Hongkong

Thanks to a stopover, we had a whole evening and a whole night in Hong Kong. Once we arrived, we drove up to the victoria peak cause we wanted to see the sunset. Since our flight was delayed, it was already dark. However, the view is breathtaking at any time of the day. The city is at your feet. Everything seems so small up here. But when you‘re in the middle of the fray, Hong Kong is huge. Lights are flashing everywhere, people are running around in chaos, there is super delicious food on every corner.

But as soon as the night falls, all the food stalls close and people disappear. I always thought Hong Kong was a city that never sleeps. However, at some point we were alone on the streets, nothing was open, there were no people anywhere. We hadn‘t booked a hotel so we had to spend the night outside. In Lan Kwai Fong there was still a lot going on. We strolled through the alleys and enjoyed the cool breeze in the park. After our personal highlight, breakfast in a typical dim sum restaurant, we headed to the airport again. I think most of all the fabulous food and all those bright lights will be remembered.

For the entry you need a valid passport. Travel documents must be valid for one month longer than the intended length of stay at the time of entry. However, if you‘d like to travel to other country in Southeast Asia, travel documents should be valid for as much as six months beyond the planned stay. German nationals do not need a visa to enter and stay for up to 90 days.

If you travel to Hong Kong, you must definitely be vaccinated against measles. WHO has declared that omitting the vaccine as a „threat to global health“. However, no vaccinations are required when entering from Germany. The standard vaccinations are definitely always recommended. It is also recommended to vaccinate against hepatitis A and B, rabies and typhoid.

You should always have at least a copy of your health insurance and a copy of your health card. It is also recommended to close a foreign travel health insurance during your trip. Medical care in Hong Kong is excellent, but it can be expensive. Watch out for water from the faucet. You should also be careful with food. Air pollution in Hong Kong can lead to medical problems, especially for people with pre-existing conditions.

The food in Hong Kong is amazing! From stalls to world-class restaurants, Hong Kong offers a wide variety of choices when it comes to food. There are some famous dishes you have to try like: wontons, dim sum, roast goose, pineapple bread, all kinds of soup, egg waffles, pork buns,... I could list so many dishes ... You just have to come to Hong Kong and try everything. Do not ask yourself what the dish contains. You just have to try and enjoy it.

There are well functioning metro (MRT), bus and ferry connections. You can use an express train to Chek Lap Kok Airport, as well as to Shenzhen and Guangzhou with international passport control. In Hong Kong, left-hand traffic applies. Although the German driver‘s license is recognized, taking the international driver‘s license is recommended. In cars, taxis and minibuses you have to use a seat belt, which can be punished in case of disregard with a fine.

The climate is subtropical with mild, changeable winters and humid summers. Hong Kong often experiences monsoon rains. It can cause flooding. Main typhoon season is from May to October. The warmest months are from June to September with average maximum temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius. The climate is pleasant between end of September and April.

National currency is the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD). Cash withdrawals at ATMs and credit card payments are possible everywhere.