Known as the New York City of Asia, Hong Kong is one of the most visited cities in the world. Despite this fact, there is still a lot of confusion among travelers if the city is a part of China or not. Because of what is known as “One Country, Two Systems,” the city can best be described as, “a special administrative region of China.”
Unlike China, American passport holders are able to visit Hong Kong for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. However, because renminbi is rarely accepted in the city, you will need to make sure you take the time to visit a currency exchange before making your trip.
“Known as the New York City
of Asia, Hong Kong is one of the
most visited cities in the world.”
The following is a list of a few other things you may want to know before visiting Hong Kong.
More than just city life
While most people tend to picture the city as a concrete jungle, you will want to make sure you visit the many national parks, beaches, waterfalls, mountains, and marine parks. Despite what you may have heard about more than 1200 skyscrapers, over half of Hong Kong is made up of scenic countryside.
Along with many busy city streets, there are also more than 50 hiking trails just waiting to be explored. By venturing out of the city, it’s easy to see why some people prefer to consider Hong Kong a tropical island with a couple of big buildings in the background.
Unlike the majority of Asia’s popular tourist hotspots, you won’t have to go out of your way to find someone who speaks English in Hong Kong. Due to the fact the city is one of the largest business and commercial hubs in the world, the English language is spoken more regularly than you might think.
The city you wouldn’t expect
If you are one of the millions making the trip for business, internet access and wifi isn’t something you will have to go without. All throughout the city there is free wifi from multiple sources just waiting to be used. Keep in mind, you will need to have your cellular or electronic device on airplane mode to avoid overseas charges.
One misconception many travelers have is that due to the city’s high population, they will need to be on the lookout for crime and watch their every move. Yes, just like any other place in the world, there are a few places in Hong Kong you may want to avoid. That being said, per capita, Hong Kong has an extremely low crime rate and is a surprisingly safe place to travel.
While Hong Kong has built a reputation as one of the easiest big cities in the world to find your way around in, it may be worth your time to take advantage of their friendly cab services.
Regardless if you need to make your way through town, are looking to escape to the beach, or just want to relax in the peace of the countryside, there are services like Book Taxi Hong Kong where you can easily find a driver ready to get you wherever you want to go. And the good news is – you can book a ride online.
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