Hong Kong Disabled Travelers & Others

Disabled Travelers

Barrier-free travel is now widely available in Hong Kong, helping to ensure wheelchair-bound visitors have an enjoyable and hassle-free stay. There are a variety of services available, so it is wise to plan ahead and to give advance notice so that the best possible service can be provided.

The websites below can assist disabled travelers in planning their Hong Kong trip:
Social Welfare Department:
Provides information on public transport, Rehabus Service and an accessibility guide for the disabled.

http://cyberable.swd.gov.hk/eng/facility/traffic_index.html
Transport Department:
Provides a downloadable handy guide to public transport for people with disabilities.

Also the following information is available:

-Parking information

-Pedestrian Crossing Facility for Visually Impaired Person

http://www.td.gov.hk/

Business Hours
Normal office hours in Hong Kong are 9am - 5pm on weekdays, and 9am - 1pm on Saturdays. Major Banks are open 9am - 4:30pm on weekdays, and 9am - 12:30pm on Saturdays. Closed Sundays and public holidays. In 2006, the HKSAR Government started to adopt a five-day workweek for Hong Kong civil servants. Operating standards are being maintained through extended hours for certain weekday counter services and use of alternative means of government dealings. Emergency and essential services are not affected.

The vast majority of shops are open every day throughout the year, some only closing during the Chinese New Year holiday. Generally, opening hours are 10am-7pm. However, many stores in busy retail areas like Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui stay open until 9:30pm or even later, particularly on weekends. Shops in Central close as early as 7pm. Most restaurants stay open until 11pm or later, while some bars and clubs in areas such as Lan Kwai Fong, Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui keep going through the night.

Religions
Hong Kong is a multicultural and secular city with a multiracial population living in harmony. Tolerance for the customs and traditions of all religions and ethnic groups is part of the city's cosmopolitan philosophy. People are free to openly worship according to their own beliefs.

Facts & Figures
Geography
Hong Kong is situated on the southeastern coast of China and covers an area of 1,104 square kilometers (425 square miles). It comprises Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, which includes 262 outlying islands. The climate is sub-tropical.
Population
More than 7 million.
Electricity
220V / 50Hz UK plug
Time Zone
GMT +8
International Calling Code
Dial +852 to call a Hong Kong number from overseas. There are no regional codes.

Useful Numbers
Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance) 999
Police Hotline 2527 7177
Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Hotline (multilingual) 2508 1234
Hong Kong International Airport 2181 8888
Hong Kong Immigration Department 2824 6111
Department of Health 2961 8989
Consumer Council 2929 2222
RTHK's service hotline (New line) for the latest news 2272 0000
Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong 2807 0707
Customs and Excise Department Enquiry Hotline 2815 7711
Hong Kong Post 2921 2222
Weather (Hong Kong Observatory) 1878 200
Hong Kong Hotels Association Hotel Reservation Hotline 2383 8380 / 2769 8822
Directory Enquiries 1081
International Services 10010
International Enquiries Service
(Country Codes & World Time Inquiries) 10013