Geography
Both Hong Kong and Macau are considered two Special Administrative Regions (SARs) of the People’s Republic of China. Hong Kong is located to the east of the Pearl River Estuary at the south-eastern tip of China, surrounded by the South China Sea. The former British colony Hong Kong covers an area of 1,106.66 Km2(427 mi2), consists of Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island, Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories, including 262 Outlying Islands, many of them uninhabited.
Both Kowloon and the New Territories are connected to Mainland China, separated from Hong Kong Island by a narrow Victoria Harbour, one of the world’s most renowned deep-water harbours. Much of the developed land on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and in new towns throughout the New Territories (6% of the total land or about 25% of developed space in the territory) is reclaimed from the sea.
The highest peak in Hong Kong is Tai Mo Shan, located at the New Territories, 957 metres above sea level. Lantau Peak is the highest point on Lantau Island, with a height of 934 metres, famous for the sunrise scenery viewed from the summit. Kowloon Peak is a 602 metres mountain, tallest mountain in Kowloon side, while Victoria Peak, also known as The Peak, is the highest point on Hong Kong Island, with an elevation of 552 metres.
Population
The current population of the Hong Kong is 7,513,166 as of October 2020, based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data. It is equivalent to 0.1% of the total world population, ranking it 104th in the world for population. Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated places in the world and has a population density of 7,140 people per square kilometre (18,492 people per square mile). The median age in Hong Kong is 44.8 years.
93.6% of Hong Kong’s population consists of ethnic Chinese. Most are Taishanese, Chiu Chow, other Cantonese people and Hakka. Most Han people in Hong Kong are from the Taishan and Guangzhou regions. Foreign domestic helpers, mostly come from the Philippines and Indonesia, make up 4% of Hong Kong’s population. Other non-ethnic Chinese in Hong Kong includes Americans, Indians, Nepalese, Pakistanis and other Asians.
A Symphony of Lights
A Symphony of Lights, the world’s largest permanent lighting and music show, combines interactive lights of 39 buildings and three attractions on both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon with musical effects to showcase the vibrancy and glamorous night vista of Victoria Harbour. This multi-media show has always been the signature icon for Hong Kong, symbolising its dynamic energy and contrasting culture. The show lasts for about 10 minutes and it would be staged on both sides of the Victoria Harbour, starting at 8:00pm every night.
The music of the show and the best viewing locations are at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Avenue of Stars and the promenade at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wanchai. You can also enjoy the show onboard sightseeing ferries in the Victoria Harbour (own expenses).
| Address: | Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre / Avenue of Stars |
| Time: | 8pm nightly. The show lasts for about 10 minutes. |
| MTR: | Tsim Sha Tsui Station (Exit E) or East Tsim Sha Tsui Station (Exit J) |
| Address: | The promenade at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wanchai |
| Time: | 8pm nightly. The show lasts for about 10 minutes. |
| MTR: | Wanchai Station (Exit A5) |
| Note: | The show is free for public enjoyment and no admission ticket is required. |
| Remarks: | When Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.3 or above or Red/Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued at or after 3:00pm on the show day, the Show will be cancelled. No show will be staged even if the signal is removed before 8:00pm on that day. |
Lantau Island – Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car
The opening hours of Ngong Ping cable car service is between 10:00am and 6:00pm daily.
| Address: | Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal |
| Opening Hours: | 10:00am – 6:00pm (Weekdays) 10:00am – 6:00pm (Weekends and Public Holidays) |
| MTR: | Tung Chung Station (Exit B) |
‘Walking with Buddha’ and ‘Motion 360’ will remain closed.
*The Big Buddha is currently undergoing renovations and areas in the vicinity of the Big Buddha statue will be closed to the public during the maintenance period*
All other religious ceremonies and events will continue as usual and visitors and tourists are welcome.
Theme Parks Opening Hours
 | Hong Kong Disneyland Park(Resume operations on 25 September 2020)Address:Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Lantau Island, Hong KongPark Hours: 10:30am – 7:30pm (Closed on Tuesday and Thursday – Except public holidays and designated days)MTR:Disneyland Resort Station |
 | Ocean Park (Resume operations on 18 September 2020)Address:Ocean Park Hong Kong, 180 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, Hong KongPark Hours:10:00am – 6:00pm (Weekdays) 10:00am – 7:00pm (Weekends and Public Holidays)MTR:Ocean Park Station |
Hong Kong’s Official Business Hours
Opening hours vary from business to business, but here is a rough guide:
- Most offices will open from 9am to 6pm or longer from Monday to Friday, depending on the type of business. Many will also open from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
- Major banks open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
- Retail shops generally open from 10am to 7pm daily, although those in popular shopping areas such as Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui will stay open until 9:30pm or even later, especially on weekends. Many shops in Hong Kong remain open every day, except the first two days of Chinese New Year.
- Restaurants tend to stay open until around 11pm, while bars, clubs, and some fast food outlets will close in the wee hours, with plenty of them operating all night, particularly in popular nightlife hubs such as Lan Kwai Fong and Wan Chai.
Summer Sales / Winter Sales Seasons in Hong Kong
The best time for shopping in Hong Kong is during the two sales seasons:
Summer sales run from July to September and winter sales from December to February (especially around Christmas and Chinese New Year). However, the exact sales period may vary from shop to shop.
