Time
The local time in Hong Kong is GMT + 8.

Currency
The currency units is the Hong Kong dollars (HK$). It is pegged with the US Dollar at a rate of HK$7.8 to US$1, with narrow fluctuations. Most foreign currencies and traveller's cheques can easily be exchanged in banks, hotels or money changers. Major credit cards are widely accepted in shops and restaurants throughout Hong Kong. Major banks are open from 9am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12:30pm on Saturday. They close on Sundays and public holidays. Some banks and branches are open slightly longer hours. Some banking services are not available an hour before closing.

Electricity
The electricity voltage in Hong Kong is 220V. The plug/socket system is a 3-rectangular-pin type.

Food & Eating Out
Dining out is a gourmet's delight, an exciting adventure with a limitless choice of restaurants & dishes. There are more than 30,000 restaurants in Hong Kong providing visitors with a truly international culinary experience. Treat yourself to anything you savour, from the cuisine in different regions of China to the spices of our Asian neighbours, from the classic dishes of continental Europe to the traditional cuisine of North America, and from vegetarian to exotic dishes. In Hong Kong, seafood is a passion, and only the best and the freshest is offered. For a light lunchtime treat, dim-sum is a typical Chinese delight.

Language
Chinese and English are the official languages in Hong Kong. All road signs, menus and tourist publications are mostly bilingual. Cantonese is the predominant Chinese dialect widely spoken here while Putonghua has become more popular here nowadays.

Safety & Security
Hong Kong is considered a very safe city both at night and during the day. As everywhere, however, protect yourself from pickpockets and carry as little cash and valuables as possible. Use a hotel safe-deposit box to store valuables. The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) has stations and reporting centres throughout the territory.

Shopping
Hong Kong is a shopper's paradise. The diversity of items available will astonish even the most seasoned shopper. It is a heaven of choice, the best buys being Chinese handicrafts, silks, jades, jewellery, fashion, custom-made garments, and audio and video equipment. There are classic shopping malls, designer boutiques, street stalls and open markets. They are open everyday, usually from morning to night. Nothing could be simpler than shopping in Hong Kong.

Transportation
For the transportation from Hong Kong International Airport to the Conference venue or your hotel, please visit the website http://www.hongkongairport.com. It is easy to travel around in Hong Kong by public transport. Fleets of taxis, buses, trams, harbour ferries, complemented by the reliable service of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) system, enable visitors to explore Hong Kong on their own, safely and conveniently. For details of the lines and fares for the MTR, please visit http://www.mtr.com.hk.

Climate
The weather in Hong Kong in July is hot and sunny with a temperature range of 28°C to 35°C. Humidity is near 80%. Please visit the Hong Kong Observatory's website at http://www.hko.gov.hk for more updated weather conditions.

Visa
Hong Kong has a liberal visa policy that allows visa free entries (for periods of seven days to six months) to nationals of more than 170 countries. Those who do require visas should apply at the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate. It is advisable to apply for a visa at least six weeks before the journey. For country-specific visa information, please visit http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas.htm.

To further enhance the experience of those coming to Hong Kong for international conferences and exhibitions, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has tailor made a website, "Leisure Tips for Exhibition and Convention Visitors".