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Important travel info regarding entry requirements, safety and health tips are some essential points to be heedful to before planning vacation in Hong Kong. Read on to make your holiday hassle free in this beautiful destination.
Considered as the most dramatic destination in Asia, Hong Kong boasts enough charms to fascinate one and all! Featuring mind blowing tapestry of wonderful marvels, an everlasting assortment of fine dining and accommodation options, exciting shopping, soaring skyscrapers and much more; Hong Kong ranks high on the itineraries of many holidaymakers planning a vacation in the Far East. Besides, being the major financial hub of Asia, many corporate flyers reserve tickets to take a visit here. However, it’s always good to know essential information before heading anywhere. Read on to know some important tips regarding entry requirements, health and safety tips etc.
Entry Requirements
Visa – Even though Hong Kong is part of the People’s Republic of China it remains a Special Administrative Region with its own immigration controls. According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, travellers boarding flights to this bustling destination can visit here for up to six months without a visa. However, travellers planning to stay in Hong Kong for more than six months, they will need to obtain a visa. For more information, one can consult Hong Kong Immigration Department.
Many tourists visiting Hong Kong often prefer to take a tour to Mainland China. FCO says, one must get a Chinese visa before arrival at the border. Visas are not available on arrival at the Chinese border for British passport holders. If you are entering Hong Kong via mainland China and leaving again via the mainland you will need a double or multiple entry visas for mainland China.
Passport – No matter, whether you are booking tickets to this Asian province to enjoy a gratifying holiday or visiting Hong Kong for business related matters, your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required.
Safety Tips
Holidaymakers or business travellers reserving tickets to board flights for visiting Hong Kong will be happy to know that the destination is relatively safer than other areas. Though the rate of violent crimes is low, street crimes often occur. Tourists should be careful about their valuables like passport, credit cards, return tickets etc. especially in public places. Nevertheless, if you intend to hike in Hong Kong’s Country Parks you should stick to marked trails and avoid carrying valuables.
Stay Healthy
Travellers reserving tickets on flights heading to Hong Kong do not need to worry about their health issues. Tap water is soft and the World Health Organisation has approved it for drinking. But for many heath conscious tourists disembarking flights here, there’s no dearth of branded packed drinking water. The province is known for its superb medical facilities. As a result, many patients are found on a mad scramble to book air tickets to Hong Kong. But make sure to carry enough fund and adequate travel health insurance as medical treatment is costly here.
Local Laws and Customs
According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, there are on the spot fines for littering and spitting in Hong Kong. There is zero tolerance for travellers travelling on Mass Transit Railway without purchasing tickets. Foreign tourists, especially Britons landing on flights here should make sure not to take photographs of military installations. Since the 1997 handover, the defence of Hong Kong has been the responsibility of the People’s Liberation Army. All previous British military barracks now belong to the PLA. Don’t become involved with illegal drugs of any kind. Possession of these drugs can lead to imprisonment.
Disclaimer: The information in this article relating to visa/entry requirements is correct at the time of publishing. You must consult the relevant Embassy or Consulate for updated info on visa policies as requirements may change. You should check the up-to-date position in good time before booking/departure.