Business or Pleasure
The only way to get a true picture of Hong Kong is to visit it. Over two million visitors come each year on business or pleasure-in many cases, a combination of both. There are some 50 hotels with 15,000 rooms available. These rooms are of all grades, from modest single ones to luxurious suites on a par with the best in the world. Facilities for holding exhibitions, seminars, business meetings and conferences of varying sizes are also readily available.
The Hong Kong Tourist Association, a Government sponsored organisation, provides services for visitors, including information on the main tourism producing markets, the hotel industry, and all other travel plant developments.
Immigration Requirements
Nationals of certain countries do not require visas for short visits. For example, nationals of the United Kingdom require them only for visits exceeding six months. Nationals of other British Commonwealth countries, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland require them only for visits exceeding three months; and nationals of Australia, the Federal Republic of Germany and the USA require visas only for visits exceeding one month.
All persons other than British subjects require visas before entering into employment, establishing a busi- ness, or attending a school as a student. Visas should be obtained from a British consular office before departure, as visitors are not normally allowed to change their status after arrival. Short term visitors are required to hold return or onward tickets and to have adequate funds to cover the duration of their stay.
Climate
Hong Kong lies within the tropics but, unlike other tropical places, it experiences distinct seasonal changes in weather. The winter months are character- ised by frequent outbreaks of cold and often dry air. It is not uncommon during January, February and March for temperatures to drop below 10°C, although the mean temperatures from December to March are around 15°C to 18°C.
In summer, the weather is tropical: hot and humid with occasional showers or thunderstorms. Winds are generally moderate in strength. Afternoon tempera- tures frequently exceed 32°C between June and September, with mean temperatures around 27°C to 29°C.
Tropical cyclones are most common from July to September. In an average year, about five can be expected to cause strong winds, and one to cause gale-force winds or higher. The severe weather associated with a tropical cyclone usually affects Hong Kong for one to three days.
Spring is characterised by cloudy skies, periods of light rain or drizzle, and occasionally very humid conditions with coastal fog. Autumn is usually sunny and dry, and is only occasionally interrupted by tropical cyclones or outbreaks of cold air, generally making it the best time for a visit.
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Above: the standard of education is high, and learning can be fun too, as these expatriate children find out; below L: golf enthusiasts on the course at Fanling; below R: City Hall concert, one of many cultural events provided by the Urban Council.
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