VISA REQUIREMENTS

Hong Kong has a liberal visa policy. Nationals from more than 170 countries can visit Hong Kong visa free. To check whether you need a visa to enter Hong Kong or not, please visit

https://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm

If a visa is required, then an application for the appropriate visa or entry permit should be obtained from the nearest Chinese diplomatic and consular mission. As an alternative, you may also submit your visa or entry permit application to the HKSAR Immigration Department either directly by post or through a local sponsor.


AIR TRANSPORTATION

Hong Kong is a major transportation hub located at the heart of Asia. There are over 60 international airlines serving over 130 destinations worldwide. More than 50% of the world's population is within 5 hours' flying time of Hong Kong. The state-of-the-art Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok operates 24 hours a day. The highly developed transportation network in Hong Kong makes it very easy to get to and from the airport.

More information about the airport and flights is available at https://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/index.html


GROUND TRANSPORTATION

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) is located in the heart of Hong Kong fronting Victoria Harbour, and has convenient transportation connections around the city.

Taxis: A taxi ride from the Hong Kong International Airport to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre costs around HK$ 285 and takes approximately 40 minutes. Urban taxis are red. The current rates are HK$20 for the first two kilometers and HK$1.50 for each additional 0.2 kilometer travelled. Additional charges for luggage and tolls may apply.

Further information is available on the following link:
https://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/transport/to-from-airport/taxi.html


Airport Express: Airport Express is the fastest train service connecting the Hong Kong International Airport and downtown Hong Kong. It takes passengers to Central in just 24 minutes. Trains depart every 12-minutes from 0550 to 0115 hours daily, with the last train leaving the Airport Station at 0048 hours. A complimentary connecting bus service is provided for Airport Express passengers. Passengers can enjoy free bus service from Hong Kong Station (Bus no. H1) to HKCEC. The exit bus stop is located at the HKCEC's Harbour Road Entrance. You can also interchange there to take the MTR Island line to get to the MTR Wan Chai Station.

Hong Kong Station (Interchange to the Island Line) --> Take the free shuttle bus to HKCEC Hong Kong Station (Interchange to the Island Line) --> Central Station --> Wan Chai Station -->Walk to HKCEC

To learn more, please visit:
https://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/airport_express/intro_index.html.

Mass Transit Railway (MTR): MTR is the main public transportation in the urban area. The Wan Chai Station is the closest MTR station to HKCEC and is about a10 minutes walk to HKCEC.

You can download the MTR map from the link: https://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/images/maps/routemap.pdf.


Ferry: The Star Ferry, a Hong Kong ferry service, operates a route from the HKCEC across Victoria Harbour: Visitors can take the star ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier to the HKCEC. It is about a 5-minute walk to the HKCEC.

Bus: You can take a bus from the airport (Ground Transportation Centre) to a bus stop which is about a 10-minute walk to HKCEC. Several buses are list below:

Bus No.	A11	A12	E11	N11(Overnight Services only)
Get off at	Fleming Road, Hennessy Road	Immigration Tower, Gloucester Road	Fleming Road, Hennessy Road	Bank of East Asia Harbour View Centre, Gloucester Road

For more details, please visit https://www.nwstbus.com.hk or https://www.kmb.hk

Shuttle bus: Hotel coaches are available to take passengers to and from major hotels in Hong Kong. If you want to use this service, visit the following service counters inside the Coach Station of Terminal 2. Further information is available on the following link:
https://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/transport/to-from-airport/hotel-shuttle-bus-limousine.html


TRAIN INFORMATION

The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) also provides intercity passenger services between Hong Kong and the Mainland with three Through Train routes, namely the Beijing line, the Shanghai line and the Guangdong line. The Guangdong Through Train operates between Hung Hom and Dongguan (Changping), Guangzhou East, Foshan and Zhaoqing. Further information is available on the following link: https://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/homepage/cust_index.html

To learn more about Transportation in Hong Kong, please visit the link below:

https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/trip-planner/transport.html


CAR RENTAL AND PARKING

Car rental agencies have offices at the airport, however car rental is discouraged as Hong Kong is a busy metropolitan city. Driving is on the left side of the road. Parking close to HKCEC is available in the two underground car parks located at Harbour Road and Expo Drive Central. The parking fee is USD $6 per hour.


HONG KONG INFORMATION

Weather - Hong Kong in May is usually sunny with average high and low temperatures of around 83 F and 75 F (28.4 C and 23.9 C) during the day. Showers may occur with an average precipitation of 2.3 inches (59 mm). You can get detailed information about weather at https://gb.weather.gov.hk/contentc.htm

Local Time – Hong Kong Time is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +8:00 hours or Universal Standard Time (UST) +8:00 hours. Hong Kong has no daylight saving hours. Participants flying over the Pacific Ocean need to note that the international dateline may affect arrival dates.

Currency and foreign exchange - The local currency is the Hong Kong dollar ($). Currency can be exchanged at some banks and, main railway stations, airports, and near tourist attractions. Please note: although the exchange rate is fixed, commission rates are not. They have to be clearly displayed.

Banking and credit cards -Banks are open generally from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with an optional break at lunch time, from Monday to Saturday morning. Automatic Teller Machines (cash dispensers) can be found almost everywhere and accept most international cards (Visa, Eurocard, and Mastercard). In shops and restaurants, mainly Visa, Eurocard, and Mastercard are accepted. American Express cards are also accepted in several places (but not all, please check signs at the entrance).

Electricity -The power supply is 220V, 50 Hz. The plug/socket system is a 3-rectangular-pin (Type G, British BS-1363). Check your computers and cell phone chargers to see if they can operate at this voltage. Appliances designed to operate only at 110/120V require a voltage converter and a plug adapter.

Restaurants –Hong Kong offers a large variety of restaurants. Typical lunch time is 12:30 p.m. and dinner 8:00 p.m. Useful links - For the latest information about the city of Hong Kong, please visit the following links:

https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/index.html