Page 6 - Hong Kong & China 2019

Travel Tips

Li River Chinese Lions

When to Go Currency
Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with distinct seasons. It can be visited Hong Kong: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
year-round. The warmest months are from late May to September. The cooler,
dryer winter months are from December to February. Some shops close for Macau: The Pataca (MOP)
the Chinese New Year that runs from mid-January to February. For a less China: Renminbi (RMB) Yuan (CNY)
expensive holiday, avoid travelling around Chinese national holidays.
Major credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are widespread throughout
Macau has a tropical climate and the weather is generally hot and humid.
Hong Kong and Macau.
China has variable weather conditions due to its size. Spring and autumn offer
a pleasant climate with beautiful blooming flowers and autumn hues, while May Chinese currency is difficult to find outside of China, therefore USD or
to August in the centre and north can be hot. This summer period can be busy Australian currency is the best currency to take. Notes should be in good
because it is a peak travel time for Chinese families and students on holidays. condition or they may not be exchanged. Most credit cards are accepted
Snowfall can occur in the north from December to March, but this time can be in hotels and major restaurants.
better value with stunning scenery.
Tipping
Golden Week Tipping is discretionary. As a guide, most restaurants in Hong Kong and
China has three Golden Weeks in January/February, April/May and October. Macau will levy a 10% service charge.
During these times, attractions are at least three times busier than at other
peak times, hotels are often booked out, and train and air tickets are in Language
high demand. Hong Kong: Cantonese and English are the official languages. Communicating
with locals is easy as English is widely spoken.
Visas & Passports
A valid passport with at least six months’ validity beyond the intended stay Macau: Chinese and Portuguese are the official languages, with Cantonese
is required in Hong Kong, Macau and China. New Zealand passport holders and English being widely spoken.
do not require a visa for visits of up to 90 days in Hong Kong and 30 days China: Mandarin is the official language in China. There are also numerous
in Macau. All visitors require a visa when travelling in China and this must be dialects spoken throughout different parts of China, including Cantonese.
obtained before departing New Zealand. Travellers spending time in China English is becoming widely spoken in major cities.
as a stopover can apply for a 24, 72, or 144 hour Transit Visa. Travel advice
is available from the New Zealand Government at www.safetravel.govt.nz. Temperature
Time Temperature Average
Hong Kong and China are both 5 hours behind New Zealand Standard Country Summer (Jun – Aug) Winter (Dec – Feb)
Time (NZST). Hong Kong 26ºC to 32ºC 14ºC to 21ºC
Electricity Macau 26ºC to 32ºC 12ºC to 20ºC
Hong Kong & Macau: 220-240V 50Hz. An adapter is required. Southern China 25ºC to 33ºC 11ºC to 19ºC
China: 220V 50Hz. An adapter is required. Northern China 25ºC to 33ºC -6ºC to 4ºC
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