold in the Hong Kong market cannot be returned, unless the goods sold have "no salable quality". No matter how large a chain store or reputable store it is, most stores will not accept complaints, requests for returns or refunds from customers after leaving the store.

Q6: Can I still get formal protection when shopping in other places?

Shopping mall deceptions in the shopping paradise are also "mature". Remember to carefully check whether the items you purchase have been correctly packaged. There may be some cosmetics, cameras or electrical appliances stores that will Some cheaper models or defective or expired goods secretly exchange the goods you originally wanted.

Receipts must be obtained for purchases of valuable items. The receipt should list relevant product information, such as the model and part number of audio and electronic equipment, the composition of gems and precious metals inlaid in jewelry and watches, etc.

When purchasing cameras, electronic and computer products, don’t forget to check whether the product is suitable for the mainland’s voltage standards, and read the terms on the warranty carefully. Generally speaking, goods should come with a one-year free international warranty.

Food

Hong Kong is known as a paradise for food. Food ranks ahead of Victoria Harbor, Victoria Peak, shopping, world-class infrastructure and architectural design and other Hong Kong characteristics. The top ten charms of Hong Kong! It is a must-do to come here for a feast.

In addition to the Hong Kong snacks introduced in this book, a food map is recommended to readers.

The six major food districts in Hong Kong

Exotic atmosphere - Lan Kwai Fong and Soho District (SOHO)

The Lan Kwai Fong and Soho Districts near the escalator in Central SOHO district is home to hundreds of restaurants and bars with flavors from all over the world. Here you can find wonderful dishes from all the food kingdoms of the world.

Popular Asian Food - Kowloon City

Kowloon City used to be adjacent to the airport, and many

restaurants were built. Thai restaurants and Chinese restaurants are the most prosperous in the area. Due to its relatively remote location and relatively low prices, it is an important place to taste Hong Kong's popular cuisine.

Seafood Paradise - Sai Kung

Sai Kung used to be a fishing port, but now it has become a concentration camp of Hong Kong seafood stalls. You can eat the freshest seafood here. Lei Yue Mun is a small fishing village on the Kowloon Peninsula. Sok Kwu Wan and Yung Shue Wan, the main bays of Lamma Island, are both famous seafood paradises in Hong Kong.

Fashionable Food - Tsim Sha Tsui

Tsim Sha Tsui is an area with high density of tourists, and restaurants are naturally everywhere. The most trendy delicacies from various countries are popular here. The liveliest place is Knutsford Terrace, a pedestrian road lined with restaurants and bars.

Authentic Hong Kong flavor - Causeway Bay

Causeway Bay is the most famous shopping area on Hong Kong Island, and the large flow of people also lays the foundation for dining. The biggest food focus is "Shitongtian" on the upper floor of Times Square.

Stanley, a romantic resort

Stanley, with the most beautiful sea view in Hong Kong, is the most foreign-oriented and bourgeois place in Hong Kong. Foreigners prefer to gather here to rest, drink and eat. . So there are also many bars here. Of course the price is not cheap either.

Entertainment

Internet access

Internet access is a problem in Hong Kong. Even if you bring a laptop, you cannot dial up the Internet through Hong Kong’s telephone lines because there are no public* ** Internet account, unless the phone in the hotel has applied for this service.

There are Internet cafes on the street, and the price is about 10 Hong Kong dollars per hour. There are also Internet cafes whose prices are based on ordering drinks. These Internet cafes do not have specific time regulations. When there are few customers, the waiters will not disturb you. If If there are many customers, then they will urge you from time to time to add more drinks to continue your time online. What you need to be careful about is that there are some Internet cafes that claim to provide Internet services, but are actually pornographic establishments. If you find out, it is best to leave as soon as possible.

Audio and video books

The large audio and video product stores in Hong Kong include:

HMV: There are four branches in Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Causeway Bay and Shatin

TOWER RECORDS: In Times Square

KPS VIDIO EXPRESS: There are more than 30 branches

Books

You can buy books in Hong Kong that are rare to find in China Hong Kong, Taiwan editions and foreign language books. Especially the exquisite picture albums, the variety is confusing

and the prices are much cheaper than in mainland China.

The larger bookstores in Hong Kong include:

Tiandi Books: Wan Chai, Tsim Sha Tsui and other places;

Joint Publishing: there are nearly 20 chain stores in Hong Kong;

The Commercial Press: There are also many branches, the largest one is on Causeway Road, Causeway Bay

Page One Bookstore: There are Times Square, Century Square, Harbor City, Festival Walk, etc. Four branches;

Contemporary Book Center: Murray Road, China

In Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok and other places, there are many small bookstores, usually on the second floor of shops , so they are collectively called the "Second Floor Bookstore". You can often come across very good discounted books there.

There are many unique bookstores in Hong Kong:

POV Bookstore: The theme is movies and gender. Shop A, 1/F, Heung Kong Building, 37-147 Camelot Road, Wan Chai; next to Broadway Cinema Center, No. H2, Chun Fat Garden, 3 Chung Fong Street, Yau Ma Tei.

KUBRICK: Next to the Broadway Cinematheque in Yau Ma Tei, it is a book bar specializing in selling movie books and posters;

Comic Tea House: 2/F, 69 Argyle Street, Mong Kok; Tel. 852-23811377

East Coast Bookstore: 2nd Floor, 69 Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mong Kok; Tel. 852-21915888

Cinema

It is impossible not to have a cinema in Hong Kong Many, it is the third largest film production place in the world. Cinemas can be seen everywhere in neighborhoods and shopping malls.

The facilities in Hong Kong cinemas are superb. You must take time to watch a movie in Hong Kong, otherwise it will be a pity. Tickets for movies in Hong Kong are very cheap, regardless of whether they are big or small movies. Before 6 pm, the ticket price is usually less than 45 yuan, and after 6 pm, the ticket price is 60 yuan.

Hong Kong’s most luxurious and well-equipped cinema is located in the Royal Fort Building in Causeway Bay.