Accommodation & Travel
Climate

Located in Southern China, Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 26°C to 31°C during August. The weather is hot, humid and sunny, with occasional showers and thunderstorms. Its temperature can exceed 31°C but high humidity levels can make the air feel even hotter. The 9-day weather forecast is available at
http://www.hko.gov.hk/en/wxinfo/currwx/fnd.htm.

Time Zone

The local time in Hong Kong is GMT +8.

Passport & Visa Requirements

Visitors to Hong Kong should hold a passport with at least six months' validity. Nationals of most countries could stay for a visa-free period varying from 7 days to 180 days. Please note that a visa is required for some nationalities. The Organizer is NOT responsible for your individual visa arrangement. Participants should check with the Chinese embassy or consulate on specific visa information. Further information on Visa requirements is available at
https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/visit-transit/visit-visa-entry-permit.html.

Visa to China

Participants planning to travel to mainland China should make their own visa arrangement. Chinese visa can be applied in Hong Kong with the submission of one passport-sized photo and it normally takes three working days to process. Visas can be obtained through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong, China Travel Service (HK) Ltd, or China International Travel Service HK Ltd.

Transportation

Hong Kong is geographically compact; and its public transport system (bus, train, or ferry) is efficient, relatively inexpensive and user-friendly. Road signs in Hong Kong are bilingual in both English and Chinese. The Mass Transit Railway offers fast, modern and air-conditioned services between Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories. Networks of double-decker buses and taxies operate city-wide. Hong Kong's taxies are cheap and efficient with a flag fall of around HK$24 (Around US$3). And for those looking for a mode of travel that has been used for decades, there are the Star Ferries and Hong Kong Island's street trams.

For more information on different means of transport:

Further information of transport in Hong Kong is also available at http://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/index.html
Currency & Cashless Payment

Hong Kong's unit of currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$) which is pegged to the US dollar at an exchange rate of about HK$7.8 to US$1. The Hong Kong dollar in everyday circulation is available in 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1, $2, $5 and $10 coins and $10, $20, $50, $100, $500 and $1,000 banknotes. Most foreign currencies and travellers cheques can be easily exchanged at banks, hotels and moneychangers. As for cashless payment, Octopus cards can be purchased at local convenient stores and MTR stations. Upon value-adding, they can be used to facilitate small-value payments including public transport fares. Credit cards are widely accepted at major hotels, large restaurants, department stores and shops. Mobile payment applications such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, TNG Wallet, PayMe, Alipay HK, WeChat Pay and Tap N Go are also accepted in some of the chain stores.

Important Numbers
Consumer Council +(852) 2929 2222
Country Codes and Local Times Worldwide Inquiry Hotline +(852) 10013
Customs and Excise Department Inquiry Hotline +(852) 2815 7711
Department of Health +(852) 2961 8989
Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance) +(852) 999
Hong Kong Immigration Department +(852) 2824 6111
Hong Kong International Airport +(852) 2181 8888
Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Hotline +(852) 2508 1234
International Directory Inquiry Hotline +(852) 10015
Local Directory Inquiry Hotline +(852) 1081
Police Hotline +(852) 2527 7177
RTHK's service hotline (Newsline) for the latest news +(852) 2272 0000
Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong +(852) 2807 0707
Further information of Hong Kong is available at Hong Kong Tourism Board.