Hong Kong: Checklist

Here is a list of some very important things you should put in mind when traveling to Hong Kong.

Passport/Visa:
Visitors need a passport that is valid for at least six months. A number of countries have visa-free privileges for entry into Hong Kong, but time limits vary, so here is the LIST for you to check. Separate visa arrangements are necessary for crossing the border into mainland China, though entry into neighboring Macau is visa-free for most nationalities.

Climate:
Hong Kong is in a subtropical zone, and the weather can change quickly, though it is generally cool and dry from December through February, and hot and humid from April through September. Monsoons and tropical storms do affect the surrounding area. Go and check the HK Observatory website.

Immunizations:
No proof is required for entry, though those traveling on to other parts of Asia should check requirements for their final destinations.

Insect Repellent:
Mosquitoes are a bother most of the year in outlying districts close to water and/or heavy vegetation. Malaria is not a concern in Hong Kong, but dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis do occur. Most convenience stores and pharmacies sell insect repellent sprays and patches.

Hiking Gear:
Bring sensible, non-slip shoes. The city is mostly flat but there are older areas with cobblestone steps and hilly terrain, both of which can become slippery during rainy weather. Most of Hong Kong's hiking trails are well-paved. Carry sunscreen.

Toiletries:
Many products can be found at the city's two big pharmacy chains, numerous department stores, and neighborhood shops. For departure from Hong Kong, note that there are rules on carry-on liquids and aerosols. For details, click HERE.

Attire:
Weather in Hong Kong ranges from cool to hot, but the air conditioning in some restaurants, concert halls, and theaters is downright cold. Wear multiple light layers of clothing so that you can easily adjust to your surroundings.

Voltage Converter:
Hong Kong electricity is 220 volts, so a converter will be needed to protect computers and appliances that are set to operate on lower-voltage currents. Try HERE.

Traveler Magazine

Central Mid-Levels Escalator

A visit just to see an escalator may seem boring. But during your stay in Hong Kong, a quick sneak-peek of the Central Mid-Levels Escalator may worth an experince of a lifetime.

The Central Mid-Levels Escalator is the longest outdoor covered escalator in the world. It stretches from downtown Central business district up to the Mid-Levels residential area. It is an incredible 800 metres long and moves about 36,000 people a day.

An Art Gallery Director John Batten once said, "It kickstarted the gallery and dining area known as Soho." Beginning at Queen's Road in Central, there are numerous entry points along the way. Art galleries and antique shops cluster around the Hollywood and Staunton Street exits. Not only that! Trendy bars, cafes, restaurants and Chinese medicine also stalls along its route.

I just want to warn you though that the escalator only goes in one direction at a time. It goes down towards Central in the morning, then goes back up the hill in the afternoon. There are steps alongside but it would be a shame, not to mention hard work, to do the journey against the flow.

Horse Racing

Eyewitness Travel's Top 10 Hong Kong says: "This local passion takes place from September to June in the suburban town of Shatin on Saturdays and at the 55,000-capacity Happy Valley track on Hong Kong Island on Wednesday nights, the more exciting choice. The enthusiasm among the big-betting, chain-smoking punters is infectious."


Hong Kong has a rich tradition of organized horse racing, dating back to the founding of the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 1884, and the sport remains wildly popular today with fans both young and old.

Hong Kong's two premiere racing venues, the Happy Valley and Sha Tin racecourses, host high-stakes races from September through July, drawing fervent hordes of spectators who come to cheer on their favorite jockeys and steeds for the big win and bigger payoff.

Happy Valley, situated in a residential area in the northern part of Hong Kong Island, is considered the "city track," and it hosts races on Wednesday nights with a striking backdrop of glimmering skyscrapers. Weekend races are held at the "country track" of Sha Tin, widely considered one of the world's finest racing facilities.

Sha Tin hosts the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races, the world's richest day of turf racing, every December, and the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby is held every March. And if the thoroughbreds at Sha Tin aren't interesting enough for you, check out the longest TV display in the world, a high-resolution Diamond Vision screen 26 feet tall and 231 feet wide, giving everyone a great view of the action.

Both Happy Valley and Sha Tin are easily accessible by taxi or public transportation from the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers and Le Méridien Cyberport.

Victor Ozols, The Lobby.com