Hong Kong, although a small patch of land compared to its neighbour, attracts a whopping 26.5 million tourists annually making it one of the most popular destinations in the world. The city is famous worldwide for its strong economy and breathtaking skyline, especially at night.

Travelling info

All tourists travelling to Hong Kong must have a valid passport. Nationals of about 170 countries and territories may visit Hong Kong without a visa and can stay for periods varying from 7 days to 180 days depending on nationality. (List in sources). Tourists who wish to drive in Hong Kong may do so using their domestic license. An international driving permit is recognised but not required. Traffic moves on the left in Hong Kong.

Travelling hazards

Hong Kong has an excellent road system and very well developed public transportation system. Despite that driving in hong kong can be a huge challenge particularly due to the huge traffic congestion. Many experienced tourists and locals choose public transport over car rental due to quicker movement. Despite massive traffic jams, it is estimated that 90% of locals use public transport to get around the city.

Environmental hazards

There are no large land animals that would pose a threat to people. The only creatures to pose a threat to people are either snakes or marine creatures. There are 14 venomous snakes among which there are cobras, kraits, pit vipers and sea snakes. Beware that the giant Asian hornets are a problem in the countryside of Hong Kong. These territorial insects are fearless and will attack any intruder. Swimming in Hong Kong is generally safe, as long as tourists stick to designated and guarded beaches. Swimming outside of designated areas might be dangerous. Waters of less crowded beaches might be inhabited by various animals which do not openly attack people, but coming into physical contact with might have severe consequences. These animals include earlier mentioned sea snakes, blue-ringed octopus which is capable of delivering a shock enduring sting causing temporary paralysis. This one is odd on the list because it may kill you even after death. Much like the blue-ringed octopus, the pufferfish also contains tetrodotoxin. In many parts of Asia, the fish is considered a delicacy but when cooked incorrectly it can be fatal. In fact, this chemical is actually 100 times more potent than cyanide. So next time you pick fugu on the menu, you better make sure the chef is up to cooking it! Although there are very few shark attacks, these do happen. Sharks are very unlikely to attack anyone close to shore, instead, most attacks happen further out in the sea where people are much more vulnerable.
Droughts, earthquakes, extreme temperatures, floods, mass movements, storms, volcanoes and wildfires were among the natural disasters included in the research. Hong Kong’s natural disasters risk is mainly caused by storms, floods and wildfires. Hong Kong is one of the most disaster-prone cities in the area and the world.

Health hazards

There are no outbreaks of any diseases in Hong Kong currently. There are however several vaccines which are recommended to ensure safe travel. These are the routine vaccines also known as MMR vaccines, hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies vaccines. Hong Kong has been determined to be one of the healthiest places in the world. Because of its early health education, professional health services, and well-developed health care and medication system, residents of Hong Kong enjoy a life expectancy of 85.9 years for women and 80 years for men and is accompanied by an infant mortality rate of 3.8 deaths/1000 births, the fourth lowest in the world. In addition, Hong Kong’s public healthcare is virtually free to the individual. Just like the public sectors, the private medical sector of Hong Kong delivers excellent health services however private services in Hong Kong are among the most expensive in the world. Make sure to purchase medical insurance when travelling to Hong Kong as expats will pay orbital prices in both public and private hospitals to receive treatment.
In case of an emergency dial 999.

Crime

Although Hong Kong is infamous for the Triads, there is very little crime currently. Most crime comes down to petty crime like pickpocketing, bag snatching or theft of unattended goods. This concerns both locals and tourists. Violent such as murder or sexual assault does take place however it is very rare and almost non-existent for tourists. Tourists should watch out in congested areas and on public transport. Pickpockets and thieves can be found throughout the city, therefore, it is always advised to keep to stay cautious when in a crowd of people. There is no terrorism risk in Hong Kong. Illegal drug use in Hong Kong is regarded as a narcotics offence, and if caught penalties include imprisonment for seven years and a fine of HK$1,000,000. (USD$ 130,000)

Summary

Hong Kong is a place where one can enjoy venturing through one of the richest cities in the world or go hiking on amazing mountainous trails. Visiting the city is truly an unforgettable experience. “You can leave Hong Kong, but it will never leave you.” – Nury Vittachi. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.chinahighlights.com/hong-kong/visa.htm
https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/visit-transit/visit-visa-entry-permit.html
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/hong-kong-sar