Hong Kong travel resources
Skyscraper harbour views, Kowloon street markets, Lantau's hills and outlying islands, and country parks a short ride from the city.
Quick facts
- Currency
- Hong Kong dollar (HKD)
- Language
- Chinese (Cantonese), English
- Best time to visit
- Nov–Dec (sunshine and comfortable temperatures) Compare countries by month
- Emergency
- 999 Emergency numbers by country
- Plug types
- D, G, M Plug types by country
- Drives on
- Left Driving side by country
- Government travel advice
- UK Canada How to read it
General guidance; seasons vary by region. Plug types from Wikipedia's mains electricity by country table; currency and driving side from Wikidata; emergency numbers checked against UK government travel advice in . Check the latest advice for entry rules and safety before you book.
Before you go
- GOV.UK says Hong Kong is part of China but, as a Special Administrative Region, has its own immigration controls. Check its entry rules on the Hong Kong Immigration Department’s visit and transit page, not mainland China’s.
- GOV.UK says British citizens can visit for up to 6 months without a visa, and their passport must be valid for at least one month after they plan to leave.
Top destinations in Hong Kong
Travel resources
- Discover Hong Kong (Hong Kong Tourism Board)
- Hong Kong Observatory: precautions when typhoon signals are in force
Travel tips
- Check the Hong Kong Observatory’s typhoon signals daily from May to November. It says tropical cyclones normally occur then and are particularly prevalent during September, and GOV.UK says public transport shuts down under a Typhoon 8 signal.
- Leave e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products at home. GOV.UK says it is prohibited to bring them into Hong Kong, including in personal luggage.
- Leave CBD oils, creams and food products behind. GOV.UK says Hong Kong classifies CBD as a dangerous drug and all cannabis products are illegal.
- Read GOV.UK’s summary of Hong Kong’s national security laws before you travel. It says they apply to everyone regardless of nationality and can be interpreted broadly.
- Keep passports and cards close in crowded areas and when checking in and out of hotels. GOV.UK says violent crime is low but pickpocketing happens.
Booking a hotel or tour in Hong Kong? See which review sites to trust and five checks before you pay.