Hong Kong
Hong Kong: entry and exit regulations

Formalities, visas
Germans, Austrians and Swiss are allowed to enter the country for a period of
90 days without a visa, but they must be in possession of a passport that is
still valid for four months. Anyone traveling to other Asian countries via Hong
Kong must show a passport that is valid for at least six months.
If you want to stay longer, you can apply for a visa at the relevant Chinese
embassy or the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
Issuing of visas in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Embassy of the PR China in Germany Märkisches Ufer
54 10179 Berlin Tel: 0049 (0) 30-48 83 97 22 Fax: 0049 (0) 30 - 48 83 97 31
Embassy of the PR China in Austria
Metternichgasse 4
1030 Vienna
Tel: 0222-71 31 49 48
Fax: 0222-71 36 816
Embassy of the PR China in Switzerland Kalcheggweg
10 3006 Bern Tel: 031-33 52 73 33 Fax: 031-35 14 573
On site in Hong Kong
Immigration Department
24/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai
Hong Kong
www.immd.gov.hk
Import and export of foreign currency
Departure fee
In many countries, a fee must be paid when leaving the country.
This fee is in departure from Hong Kong:
80 HK $ and is mostly in the price of the ticket included.
Import and export of goods
The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly
prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals protected
under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result
in severe penalties.
Visitors are allowed to import the following quantities:
- 1 liter of alcohol
- Cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco
Hong Kong: Embassies, Consulates and Tourist Office
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Hong Kong embassies and consulates in each
country around the world.

Representations from Hong Kong (China) in Germany
Since Hong Kong belongs to China under international law, Hong Kong does not
have its own diplomatic representations in Germany.
Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Berlin
Märkisches Ufer 54
10179 Berlin
Tel: 0049 - (0) 30 - 27 58 80
Fax: 0049 - (0) 30 - 27 58 82 21
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.china -botschaft.de
German representations in Hong Kong
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Hong Kong
United Center, 21st floor, 95 Queensway-Central
Hongkong Island
Tel: 00852 - 21 05 87 77
00852 - 21 05 87 88
Fax: 00852 - 28 65 20 33
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.hongkong.diplo.de
The German Consulate General in Hong Kong is still responsible for:
Austrian representations in Hong Kong (China)
Austrian Embassy in Beijing
Jian Guo Men Wai, Xiu Shui Nan Jie 5
100600 Beijing
Tel: 0086 - 10 - 653 22 061
0086 - 10 - 653 22 062
Fax: 0086 - 10 - 653 21 505
E-Mail: peking-ob @ bmeia.gv.at
www.aussenministerium.at/peking
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Austria in Hong Kong
2201 Chinachem Tower, 34-37 Connaught Road
Central Hong Kong
Tel: 00852 - 2522 80 86/-87/-88/-89
Fax: 00852 - 2521 87 73
Email: [email protected] at
www.aussenministerium.at/hongkong
Representations from Hong Kong (China) in Austria
Since Hong Kong belongs to China under international law, Hong Kong does not
have its own diplomatic representations in Austria.
Embassy of the PR China in Vienna
Metternichgasse 4
1030 Vienna
Tel: 0043 - (0) 1 - 714 31 49
Fax: 0043 - (0) 1 - 713 68 16
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.chinaembassy.at
Swiss representations in Hong Kong (China)
Swiss Embassy in Beijing
Sanlitun Dongwujie 3
Beijing (Peking) 100 600
Tel: 0086 - 10 - 85 32 88 88
0086 - 10 - 85 32 87 55
Fax: 0086 - 10 - 65 32 43 53
0086 - 10 - 65 32 62 10
E- Mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
www.eda.admin.ch/beijing
Consulate General in Hong Kong
Suite 6206-07
Central Plaza
18 Harbor Road
Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: 00852 - 25 22 71 47/-48
Fax: 00852 - 28 45 26 19
E-Mail: [email protected]
www. eda.admin.ch/hongkong
Representations from Hong Kong (China) in Switzerland
Since Hong Kong belongs to China under international law, Hong Kong does not
have its own diplomatic missions in Switzerland.
Embassy of the PR China in Bern
Kalcheggweg 10
3006 Bern
Tel: 0041 - (0) 31 - 352 73 33
0041 - (0) 31 - 351 63 37
Fax: 0041 - (0) 31 - 351 45 73
Email: china-embassy @ bluewin.ch
www.china-embassy.ch
Tourist office
Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Information Center
Citicorp Center (9th-11th Floor)
18 Whitfield Road
North Point
Hong Kong
Tel: 00852 - 28 07 65 43
00852 - 25 08 12 34
Fax: 00852 - 28 06 03 03
Email: info @ discoverhongkong. com - [email protected]
www.hktb.com
www.hktourismboard.com
www.discoverhongkong.com
Hong Kong Tourist Office in Germany Hong Kong Tourism
Board
Humboldt-Straße 94
60318 Frankfurt/M.
Tel: 0049 - (0) 69 - 959 12 90
Fax: 0049 - (0) 69 - 597 80 50
Email: [email protected]
www.hktb.com
www.discoverhongkong.com/
Hong Kong: hotels, hostels and backpackers
Big hotels
Here at Goruma you can book rooms or even suites in a large number of hotels
in the city "online" from home. To do this, click the corresponding button in
the banner on the right-hand side of the page. Of course, you will not incur any
additional costs with this type of booking. A detailed description of the hotels
by the provider - including the prices of the rooms offered - naturally makes it
easier to choose the right hotel.
Inexpensive and tourist hotels
The cheaper housing options are Kowloon and the New
Territories. But otherwise you can also find many inexpensive
tourist hotels, guest houses (especially in Causeway Bay) or holiday camps in
the city. A helpful list of government licensed hotels can be found at: www.hadla.gov.hk
Hostels and bakery accommodation
Cheap travelers and backpackers will find an infinite number of almost free
accommodations in Hong Kong. These are particularly located in southern
Kowloon. You can book in advance (which is more expensive) or just walk down the
endless Nathan Road between Mongkok and Tsim
Sha Tsui and look for a place to stay that way. Most guest houses
are controlled and licensed by the government and are generally very safe,
although mostly small and dark. But if you only use the accommodations to sleep,
you save a lot of money for other interesting activities in China's most
fascinating city.
The most famous cheap stays in Hong Kong are:
Chungking Mansions
Famous, notorious, bizarre, trivial and mysterious - the structure
rising up on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui is known for everything except social
normality. Still, Chungking Mansions offer the cheapest accommodations in
town. In addition to normal rental apartments, some of these are located on the
top floors of the labyrinth-like building complex and offer narrow sleeping
spaces with a view of the deepest shafts in the city. In addition to
backpackers, the mansions are teeming with stores, shops, dark exchange offices
and curry restaurants. The city's ethnic minorities also gather in the
conglomerate of stone and chaos, built in 1961. An absolutely fascinating
microcosm!
Mirador Mansions
But also the Mirador Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui are in no way inferior to the
Chungking Mansions in terms of chaos and cheapness. But neither the Mirador nor
the Chungking Mansions are unsafe, even if they sometimes get this reputation
overlooked and - admittedly - also give this impression from the outside.
You can also contact the Hong Kong Youth Hostel Association for
inexpensive hostels, which also offers a range of inexpensive
accommodations. However, these are more likely to be outside the city center and
are not suitable for quick sightseeing.
Hong Kong: Travel Medicine, Vaccinations and Warnings
Infectious Diseases
- Malaria: There is no risk
of malaria in the country.
- Intestinal infections- from contaminated food or
water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation and
all kinds of viruses and bacteria.
- Hepatitis A and B
- Polio, polio
- tetanus
Recommended vaccinations
when traveling to Hong Kong are recommended vaccinations against
the following diseases:
- Diphtheria- a vaccination against diphtheria
should always exist, also in the home country.
- Hepatitis A and B
- Tetanus- a vaccination against tetanus should
always exist, also in the home country.
Vaccination requirements There are no vaccination
regulations when entering or staying in the country.
Who pays for vaccinations in Germany?
Most children in Germany are vaccinated against a number of infectious
diseases at an early age. However, the vaccination protection only lasts up to
10 years, in some cases even shorter. Therefore, before traveling abroad, you
should carefully consider against which infectious diseases a vaccination is
necessary or useful in the country concerned and whether the vaccination
protection, if applicable, was not too long ago.
Most statutory health insurances have been reimbursing the costs for the
following vaccinations since June 2007. There is even no 10 € practice fee - but
the insured usually have to pay the statutory additional payment, which is 10%
of the vaccine price - that is at least 5 € and a maximum of 10 €. Under these
conditions, the following vaccinations are free of charge:
- cholera
- diphtheria
- Early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE)
- Yellow fever
- Hepatitis A and B
- Meningococcal meningitis
- Pneumococci
- Polyo (polio)
- Tetanus (tetanus)
- rabies
- typhus
Some health insurance companies also reimburse the cost of malaria
prophylaxis. As a rule, private health insurance companies (inquire beforehand)
also cover the costs mentioned.
Warning notices
Hong Kong is anything but a place of high crime. Even women traveling alone
can experience the city at any time of the day or night without any
problems. However, it never hurts to use the usual security practices that would
be followed in other cities of this size, including in Hong Kong. Luggage and
purses should be secured, especially in larger crowds and backpacker
accommodations (especially dormitories) in youth hostels.
Should a problem arise, you can dial the emergency number 999.
For the current security situation in Hong Kong, it is best to contact the
Federal Foreign Office:
Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany
Citizens' Service
Telephone: 0049 - (0) 30 - 5000 - 2000
Fax: 0049 - (0) 30 - 5000 - 51000
www.auswaertiges- amt.de
Tourist information, city tours
Tourist Information
Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Information Center
Citicorp Center (9th-11th Floor)
18 Whitfield Road
North Point
Hong Kong
Tel: 00852 - 28 07 65 43 (multilingual - also German - tourist information
hotline)
Tel: 00852 - 25 08 12 34 (multilingual - also German - visitor
hotline) Fax: 00852 - 28 06 03 03
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.hktb.com
www.hktourismboard.com
www.discoverhongkong.com
The best way to discover Hong Kong and its sights is with the help of a
professional city guide. You will discover interesting clues, stories, legends
as well as buildings and structures. The tours are mostly offered in German and
English and are suitable for almost all age groups. Under the following link you
will find a provider for the mediation of city tours, city tours, tickets and
activities that may be suitable for you:
Further information on city tours
Walking Tours
Some walking tours of Hong Kong are offered by the Hong Kong Tourism
Board. The Heritage and Architectural Walks,
which lead through Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, are
particularly recommended. The tours last between two and four hours and are
accompanied by guides (and audio guides too). But the organizers Gray
Line Tours and Splendid Tour and Travel also offer
such tours.
Bus
tours The Hong Kong Tourism Board offers many
thematically different bus tours. You can choose, for example, between the Heritage
Tour, the Come Horseracing Tour, the Morning
Tea Tour, the Healthy Living Tour, or
the Tai Chi Tour. There is also a Land
Between bus tour that takes you to the most scenic areas of Hong
Kong's New Territories. You should reserve at least
five hours for these tours.
Individual Tours
You can venture out into the rural areas of the New Territories on
designated paths or get to know the forests of Hong Kong Island. Such
trails include the MacLehose Trail (100 km), the Hong
Kong Trail (50 km) and the 3.5 km long Peak Trail.
Don't forget a ration of water in the summer months!
Boat
tours Watertours offers numerous harbor and
island tours. The departure and arrival points are in Hong Kong
Island (Queen's Pier) and Kowloon (Kowloon Public Pier). You can also opt for Star
Ferry. Their boats leave from the Star Ferry Terminals, which are
located on both sides of the bank. HKFF Travel Ltd also
offers a five hour boat trip to the Outlying Islands. It is deposited at the
Ferry Pier in Central.
Other recommended tours
A luxury tram will be mobilized for the Galaxy of Light tour,
which can be booked through the recognized operator JTT Tours. This is a night
tour in an elegant and old-fashioned tram, during which you can experience Hong
Kong at night as you drive past.
For more information, it is best to contact the Hong Kong Tourism Board
Visitor Information Center shown above
Legal notice
We at Goruma only create a link to the company "rent-a-guide" and can
therefore not be held liable or recourse for processing a booking - especially
since we have no influence on the course of a booking.
But in our experience, "rent-a-guide" is a very serious company that we can
recommend with a clear conscience.
Arrival and transport
Getting there
Airplane
Hong Kong has one of the most modern airports in the world, which serves as the
gateway for southern China and as a transport hub for Asia. Chek Lap Kok Airport
is accordingly frequented and there are correspondingly many flight connections
to Hong Kong. The airport opened in 1998 and was designed by the architect Sir
Norman Foster. It is famous for its structure and natural lighting.
How to get to Chep Lap Kok Airport:
It is best to take the double-decker bus (no Airport Express, as it costs twice
as much) to the airport, costs around HK $ 220 for a one-way trip.
Railway
You can come from mainland China by railway. The journey is likely to be arduous
for the normal traveler.
Ferry
You can take the ferry from Macau, the former
Portuguese enclave on the other bank of the Pearl River estuary. Fast ferries
depart from here and take about 1.5 hours to get there.
Mainland China
From China you can travel by ferry from several cities. However, depending on
the distance from the city, the journey can take several days.
Travel within the city
Tip for travel cards
The “Octopus Card” multiple card is ideal (only valid in Hong
Kong). There are different amounts to choose from and the recharge is also
variable. It is available everywhere, directly at MTR stations, at "7Eleven" or
at tourist information offices. It can be recharged and shows the minus amount
beforehand. This card can be used almost everywhere, be it for grocery shopping,
parking garage fees, at the petrol station as a means of payment or for all
means of public transport, it is a convenient alternative.
General note
Eating and drinking is prohibited on all means of public transport
and is punished with a fine!
Bus
You can take the bus from the airport to the city or explore the city
itself. You should have the travel allowance as appropriate or buy a multiple
card that you can reload with a certain amount of money.
It is not recommended to take the small van buses, as they require a command of
Cantonese and local knowledge.
Tip for bus tours
The Hong Kong Tourism Board offers many thematically different bus
tours. You can choose, for example, between the Heritage Tour, the Come
Horseracing Tour, the Morning Tea Tour, the Healthy Living Tour, or the Tai Chi
Tour. There is also a Land Between bus tour that takes you to the most scenic
areas of Hong Kong's New Territories. You should reserve at least five hours for
these tours
Tram
The ancient double-decker tram is a delight for every tourist. It runs every
minute and you can watch the city from a raised seat at the same time. The
windows are mostly open so that you can escape the stuffiness of the city with a
little wind.
Please pay accordingly (insert a coin) or use the "Octopus Card".
Tip!!!
A luxury tram will be mobilized for the Galaxy of Light tour, which
can be booked through the recognized operator JTT Tours. This is a night tour in
an elegant and old-fashioned tram, during which you can experience Hong Kong at
night as you drive past. The cost is around HK $ 180.
U-Bahn and Railway
As in any big city, the U-Bahn is one of the most important means
of transport, and the railway can also be used to get to the airport and the
surrounding area.
Ferry connections
The ferries that connect Hong Kong Island with Kowloon are
landmarks of the city and an integral part of the public transport system. A
trip across the bay is an absolute must. The offshore islands can also be easily
reached by ferry.
Boat tour tip
Watertours offers numerous harbor and island tours that will cost
between HK $ 200 and 630. The departure and arrival points are in Hong Kong
Island (Queen's Pier) and Kowloon (Kowloon Public Pier). You can also opt for
Star Ferry, which charges HK $ 180 for one crossing. Their boats leave from the
Star Ferry Terminals, which are located on both sides of the bank. HKFF Travel
Ltd also offers a five hour boat trip to the Outlying Islands. It is deposited
at the Ferry Pier in Central. The cost of such a tour is currently around HK $
320.
Car transport and rental cars
The car is not necessarily the best mode of transport for Hong
Kong. The traveler is strongly advised not to rent a car. Traffic is heavy,
there is British left-hand traffic and parking fees are horrendous. In order to
avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, one should strictly adhere to
the traffic regulations in force in the country. The maximum speeds shown can of
course be reduced or increased by traffic signs. Regardless of the information
given here, it is advisable to obtain detailed information from the ADAC, the
AvD or the Hong Kong Traffic Club.
Car traffic and rental cars
The car is not necessarily the best mode of transport for Hong
Kong. The traveler is strongly advised not to rent a car. Traffic is heavy,
there is British left-hand traffic and parking fees are horrendous. In order to
avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, one should strictly adhere to
the traffic regulations in force in the country. The maximum speeds shown can of
course be reduced or increased by traffic signs. Regardless of the information
given here, it is advisable to obtain detailed information from the ADAC, the
AvD or the Hong Kong Traffic Club.
Speed
limits Hong Kong has a speed limit of 50 km/h.
Blood alcohol limit
In Hong Kong there is a blood alcohol limit of 0.5 per mille for
drivers of motor vehicles.
International license plate
According to
Abbreviationfinder, Hong Kong's international license plate is:
Hong Kong: currency, shopping and exchange rate
The local currency of is the Hong Kong dollar, which is pegged to the US
dollar.
US $ 1 is about HK $ 7.8
The following bills are valid and in circulation in the country:
- HK $ orange
- HK $ 500 brown
- HK $ 100 red
- HK $ 50 purple
- HK $ 20 blue
- HK $ 10 green
The following coins are valid and in circulation in the country:
HK $ 10, HK $ 5, HK $ 2, and HK $ 1.
50 cents, 20 cents and 10 cents.
Exchange rate
You can find a currency converter here: www3.forium.de
Bank and shop opening times
Bank opening hours
Monday to Friday: from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday: from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
ATM machines can be found "practically on every corner"!
Shop opening times
daily: 10:30 a.m.
- 6:30 p.m. However, many shopping centers are open until 9:00 p.m. or longer.
Office opening times
Monday - Friday: 9
a.m. - 6 p.m., lunch break from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., lunch break from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday: 9 a.m. -
12:30 pm
Shop
For a long time, Hong Kong was considered the shoppers' paradise. It still
is, but the bargains can no longer be found in all areas. Contrary to popular
belief, entertainment electronics are not necessarily cheaper than in
Europe. However, if you are looking for clothing, you can shop cheaply in the
upper price segment, from top designers as well as from casual wear. The former
can be found in the regular boutiques of the corresponding designers. The latter
can be found in the markets or in the outlet stores.
In the large and well-known shopping malls, it is advisable to have a TAX Free
receipt issued after every purchase. VAT can be refunded on the return journey
at the airport. The Global Refund provides all the
information. http://www.global-blue.com/en/tax-free-shopping
Hong Kong is still a veritable shoppers' paradise, thanks to the very low
taxes. Japanese tourists in particular plunge into the vast numbers of gigantic
shopping centers and the tumult of the numerous markets, where you can buy
everything from fresh (almost living) food to inexpensive clothing. The many
night markets such as the Ladies' Market (Mongkok) or the Temple Street Night
Market (Kowloon) are also interesting.
It is absolutely advisable to act, especially since you can usually not tell the
originals from the forgeries. There is no need to rush to go shopping, as Hong
Kong has no closing time laws, so most shops in the tourist areas are open
around the clock. Shopping malls will under no circumstances close before 10
p.m. You should make sure that you do not buy so much that the allowance for
souvenirs to Germany is exceeded, because then customs are due and the savings
are gone.
Here are a few more recommendations as to which shopping centers and markets are
really worth seeing.
Harbor City
The gigantic shopping center on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui is one
of the most famous shopping centers in the whole city.
Ladies 'Market
Located in Mongkok, the Ladies' Market is one of the largest street markets in
Hong Kong. Above all, clothing is brought to women there, who can shop there
from noon until late in the evening.
Landmark
All the important designers have settled in the Landmark Shopping Mall in
Central - from Dior to Louis Vuitton.
Sogo
The Japanese department store in Causeway Bay spreads out over nine floors and
brings everything to men and women - from everyday items to textiles.
Times Square
This large and very elegant mall is a gigantic consumer temple in
the huge Times Square building. The shops are stacked over nine floors. The
best-known piece of furniture is the giant electronic clock, from which the
seconds up to the turn of the millennium could also be read on New Year's Eve in
1999.
Yuen Po Street Bird Garden
The Yuen Po bird garden proves that the breeding and rearing of
songbirds in China has an ancient tradition. More than 70 stalls offer
everything the bird-loving prison guard needs to take away the meaning of life
from his animal in a pleasant way.
Wan Chai Computer Center
You probably won't save a lot when purchasing technical accessories
in Hong Kong, but a visit to the Wan Chai Computer Center is worthwhile if only
because the latest technology models in Asia usually come onto the market faster
than in Europe. The supplementary products/services, however, are inexpensive,
such as sticking a protective film on a mobile phone or laptop, and you can also
act here at any time.
Western Market Housed
in a red brick building from 1906, Western Market is located on the east end of
Central. There used to be a market here, but in 1991 it reopened as a mall with
smaller shops and stalls lined up. However, these are mostly interesting and
unique goods that are rarely found in shopping malls.
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