Hong Kong SAR began as a sparsely populated island with a few fishing villages. Today, Hong Kong SAR is one of the world's busiest commercial and financial markets, as well as a major manufacturing centre and container port. It is the global gateway to China and easily accessible to other parts of the world. From the early days, when local clans fought for survival, Hong Kong SAR's unique character has unfolded. Its determination to succeed has emerged. The cultures and traditions of East and West, of ancient and modern, are united in Hong Kong SAR, creating a dynamic and cosmopolitan society. People said a day spent in Hong Kong is a lifetime spent anywhere in the world.

With a population of almost 7 million, of which 95% are Chinese, the official languages are Cantonese and English, with a large percentage of the population being bilingual. Cantonese is the most widely spoken local dialect and Putonghua is increasingly being used. Street signs, menus and tourist publications are bilingual.

Hong Kong SAR is a small territory of just 1,091 sq km, nestling on the southern coast of China. It is made up of Hong Kong Island (78 sq km), the Kowloon Peninsula (46 sq km), and the New Territories plus 260 outlying islands (967 sq km).

Hong Kong SAR time is GMT plus 8 hours.

Hong Kong SAR has a subtropical climate. Winter weather in Hong Kong (Mid-December - February) is noticeably cooler than the city's other seasons but is nevertheless mild. Snow is unheard of in Hong Kong and frost occurs only one once or twice a year. Crisp, clear days, with little rain, do make winter a viable time to visit Hong Kong and much more enjoyable than the hot and sticky summers. Sweaters will be needed for most days and a light jacket or coat for evenings. Temperatures never plummet to the bone chilling and the the average temperature lies between 10 – 17°C (50 – 62°F). Rainfall is reasonably uncommon in winter, averaging 30 mm – 40 mm. Humidity between December and February ranges from an average of 74% rising to 82%. This is one of the best times to visit Hong Kong with discomfort level from humidity low.

Dining out in Hong Kong is a gourmet's delight, an exciting adventure with a limitless choice of restaurants and dishes. There are more than 30,000 restaurants in Hong Kong SAR, providing visitors with a truly international eating experience. Visitors will find restaurants offering cuisine of regional China and spices of our Asian neighbours, as well as classic dishes of continental Europe, and traditional cuisine of North America. In Hong Kong SAR, seafood is a passion; only the best and the freshest is offered. The range of restaurants is immense with high standards.

Hong Kong SAR is the shopping gateway of the world. Its diversity will astonish even the most seasoned shopper. It is a haven for choice ? from fashion to furniture, antiques to jewellery, and cameras to computers. The range of choice extends to the shopping environment and there are designer boutiques and street stalls, classic shopping malls and frenetic markets, modern art galleries and antique shops, which are open every day of the week. Nothing could be simpler than shopping in Hong Kong SAR.

Most restaurants add 10% service charge automatically and waiters also expect to pick up loose change. Larger gratuities are expected when there is no service charge. Small tips are common for bellboys, doormen and cloakroom attendants. Taxi drivers also tend to pick up loose change as a tip.

The unit of currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$). It is pegged to the US$ at approximately HK$ 7.8 to US$ 1. Most foreign currencies and traveller's cheques can be changed at banks, money-changers, hotels and major retail outlets. Banks usually offer the best exchange rate. Hong Kong dollar notes are available in $10, $20, $50, $100, $500 and $1,000 denominations. Coins come in 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, $1, $2, $5 and $10 denominations. All major credit cards are widely accepted. For some purchases, the cash price may be lower than the credit card price.

Most offices are open from 09:00 to 17:00 on weekdays. Major banks are open from 09:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and 09:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. Banking and ATM facilities are available within the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The local police force has made the Hong Kong SAR one of the safest cities in the world. However, delegates are advised to carry some form of identification with a photograph at all times.

Local voltage is 220 V at 50 Hz. Adapters can be easily bought, and most hotels have multi-voltage fittings for electric razors. All water direct from government mains supply meets World Health Organization standards. Bottled water is widely available.

Hong Kong SAR is geographically compact with plentiful metered taxis, day and night, which are inexpensive; meters are clearly displayed. Excellent public transportation in the form of buses, trams and the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is relatively cheap and frequent. The famous Star Ferry operates from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central District and Wanchai.

From Hong Kong SAR airport at Chek Lap Kok, you can reach Central District by the Airport Express Line (AEL) in about 30 minutes. Hong Kong SAR's fast, air-conditioned Airbus can also take you directly from the new airport terminal to convenient points including Tsim Sha Tsui, Central and Wanchai, Causeway Bay, Taikoo Shing and Kowloon MTR Stations, which are close to most major hotels. The Airbuses leave from the airport every 10 to 15 minutes and the fare ranges from HK$ 13 to HK$ 48.

In-town check-in facilities are available at Hong Kong AEL station and Kowloon AEL station. Hotel shuttles run between major hotels in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island, and the Hong Kong and Kowloon MTR Stations. Please check with your hotel front desk for more information.

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is within walking distance of the Wanchai MTR Station.

Passengers (12 years of age or older) must pay HK$ 120 on departure; Children younger than 12 years are exempt from the tax. For more information about visiting Hong Kong SAR, please visit the Hong Kong Tourism Board website.

Citizens of most countries do not require a visa to enter Hong Kong SAR for a short-term stay ranging from 14 days to 3 months. If you need advice on individual cases, please address your enquiries to:

• Any Chinese diplomatic and consular mission
• Immigration Department, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
  Tel: (852) 2824 6111
  Fax: (852) 2877 7711
  Website: immd.gov.hk