Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region)

China's Special Administrative Region and an international financial and shipping centre: high-rise buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour, outlying-island fishing villages and country-park trails coexist within the same one-hour transport circle.

History: Hong Kong comprises Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands, and returned in 1997; the Central–Mid-Levels Escalator is one of the world's longer outdoor covered escalator systems; the Star Ferry and the "ding ding" trams (Hong Kong Tramways) are long-established transport; Tai O, Cheung Chau and Lamma Island retain fishing-village and outlying-island ways of life; Wong Tai Sin Temple, Man Mo Temple and Che Kung Temple are temples with strong local incense traditions, with worship customs varying by place. Cantonese is the main local spoken language; tourist areas and public-transport signs mostly include English, and Mandarin is workable in most tourist situations. Legend: Claims about a "dragon vein" on Victoria Peak and "ghost stories of stilt houses on water" in Tai O are Legend; the claim that Wong Tai Sin "grants every request" is a faith-level Legend-type expression and should not be written as a proven fact; Hong Kong as portrayed in film and television is not the whole picture of local daily life.

• Victoria Harbour and Victoria Peak: Peak Tram, Sky Terrace 428 and the free Lugard Road viewpoint.
• Central: Central–Mid-Levels Escalator, Pottinger Street (Stone Slab Street) and Tai Kwun.
• Tsim Sha Tsui and Temple Street: Avenue of Stars, Victoria Harbour night views and Temple Street Night Market.
• Outlying Islands: Cheung Chau, Lamma Island and Tai O; ferries, fishing villages, seafood and hiking trails.
• Sai Kung and Hong Kong Geopark: seafood street, Sharp Island and sections of the MacLehose Trail (within your ability).

Cross-boundary: mainland visitors enter Hong Kong via Shenzhen ports (Lo Wu, Futian, Shenzhen Bay and others), the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge, the airport and West Kowloon high-speed rail station, with valid documents and endorsements, subject to official immigration announcement; West Kowloon station operates "co-location" clearance, so allow ample time. In town: the MTR network covers major areas of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories with frequent services; the Octopus card works on the MTR, buses, ferries, trams and small convenience-store purchases — a rented adult card's first purchase includes a deposit and stored value, and the card can be refunded before departure (a fee may be deducted if the card is young, subject to official announcement). Outlying islands: Central piers have ferries to Cheung Chau, Lamma Island, Mui Wo on Lantau and other places; sailings are less frequent than the metro, so check the last ferry in advance; the Star Ferry between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui costs on the order of a few Hong Kong dollars. Other options: "ding ding" trams run only along the north shore of Hong Kong Island, fares on the order of a few Hong Kong dollars; taxis come in three types — urban, New Territories and Lantau — differing in colour and service area, so confirm before boarding; both the Peak Tram and bus 15 reach the Peak, and tram queues may be long. Tickets and payment: Octopus, credit cards and mobile payments work in most situations; small shops may accept cash only or have a minimum spend; fares and fines are subject to official announcement.

• Red Line: Smoking is banned in most indoor places, on public transport and in outdoor restaurant seating, with fines starting on the order of over a thousand Hong Kong dollars, subject to official announcement; do not litter in country parks or on outlying islands — some routes require "take your own litter away".
• Taboo: ① Stand on the right of escalators, leaving the left for people in a hurry; do not jump queues or block the way looking at your phone on the metro or in queues — this is the easiest trap for visitors. ② In temples and shrines, follow signs on no photography, do not touch statues or offerings casually, and check on-site rules and fee notices before burning incense or drawing fortune sticks.
• Good Manners: Sharing tables ("daap toi") in cha chaan teng is normal — order quickly and give up your seat promptly after eating; indoor air conditioning is strong, so bring a light jacket even in summer; keep phone calls and conversation quiet; for outlying-island hikes, bring water and sun protection and check the last ferry before setting out.

Hong Kong voltage is 220V with British three-pin plugs — bring an adaptor; emergency number 999; summers are rainy and in typhoon season follow Observatory warnings — under Signal No. 8 most transport stops; popular restaurants, the Peak Tram, Disneyland and Ocean Park should be booked in advance, avoiding weekend crowds.