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The Official Website for WorldSkills General Assembly 2004

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INFORMATION ON HONG KONG

For more information about Hong Kong, please visit
www.discoverhongkong.com

Business Hours

General office hours are 9:00 am - 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon
on Saturday. All Offices, Banks and Post Offices close on Sunday.

Credit Cards

Most hotels, large restaurants and shops will accept international credit cards, e.g. Visa,
MasterCard and American Express. Automatic teller machines are plentiful and situated
throughout the city. There is no sales tax at the point of sale in Hong Kong.

Shopping

Generally shops in tourist areas are open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Monday to Sunday.
Shops are plentiful, with world class department stores, shopping centers, boutiques, gift
shops, specialty stores and duty free outlets.

Cuisine

Food and dining facilities are available to suit all requirements. Hong Kong offers very fine
dining restaurants, bistros and good quality fast food outlets. Local specialties include a
variety of Chinese, Eastern and Western food; seafood; fresh vegetables and fruits.

Tipping

Tipping is quite common in Hong Kong as it is in other parts of the world. Tipping is your
prerogative, a reward for good service. A 10% service charge is generally included in
restaurants and additional tips are optional.

Currency

Hong Kong operates under the decimal system of dollars and cents. Notes come in $1,000,
$5,00, $100, $50, $20, $10 denominations. Coins come in $10, $5, $2, $1, 50c 20c, 10c
denominations. Currency exchanges are located at airport, banks and major hotels.

Driving within Hong Kong

International visitors may drive on a valid international drivers license for the same class
of vehicle. Hong Kong people drive on the left-hand side of the road. Strict drink driving
laws apply. Seat belts are compulsory and must be worn by drivers and passengers at all times.
Drivers are prohibited to use mobile phones without hands-free feature while driving.

Electricity Supply

Electricity supply is 220 volts 50 Hz, with 13-Amp three-pin power sockets, to BS 1363.

Airport Transport

The Central Business District on the Hong Kong Island is about 40 km from the International
airport and takes approximately 45 minutes to reach by car and by hotel/airport express (AEL).
Taxi, train, public and hotel shuttle buses are all available at the Airport. Airport departure
tax is $ 70 per person. Hong Kong Tourism Board operates Visitor Information & Services Centres
at the Buffer Halls of the Hong Kong International Airport. Officer assistance available from 7 am
to 11 pm daily.

Cathay Pacific Airways is the Official Carrier of the WorldSkills General Assembly 2004. For ticket
enqueriesenquiries & reservations, please contact local Cathay Pacific Reservation Hotline as follows:
Phone (852) 2747 1888.
Web site: http://www.cathaypacific.com

Consultates/Commissions

A list of the main consulates present in Hong Kong is available from the organizer.

Language

Chinese and English are the official languages. Cantonese is the most widely spoken Chinese dialect,
though use of Mandarin is growing. All major signage is in English or is bilingual. Visitors will find
that most people in the srvice industry speak English.

Getting Around by taxi, bus trains

Taxis:
Taxis are abundant and fares are comparatively low (the basic flag-fall rate is HK$15 in Kowloon and on
Hong Kong Island). Taxis come in different colors, depending on their are of service - red in Hong Kong
Island and Kowloon, green in the New Territories, and blue on Lantau Island. However all three serve Hong
Kong International Airport.

Buses:
Double-decker and coach buses have their final destinations marked in English and Chinese on the front top
panel. Fares are low (usually ranging from HK$1.2 to HK$45) and exact change is required. Drivers generally
speak little English.

Trams:
Hong Kong Tramways is an 8.1-mile street transit system established in 1904 providing passengers with a
fascinating slow-moving view of Hong Kong's urban bustle. They run along Hong Kong Island's northern shoreline
from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan, with a side loop around Happy Valley racecourse. The operate daily from 6am
to 1 am. The fare (HK$2) is fixed, no matter how far you travel, and is paid into the driver's coin box when
getting off.

Trains:
The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is fast, clean, efficient and inexpensive. The Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) East
Rail is a commuter railway that runs from Hung Hom in Kowloon to the boundary with Mainland China. The Light Rail
(LR) connects the New Territories towns of Tuen Mun and Yuen Long.

Safety

Hong Kong is a remarkably safe city by day and night. Police patrol frequently and are helpful. As in all big
cities, avoid carrying large amounts of cash; traveller's cheques and credit cards are preferred.

Health Regulation

Vaccination certificates are usually not required. Check with your doctor or travel agent or carrier when making
reservations before travelling because requirements can change.

Customs Allowance

Visitors may bring into Hong Kong duty free:
Tobacco - 200 cigaarettes or 50 cigars or 250 gm tobacco
Liquor - A one-liter bottle of wine or spirits.
Please check before departure because allowances are subject to change.