Are you travelling to Hong Kong for the first time? If yes, then you must be looking for travel advice, right? Hong Kong is a beautiful, full of life, and enthusiastic city. But there are a few common misconceptions about this amazing city, which as a traveler you need to know about. When you are traveling from India, of course, there will be a lot of cultural differences, but you’ll get to experience much more than you could imagine. Here we’ve put together a few essential things for you to know before you even get there. To learn about them, continue reading.
Visa Requirements
Indians do not require any visa for travelling to Hong Kong. However, there is one specific requirement that they need to meet, and that is the pre-arrival registration (PAR). Fortunately, the process of obtaining PAR has become entirely online, and you can get this pretty easily. The Hong Kong government has implemented this special Hong Kong VISA for Indians to continue the 14 days Per Entry visa-free requirement. Moreover, you need to know that after issued this pre-registration document has a validity of 180 days.
Get an Octopus Card
Picking up an Octopus Card is the best way to use Hong Kong’s super-efficient subway (MTR) system. If you are traveling to the city, then it is recommended to get one of these cards to help you save money on taxis when you are getting around. Octopus card is basically a prepaid card that lets you tap in at the entrance to the MTR. It means you don’t have to pay for your ride. The system will deduct the amount from your card automatically.
How to Communicate
Hong Kong used to be a British colony which was handed back to China in 1997. The main language Hong Kongers speak is a dialect of Chinese called “Cantonese”. Most people speak Cantonese, but Mandarin and English are also spoken there. Since it was a former British colony, many locals speak English fluently. So, when you are traveling from India to Hong Kong, you can easily find someone to communicate with during your trip.
Stand on the Right and Walk on the Left
Not only in Hong Kong but also many parts of the world, this has become an escalator behavior to stand on the right and walk on the left. So, when you are walking anywhere in Hong Kong that has escalators, moving walkway, or a sidewalk, you need to remember this. Many travelers get incredibly annoyed when people block their left side. It is a sign that you are from out of town. However, transport officials in Japan recently issued advice calling on escalator people to stand still at all times and use both sides of the steps to avoid accidents.
What to Pack
Hong Kong never turns off its air conditioners because it is humid, like all the time. Almost every indoor place is freezing cold throughout the year. It means you’ll have to bring lots of layers with you. During hot months, you will be sweating outside one minute and shivering inside a store the next. Similarly, during springtime, you need to carry an umbrella and a trench coat to prepare for the rain. Moreover, be prepared to be walking around a lot and don’t forget to pack good walking shoes with you.
Santosh Kumar is a Professional SEO and Blogger, With the help of this blog he is trying to share top 10 lists, facts, entertainment news from India and all around the world.