About HongKong

Hong Kong is a place with multiple personalities, as a result of being Cantonese Chinese with a long-time British influence. Today, the former British colony is a major tourism destination for China’s increasingly affluent population. It is also an important hub in the Chinese diaspora with global connections to many of the world’s cities. It is a unique destination that has absorbed people and cultural influences from places as diverse as Vietnam and Vancouver.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China is much more than a harbour city. The traveller weary of its crowded streets may be tempted to describe it as “Hong Kongcrete”. Yet, this SAR with its cloudy mountains and rocky islands is mostly a rural landscape. Much of the countryside is classified as Country Park and, although 7 million people are never far away, it is possible to find pockets of wilderness that will reward the more intrepid tourist.

Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with at least one season to match your comfort zone. Boasting one of the world’s best airports, it is the ideal stopover for those who wish to travel deeper into the Orient.

Quick Facts

Capital: None (formerly Victoria, most government offices located in Central)

Government: Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China

Currency: Hong Kong dollar (HKD)

Area total: 1,092 km2

Water: 50 km2

Land: 1,042 km2

Population: 6,980,412 (July 2007 est.)

Language: Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese (Mandarin), English

Religion: Eclectic mix of local religions 90%, Christian 10%

Electricity: 220V/50Hz (UK plug)
Internet TLD: .hk