- Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous enclave of the People's Republic of China. It is a fiercely capitalistic society in what is supposed to be a communist country. Hong Kong was a colony of the United Kingdom until 1997 when it was returned to China. The Chinese government retained Hong Kong's capitalism and uses the city as a bridge of sorts with the western world. It is a center of business, finance and trade. The city is also a tourist destination luring travelers from all over the world. It is also a major hub for airlines flying throughout Asia.
- Hong Kong covers an area of about 423 square miles. It sits on a peninsula called Kowloon and an archipelago consisting of more than 200 islands. The largest and most populated ones are Lantau Island and Hong Kong Island.
- Hong Kong is on the southern coast of China adjacent to the South China Sea. It is surrounded by Hong Kong Harbor which is one of the busiest and more productive ports in the world. The terrain is rocky and hilly. The people of Hong Kong make the most of it. Skyscrapers tower into the clouds precariously perched on steep hillsides.
- British forces occupied Hong Kong Island in 1841 during the First Opium War. The Chinese refused to allow the British to trade opium there so the British took it by force. The territory was officially ceded to the British by the Treaty of Nanking when the First Opium War ended. The British expanded the territory to include Kowloon Peninsula in 1860 after the Second Opium War. They gained control of Lantau Island and the New Territories in 1898 with a 99-year lease from the Chinese government. In 1997 that lease was up and the United Kingdom returned control of the entire colony of Hong Kong to China. According to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, Hong Kong is supposed to be a special administrative region until 2047.
- Hong Kong is a great place to shop. You can find just about anything you want in the markets. The Temple Street Night Market is legendary with hundreds of street vendors will selling just about everything. Hong Kong tailors are also legendary. Custom-made clothes can be sewn for you in just a few days. Hong Kong also features amazing culinary delights. Dim Sum restaurants are everywhere and you can eat as much or as little as you want. You can keep expenses down by eating at Chinese bakeries. They serve delicious pastries as well as dishes featuring meat and other hearty fare. There is a Chinese bakery on just about every corner in Hong Kong.
- Hong Kong is packed with attractive features. Hong Kong Island has the view from Victoria Peak, Aberdeen with the "junks" floating in the harbor and the beach at Shek O. Lan Kwai Fong is known for its night life. You can take a ferry to Lantau Island and admire the Giant Buddha statue or head to neighboring Macau to experience the Portuguese influenced former colony.
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While Hong Kong is a special administrative region, it is still part of the People's Republic of China. There is a great deal of freedom moving around Hong Kong, but do not attempt to go into restricted areas. Protesting or bringing a lot of attention to yourself may alert the police. You will be subject to Chinese laws and their standards of civil behavior.
Always carry your passport with you. Make sure all your documentation is in order before departing for Hong Kong. Your passport must be valid for at least one month more than you plan to stay in Hong Kong. Since many surrounding countries require six months validity remaining on your passport it is a good idea to maintain that standard.
Airlines may not allow you on their planes if your passport isn't valid for the proper period of time. Americans don't need visas for stays up to 90 days but must get permission from the Hong Kong Immigration Department to stay longer.
A visa is required if you want to study or work in Hong Kong. If traveling with children take their birth certificates and custody documents with you.
The Immigration Department sometimes requires additional proof of custody. Crime in Hong Kong is relatively low but still be cautious at night and in remote areas. Treat it like any other big city.
