Sightseeing Historical landmarks – The Great Wall of China, Beijing’s Forbidden City, Xian’s Terracotta Army, palaces, temples, museums, gardens, parks, stone forests and archaeological sites.
Accommodation
Superior to medium class city centre hotels.
Family activities
Zoos and parks.
Shopping
What you can buy – Electronics, optical goods, silk, antiques, arts and crafts, clothes, furniture, watches, jewellery and leather goods. Where you can buy – Shopping malls, department stores, boutiques, street and night markets.
Entertainment
Variety of nightlife – restaurants, karaoke bars, pubs and discothèques; traditional entertainment, Chinese opera and acrobatic arts.
Sports and leisure
Golf, hiking and tai chi.
Hong Kong Sale (July – September and December – February); Shanghai Music Festival (May); Shanghai Formula One Grand Prix (April); Hong Kong Cricket Sixes (November); Hong Kong Rugby Sevens (March).
Visas:
Hong Kong
Visitors from most countries can enter Hong Kong without a visa for a period of stay ranging from seven days to six months, depending on their nationality. However, on arrival, visitors may have to provide evidence to the immigration officers that they have adequate funds for their stay in Hong Kong without work and possess an onward or return air ticket.
Mainland China
Visas are required by all nationalities visiting mainland China.
Health requirements:
Hong Kong
No compulsory vaccinations are required for Hong Kong. However, it is advisable to check with the local Chinese Embassy for current health regulations.
Mainland China
For mainland China, yellow fever vaccination is compulsory for travellers arriving from infected areas. Recommended vaccinations are diphtheria, tuberculosis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Japanese B encephalitis, polio, tetanus and typhoid. Precautions against malaria are also recommended.
Travel insurance:
Adequate holiday and travel insurance is vital. Emirates Holidays offers a comprehensive insurance package to enable you and your family to travel with peace of mind. Please contact your nearest Emirates Holidays office or your travel agent for details of our HolidayGuard Travel Insurance cover
Currency:
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) and cents.
Notes in denominations of HKD1, 000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10.
Coins in denominations of HKD10, 5, 2 and 1 and 50, 20 and 10 cents.
Approximate exchange rate:
AED1 = HKD2.12
EUR1 = HKD11.61
USD1 = HKD7.87
Please check the rate of exchange prior to travel.
Mainland China
On mainland China, the currency is Ren Min Bi Yuan (CNY).
CNY1 = 100 fen or 10 jiao.
Notes in denominations of CNY100, 50, 10, 5, 2 and 1.
Coins in denominations of 100, 50, 10, 5, 2 and 1 fen.
Approximate exchange rate:
AED1 = CNY1.98
EUR1 = CNY10.66
USD1 = CNY7.34
Please check the rate of exchange prior to travel.
Banking hours -
0900 to 1630 hours, Monday - Friday,
0900 to 1230 hours, Saturday.
All banks are closed on Sundays and public holidays.
In Hong Kong, there is no restriction on the import of local and foreign currency.
However, in mainland China, cash amounts in excess of USD5,000 or equivalent in any other foreign currency must be declared at customs.
On departure from China, outbound customs will release the remaining foreign currency after an examination of the declaration form issued by customs upon entry. The export of local currency from mainland China is prohibited.
All banks and hotels offer currency exchange. In mainland China, travellers can exchange currency at any of the several international banks. You can also find money changers in major retail outlets throughout Hong Kong city.
All major credit cards are accepted in most shops and department stores. Automated teller machines (ATMs) can be found almost everywhere in Hong Kong and Shanghai. American Express card holders have access to Jetco ATMs and can withdraw local currency at the Express Cash ATMs in the city. Travellers cheques issued in any major currency can be converted at banks and exchange outlets.
Clothing:
Lightweight clothing is recommended for summer and light woollens for winter. On mainland China, in the north, heavyweight clothing with boots and a hat are necessary during the winter. Travellers are advised to carry raincoats or umbrellas during the rainy season.
Airport information:
Hong Kong - Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok is 36 kilometres from Kowloon city centre and 39 kilometres from Hong Kong Island. In addition to road transfers, the Airport Express train service is an efficient means of transport, departing from the airport every 10 minutes. The train stops at Kowloon Station and Hong Kong Station (on Hong Kong Island) and has plenty of room for luggage. The airport telephone number is 02 2181 8888.
Shanghai - Pudong International Airport in Shanghai is located on the southern coast of the mouth of the Yangtze River, 30 kilometres from central Shanghai and 40 kilometres from Hong Qiao International Airport. The airport telephone number is 021 6834 1000 and Emirates airline’s telephone number is 021 6289 6969.
Hong Qiao International Airport in Shanghai is located 13 kilometres south-west of Shanghai city centre. It is mainly used for domestic flights. The airport telephone number is 021 6268 8899. Taxi and road transfers are readily available from both airports.
Beijing - Beijing Capital International Airport is located north-east of Beijing and is 26 kilometres away from Tiananmen Square, the centre of Beijing city. The airport telephone number is 010 6456 3220/4247.
Guangzhou - Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is located on the border of the northern Renhe Town, Baiyun District, and the eastern Xinhua Town, Huadu District. It is about 28 kilometres from the airport to downtown Guangzhou. The airport telephone number is +86 20 8613 7273.
Customs:
Duty free allowance for persons 18 years of age and above: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco; one litre of wine or spirits and a reasonable amount of cosmetics for personal use. On mainland China, the duty free allowance is 400 cigarettes and two litres of alcoholic beverages.
• The import and export of narcotics and certain medical drugs is prohibited.
• Carrying of arms and ammunitions, fireworks, nuclear material, ivory products, textiles, animals and plants, game, meat and poultry is governed by strict regulations.
• Firearms must be declared on arrival and handed into custody until departure.
• The import of radio transmitters/ receivers and exposed, but undeveloped film is prohibited in mainland China.
Departure tax:
Hong Kong
A departure tax of HKD50 per person for international departures from Hong Kong is applicable for persons over the age of 12 years. This is either included in the airfare or will be collected at the check-in counters. Departure tax is waived for passengers who arrive in Hong Kong and leave on the same day.
Mainland China
From mainland China, a departure tax of CNY50 is applicable for domestic departures and CNY90 for all international departures. This tax must be paid at the point of departure and cannot be pre-paid with the airline ticket cost.
Driving licence:
Hong Kong
Visitors with a valid overseas driving licence can drive in Hong Kong for a maximum period of 12 months, provided they have third party motor vehicle insurance. However, an International Driving Permit is also recommended. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road. Minimum driving age is 18 years.
Mainland China
Tourists are not permitted to drive in mainland China.
Emergency telephone numbers:
Hong Kong
Ambulance, fire, police - 999
Mainland China
Ambulance - 120
Fire - 119
Police - 110
Hours of work:
Business: 0900 to 1300 hours and 1400 to 1700 hours, Monday - Friday.
0900 to 1300 hours, Saturday.
Shopping: 1000 to 1800 hours on Hong Kong Island, 1000 to 1930 hours in Kowloon. Most stores in Hong Kong are open seven days a week and many stay open till late. The popular night market at Temple Street in Kowloon is open from 1400 hours and is best to shop at after dusk.
Time zone:
GMT + 8 hours.
Public holidays (fixed):
1st January - New Year’s Day
1st May - Labour Day
1st July - Hong Kong Special Administration Region Establishment Day (Hong Kong only)
1st August - Army Day (Mainland China only)
9th September - Teacher’s Day (Mainland China only)
1st October - National Day (Mainland China only)
25th December - Christmas Day (Hong Kong only)
26th December - Boxing Day (Hong Kong only)
Public holidays (moveable):
January/February - Chinese New Year
March/April - Easter (Hong Kong only)
March/April - Ching Ming Festival (Hong Kong only)
May - Buddha Holiday (Hong Kong only)
June - Dragon Boat Festival (Hong Kong only)
September - Mid-Autumn Festival (Hong Kong only)
October - Chung Yeung Festival (Hong Kong only)
Language:
Cantonese and English are the two official languages in Hong Kong. Mandarin, Putonghua and Shanghainese are also often spoken. On Mainland China, Mandarin is the most commonly used dialect.
Tipping:
Most restaurants add a 10 per cent service charge, but it is customary to leave a small tip as well. Tips may also be given to taxi drivers, bellboys, doormen and washroom attendants. On the mainland, tipping is not permitted and is considered an insult.
Dress code:
A formal suit is recommended for business meetings. Certain restaurants also require formal wear.
Electricity:
220 volts, 50 cycles AC.
Safety tips:
It is advisable to carry minimum cash on you and use smaller denomination bills. Also, we recommend that you carry a photocopy of your identification papers.