Travel to Hong Kong

Every couple will try their best to find a unique wedding invitation. This is also the case in Hong Kong. However, couples in Hong Kong often face a dilemma that on one hand they would like to choose some western or modern wedding invitation but on the other hand their parents would like them to have a more traditional design, which is red and gold in color. This may sometimes result in disagreements between the couples and the parents.

Most couples in Hong Kong have a perception that a traditional wedding invitation is something old fashion, choosing such wedding invitations will ruin their perfect wedding. There is no doubt that most "traditional" wedding invitations provided by the printing company (a printing company, not a design firm) looks very old fashion. They are usually red in color with gold color hot stamping contents. They are considered old fashion mainly because all these invitations look very similar.

The only alternative for these "traditional" wedding invitations are what they call "western" style design. There designs are normally white in color, which is totally perfect in the western world. In Chinese culture, however, white color has a meaning of death. People wear white color clothes when their relatives pass away. Without any surprise, the parents will not like this "western designs" and they will ask the couples to go for a traditional red color design.

One may think that these different perceptions between the couple and the parents should not be a problem if they communicate well. Theoretically this proposition should be correct. However, this is usually not the case in reality. The choice of wedding invitation can result in disagreement between the couple and the parents. A real case is that there was a couple who loved the white color "western" style wedding invitation design. They ordered and had the invitations done without even informing their parents. After everything was finished, their parents were furious when they saw the white color wedding invitation.

The couple was really in a dilemma since they had never thought that their parents would not like the white color wedding invitation. They tried their best to persuade their parents but eventually they surrendered and made the wedding invitation once again. In fact many couples admit that they are not really fond of the white color "western" style wedding invitation very much. The reason behind the decision of choosing the white color invitation is that they do not like the traditional red color design. It is probably because these wedding cards look very similar and it seems that there is no choice for a couple even if they would like to go for a red color design.

This is mainly because these red color cards are not properly designed and they are only provided by printing companies, which are not obsessed to produce high quality wedding invitation designs. Professional designers should be able to help to produce more refined red color wedding invitations. For example, a wedding invitation can be designed such that it is basically red in color, which is treated as a folder containing all the cards, and the cards (invitation card, RSVP etc.) are gold in color. This idea of folder is very common in UK or US. They can be easily seen from wedding invitation providers' websites. However, they are very rare in Hong Kong. With this "East meets West" treatment, a couple can get a unique and beautiful wedding invitation and it can at the same time fulfill the requirement of red color by the parents.

From this example we understand that the wedding invitation providers should start change the way of doing business. In the past a printing company was just focusing on printing something that other companies printed. With the higher expectation of the couples, these companies should work with professional designers to create more unique wedding invitations. These wedding invitations should be on one hand creative and unique and on the other hand in line with Chinese culture and traditions. In fact some wedding invitation providers in Hong Kong have already started to explore this possibility. With these designs, the requirements of both the couple and the parents will be fulfilled. The wedding invitation designs from Hong Kong may also become a choice of couples in other places around the world, since these designs combine the cultures and traditions from both East and West.

Hong Kong, also referred to as the 'Pearl of the Orient,' is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the Southeast Asia. Until the arrival of the British in 1842, it was just a typical small village. In 1997, Hong Kong was handed over to China, under the policy 'one country, two systems.' The city has now become one of the vibrant as well as s sought after destinations not only in Asia but also in the world.

Bordered by the South China Sea and Sea, Hong Kong, although a part of China, is different from rest of China. With its own government, stamps, and laws and regulations, the city consists of four geographic areas, such as, the New Territories, Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and the Outlying Islands, all of them packed with a plethora of attractions and facilities. It also consists of more than 200 islands, which consist of both small and tiny islands. In addition, Hong Kong is much famed for its superb deep water harbors. According to the survey conducted by the World Tourism Organization, the city has been ranked among the 15 most preferred tourist destinations in the world.

An incredible city blending the best from the East and West, Hong Kong's attractions, among many others, are Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with its unique curved three-tier roof and glass walls; the covered Central-Mid level Escalator, which is the longest in the world; and Hollywood Road, packed with a range of antique and curio shops selling Buddha statues, Japanese specialties like ikebana baskets, Chinese furniture, and snuff and perfume bottles. Despite these attractions, perhaps the most famed attraction of the city is Victoria Peak, from whose summit you can gaze down to enjoy the wonderful vistas of skyscrapers and Victoria Harbor. During nights, the sights from the peak become more dazzling.

Also, of special significance are the temples of the region. Since Buddhism being the most popular religion of the place, Hong Kong has to its credit more than 400 temples, each of which is regarded as not to be a missed tourist attraction. One of the most prominent Buddhist shrines is the Chi Lin Nunnery, located in Kowloon. Considered a living museum of the Tang Dynasty, it has been stunningly renovated in the traditional Tang-era architecture with several magnificent Buddhist halls. Another popular Buddhist shrine is Po Lin Monastery, whose focal point is a bronze statue of the Lord Buddha, which is the largest in the world. In addition to Buddhist shrines, the place also consists of several other popular shrines such as St John's Cathedral, which is considered to be the oldest in the Far East and Shelley Street Mosque, which is noted for its minaret of green and white colors.

A visit to Hong Kong would be incomplete without taking a tour to many of its fascinating museums, showcasing unique art and antiquities representing several aspects of the place such as its history, film industry, space and science, and coastal defense. Some of the most visited museums in the region are Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, Hong Kong Film Archive, Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences, Hong Kong Racing Museum, Hong Kong Planning and Infrastructure Exhibition Gallery, and Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre. Attractions also include a continuum of beautiful beaches, including Repulse Bay, the most spectacular among the city's beaches; Deep Water Bay, which is connected by a pathway to the Repulse Bay Beach; Turtle Cove, a tranquil beach; Golden Beach, the first artificial beach in Hong Kong; and Hung Shing Yeh - a marvelous beach on the Lamma Island.

Also, the gastronomy of the place is amazing, with specialized areas for enjoying remarkable delicacies, like, SoHo with a variety of restaurants serving international cuisine; Gage Street, dotted with an array of stalls, from where one can enjoy the best of Hong Kong style cuisines comprising noodles, soups, pastries, and herbal teas; and floating style restaurants found in Aberdeen. Apart from this, excellent options are available for shopping, with areas like Lyndhurst Terrace packed with shops selling ancient paintings and maps; Stanley Street, considered a paradise for shopping cameras and film accessories; and Li Yuen Streets, dotted with shops selling knick-knacks, leather items, and casual wear.

With these fabulous attractions and options to enjoy a variety of activities, tourists flock to Hong Kong all year round. No matter you want budget or luxury accommodation, the city has options to cater to all types of tourists. Majority of the hotels and resorts are located within the heart of the city, and hence are within easy reach of almost all top tourist attractions. Nowadays, many of the hotels, both budget and luxury accommodation, have their own sites on the web, which in turn enables the visitors to check price and room as well as make bookings in advance.

Hong Kong Disneyland is a world-class theme park and resort which is a must visit place on any journey to Hong Kong. This wonder Disney Land is located on scenic Lantau Island and is a 30-minute MTR (Mass Transit Railway) ride from Central Hong Kong. It is located in a setting that could only be offered by the Hong Kong's Disneyland. This amazing place offers magical experiences ranging from Broadway style shows, Festival of the Lion King and The Golden Mickey's, hilarious 3D movie and music adventure at Mickey's Philharmagic, signature Disney attractions, photo taking with your favourite Disney friends, spectacular fire works and parades for the entire family.

There are four themed lands in the Hong Kong Disneyland, which you will come across when you visit the place. They are the Main Street USA, the Fantasyland, the Adventure land and the Tomorrow land. Each themed land has specialty stores from where you can get memorabilia and souvenirs. They also have various restaurants, which offer a wide variety of food to choose from. All in all Hong Kong Disneyland gives you an unforgettable experience. The transport between the hotels and the park is also included in the tour.

As one of the newest Disneylands in the world, Hong Kong Disneyland is a must-see place because of its special attractions and the inimitable sense of Chinese culture. While walking into Hong Kong Disneyland, you will feel you are in a wonderland. Accompanied by Mickey Mouse and other Disney friends, you will start a fantastic and magical journey. With unique scenic spots and Disney Theme Hotels, you can escape from the real world, and make your dreams come true. The availability of delicious Chinese and Asian food is also an attraction for many visitors and Disney fans.

The first theme park you will come across is Main Street USA. After entering Main Street, you will be amazed by the delicate buildings, dim gas lamp and Paddy Wagon passing by. Antique taxicabs, Disneyland Railroad and the City Hall transports will take you back to America of the early 20th century. There are Chinese elements too in the land. After the excitement of Main Street USA you will enter the Adventure land. Guided by a brave captain, Jungle River Cruise will take you into the heart of hidden regions. Hippos, cobras, elephants, orangutans and startling jungle events are waiting for you. As an attraction originally conceived by Walt Disney fifty years ago, it has been given an entirely new appearance with exciting 21st century Disney magic especially for Hong Kong Disneyland Park.

Then you will come across the fantasies of the Fantasyland. Cinderella Carrousel, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Sword in the Stone, Mad Hatter Tea Cups, Sleeping Beauty Castle, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Snow White Grotto to make all your storybook dreams come true. You can also join Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and many other friends at a dizzying 3-D attraction in Mickey's Philharmagic.

Leaving the fantasies you will join the Tomorrow land. Screaming in Space Mountain, you will have no time to appreciate the sparkling stars because of the exciting roller coaster. In Buzz Light year Astro Blasters, you can fly in your space capsule and fight against the aliens with your space gun. After this exciting tour you have a choice of Disney Theme Hotels all with matchless accommodations. Experience the excitement that Disney has been offering for decades. We invite you to come and see Hong Kong's Disneyland park for entertainment and leisure for the whole family.

With more than 250 islands, Hong Kong is the special administrative region of China. Earlier a British colony, Hong Kong became a part of China in 1997, under a special agreement. Hong Kong has now become one of the prominent economies of the region.

Since an ex-British colony, a strong westernized influence is prevalent in Hong Kong's culture. Al though, the majority of population of the city is the Chinese, the area does have a significant contingent of other nationals including Americans, Australians, British, Canadians, Japanese, and Koreans, as Hong Kong offers a great stop for Western business firms who want to crack the local market. Further, the liberal tax system has attracted many Expats to fill employment options in the region. Hence, it is no wonder why property market is booming in Hong Kong.

Among the accommodation options available in Hong Kong, perhaps the most sough after one is apartments. An apartment in Hong Kong is a self contained residential unit, which is mostly a part of a large building or property. For many reasons, both expatriates and natives choose to live in Hong Kong apartments. Perhaps the most important reasons are convenience and lifestyle it renders.

Another prime reason to choose apartments as dwelling place is that it allows to live in an environment of sophistication and luxury. When it comes to expatriates, these apartments provide them a feeling of living in their home country, thereby enabling them to lead a smoother life in the region. Additionally, living in Hong Kong apartments avoids the problems with the language barrier. Above all, a foreigner who wishes to own an apartment in Hong Kong need not have to comply with any specific legal requirement.

Based on your requirements, you can choose from a continuum of superb apartments, from garden and furnished apartments to self contained and serviced apartments. There are also apartments that are specially designed for students, such as, student apartments.

Mostly, this type of apartment comes complete with superb facilities including excellent accommodation, high speed internet access, and uninterrupted power as well as water supply. Further, many of these apartments are located within the easy reach of top academic institutions in Hong Kong. All of this provides a great atmosphere in order to promote your academic success. For those seeking luxury, then one of the best choices would be stunning serviced apartments coupled with extensive recreational as well as sporting facilities. Usually, these apartments range from 1000 to 5000 sq ft.

Different types of apartments in Hong Kong are further categorized into duplex apartments, studio apartments, and townhouses. Duplex apartments are mostly situated on the bottom floor, and range from small building with two to five apartments to large property with more than 50 or 60 apartments. A studio apartment is an accommodation facility with a large living area, apart from a kitchen and bath area. In townhouses, a family will get more space as well as a comfortable feel. One of the specialties of townhouses is that mostly they are located in rows.

Likewise, depending upon the members of the family, apartments types include apartments with one bedroom - which come with built-in wardrobes, luxury bathrooms, and fully equipped kitchen; two-bedroom apartments, which in most cases garage unit will be included in the price; and three-bedroom apartment, which is much spacious and inclusive of high end comforts such as kitchen, lounge, laundry, and a marvelous terrace.

One of the prime advantages of living in Hong Kong apartments is that it enables you to live amid diverse community. Another advantage is that you will be always surrounded by a large number of neighbors and friends. If you acquire apartments on rental or lease basis, then some of the apartments charge rent, which is sometimes inclusive of electricity, local telephone service, cable TV hook up, and trash disposal. Another great benefit of owning an apartment in Hong Kong is that it serves as an excellent long term investment.

For example, according to certain recent records, a luxury three-bedroom apartment in Hong Kong cost about $9000 per month to rent. Benefits of living in apartments also include low maintenance cost. Many of the people living in Hong Kong are engaged in high powered jobs, which make them difficult to maintain a single detached home. But, living in an apartment allows you to avoid lengthy commutes and eliminate high maintenance charges.

Owning or renting an apartment in Hong Kong is no longer a chaotic process. A plethora of real estate companies and construction companies are there in order to help finding your dream apartment. However, the prices of apartments in Hong Kong are exceptionally high.

The economic gateway to China - Hong Kong is one of the most popular destinations in the world, with a lively property market. With the increased awareness of property enhancement, improvement in market laws, and innovative requirements of people, property management now finds a prominent position in the Hong Kong property market.

Managing property in Hong Kong is a burgeoning industry, and is considered a core segment of facility management services. In other words, managing property is one of the prominent service industries in the city. Management of property in Hong Kong is simply the managing of property as well as providing services in connection with the property management, to owners, tenants, and other required people.

The prime goal of managing property is to maintain the value of a property by creating and preserving a comfortable as well as well-ordered living, working, and shopping. Managing property is sometimes confused with tenancy management, which is primarily the enforcement of the Housing Ordinance, tenancy agreements, and implementation of housing rules and regulations.

A large number of firms in Hong Kong, ranging from small business units and governmental departments to large business corporations, are now benefited from managing property. Property management is categorized into: management of residential property and management of commercial property. Managing residential property in Hong Kong includes managing residential spaces, from small houses to premium as well as luxury residential units.

Services offered in connection with managing residential property include:

In commercial management of property, the services are mostly offered for large commercial areas, with more than seven million sq ft. Among the services offered in connection with this type of managing of property is:

In some instances, services in connection with management of commercial property are inclusive of

Apart from these, there are service providers offering excellent services for office and industrial sectors. Above all, some kind of service providers renders simple tenancy management services, aside from management of property.

The services in this category usually cover providing info on housing policies and procedures to required people, dealing with standard forms and notification letters, assisting people in filling tenancy related forms and applications, and arranging meeting for tenancy related purposes. Let it be any type of property management, the services also include quality maintenance of plumbing system, thereby ensuring the people of Hong Kong with a stable as well as reliable water supply system.

Managing property offers a host of benefits. One of the prime benefits is that it ensures meticulous care and maintenance of your residential as well as commercial places. Professional as well as personal assistance and useful advice on property maintenance are the other benefits of managing property in Hong Kong.

One of the most significant executants of property management in the city is Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) - a statutory body responsible for the implementation of majority of public housing programs in Hong Kong, which include rental housing system, housing for elderly people, and subsidized home ownership.

As one of the major housing developers in the property market, Hong Kong Housing Authority has introduced an innovative system ensuring excellence in the sector of public housing property management system. Recently, HA undertook a special management system, exclusively for managing property and tenancy system in Hong Kong, known as Public Rental Housing (PRH.) Under this system, HA contracts some of its property management services to property services companies, which in turn discharge a range of duties in connection with property management, like cleaning and maintenance services, repair services, and rent collection.

Apart from HA, executants of managing of property in Hong Kong also consist of a variety of private property management firms, foreign-based service providers, and participatory management organizations. HA has now organized an award for private firms that excel in services in connection with management of property, namely, Best Property Management Award. A specialty of service providers in Hong Kong is that majority of them have excellent knowledge and expertise on the mainland market. This in turn assures quality as well as reliable services to the people of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is probably the best shopping destinations in the world that offer various types of goods and services at reasonable costs. Hong Kong is also one of the world's leading destinations that thrive in shopping mall tourism as well as retail therapy. In fact, Hong Kong is a shoppers' paradise. For tourists visiting Hong Kong, shopping is not only a process of buying several exciting stuffs but also an important recreational as well as fun filled activity.

Since Hong Kong is a free international port, it keeps abreast with the world's latest fashion trends and provides opportunities for the tourists to buy custom-free products that have been brought from across the world. No matter you want to shop fashion accessories, apparels, or electronic items, Hong Kong has superb options for all. Discussed further in this article are some of the most popular shopping areas in Hong Kong that are spread across its three major sections such as the Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and New Territories.

One of the most prominent shopping areas in the Hong Kong Island is the Central District, which is also the economic and financial hub of Hong Kong. With a fusion of designer outlets, high-end shopping malls, and old markets, shopping in the Central District is truly an enjoyable experience. For antique collectors, Central District's such areas as the Cat Street and the Hollywood Road are a great choice, both of which are lined with a number of antique shops.

Likewise, if you want to shop fabrics, souvenirs, handbags, and other fashion accessories at bargain prices, then Des Voeux Road and Queens Road in Central District are some of the popular choices. Further, the Central District is home to the world's longest outdoor covered escalator system, the Midlevel Escalator and Walkway System. Another popular shopping area in the island is Causeway Bay, otherwise known as East Point. This significant shopping district is a great place to shop locally made as well as fashionable items from Japan, with an array of Japanese malls, prominent being the 13-storey Sogo Japanese department store, World Trade Center, Fashion Walk, and Lee Gardens.

Apart from these, Causeway Bay also contains such shopping options as Jardine's Crescent, a popular open market, from where fashionable clothes and items can be bought at great prices. Many of the large scale department stores offer great shopping as well as dining experiences. Prominent shopping areas in the island also include Admirality, which comes with a great number of shopping malls, departmental stores, upscale hotels, and recreational areas. Few among the shopping options available here are Pacific Place and Queensway Plaza. The Admirality stations link Hong Kong Island's MTR Line with the Kowloon Tsuen Wan Line.

Among the significant shopping destinations in Kowloon are Mong Kok, which is a great place for shopping electronic items at bargain rates; Tsim Sha Tsui, an area designed especially for those who want to shop high-end fashion accessories; and Kowloon Tong, whose focal point is the mall Festival Walk, with more than 200 shops. When comes to New Territories, perhaps its most prominent shopping area is Tsing Yi, with a number of glitzy shopping malls.

With these scores of options, visitors touring Hong Kong can shop from morning to late night. But, certain important things have to be considered while shopping in Hong Kong. First of all, don't get swayed away by illegal products. Since Hong Kong consists of a large number of stores selling same products at various prices, a smart shopper must shop around to compare prices and to buy a product at the possible least price. Likewise, it is advisable for the buyers to shop from stores or malls with membership of the Hong Kong Tourist Association.

Additionally, it would be better to shop an electronic item that carries some kind of guarantee or warranty. One can also approach night markets in order to shop several items at exceptionally cheap rates; however, these may not be attached with any kind of guarantee. Above all, do practice bargaining to buy a product in Hong Kong. In case if you are convinced that you are deceived on purchasing a particular item in Hong Kong, then you could complaint it regarding by contacting the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) or via calling the Consumer Council Hotline at 2929 2222.

The Western and Eastern worlds are moving ever closer together, with the relative cheapness and prevalence of air travel, and the advent of that magical medium known as the internet. Business is often done with overseas partners, and a larger percentage of air passengers travel for business than for pleasure. Hong Kong is now one of the world's most multicultural cities, with many overseas companies opening Hong Kong branches.

However, with all of these new experiences and interactions comes confusion and uncertainty, especially in dealing with people from foreign cultures. In this article we look at why a good base for your travels is essential, in the form of a luxury hotel or spa in Hong Kong, and also go through some tips for doing business in Hong Kong.

If you are travelling to Hong Kong for business, be prepared for the pace of life in the city. It has been described as 'frenetic' - much like New York or London. The people that live in Hong Kong are often characterized as entrepreneurial, competitive, hardworking and very commercial. Best not to waste the time of these hard workers! They are very deadline conscious. It is also advisable to have a local contact make initial steps towards business dealings for you. These connections are known as quanxi in Cantonese, one of Hong Kong's official languages, and they help you establish some credibility before you meet your business partners.

Other things to consider when doing business in Hong Kong include local holidays like Chinese New Year. Many people take several weeks holiday around this time - January-February - just as Westerners often do at Christmas. If you are scheduling a meeting, it is best to do so well in advance - these are busy people, remember! Confirm appointments the day before they are scheduled, just in case. While your meeting is in progress, do not discuss politics - the same rules as for family gatherings in the West. To avoid fights, politics and religion are off the conversational cards.

Staying in Hong Kong for business is a great opportunity to experience some of the city's excellent five-star facilities, luxury hotels and spas. The Landmark Mandarin Oriental is a great choice of you are looking to stay in the Central district. This hotel is known for the spaciousness of its rooms and the gorgeous contemporary decor. The business facilities at this Hong Kong luxury hotel include a cable HDTV with keyboard for internet access, wireless internet in all rooms, an in room safe as well as laundry and dry cleaning service. If you want to do some intensive relaxing at your luxury Hong Kong hotel after your intensive business meetings, the Zen-like spa has some excellent treatments and relaxation areas.

The Shangri-La Bangkok is a great luxury hotel for longer trips to Hong Kong. The executive suites are one of the hotel's best features, with a separate living and sleeping area, the option to connect to an additional room to create a two bedroom suite, and a beautiful marble bathroom. The business facilities include an in-house mobile phone (avoid the horrendous roaming charges on your own phone), an ipod docking station, fax, printer and scanner, a high speed data transfer port, and a limousine service. Upon arrival, guests are personally escorted to their rooms, and the personal touch to the service certainly does not end there, with 24-hr butler service and massage facilities.

If you are moving up the corporate ranks, Hong Kong is almost certain to be a business destination for you at some stage. Make use of the city's excellent luxury hotels and spas while you are there, and you'll have an experience as intensely relaxing as it is productive!

As corporate offshore banking becomes less of a money laundering technique, and more of a legitimate way for businesses to reduce their tax obligations and other costs, the benefits of corporate offshore banking are starting to become well known. Certain countries are known as tax havens because of the low tax rates offshore banking services can obtain for their customers, and there is a wealth of information regarding what offshore banking can do for your company. 

Increased privacy, protection of your assets from litigation, risk in your own country, and erosion by fees and charges are some of the most prominent benefits of having your Hong Kong business finance consultancy set up an offshore bank account. Financial consultancies in Hong Kong can also get you better interest returns, assist in inheritance tax planning and allow global access to your assets with offshore bank accounts. We look at what you will need to open a corporate offshore banking account, and how to go about it.

Of course, the easiest way to do offshore bank account opening is to have an expert do it all for you. Look for Hong Kong financial services organizations, or Hong Kong business consultancies where the staff are qualified professionals in their fields. As corporate offshore banking is often conducted in an environment where English is not a native language, look for bilingualism in your Hong Kong financial services company. Business gained by word of mouth for Hong Kong business consultancies also gives them a higher recommendation - it ensures that previous customers are satisfied.

However, for those that like to understand the process themselves, here is a guide to corporate offshore bank account opening. Some of the documents you'll need include a statement of bank account purpose - whether the account will be used for the day-to-day payment of expenses and storage of income, or whether it will be a mostly deposit corporate offshore banking account. The intended annual turnover and the origin of the funds in the account should be included with this information. Put this is with your application whether or not your bank has asked for it.

You should obtain your company's certificate of incorporation; either get a copy from your Hong Kong company incorporation service, or look through your own records. You may, alternatively, need a Certificate of Good Standing. These should be signed and authenticated by the proper authority in your home jurisdiction. Your company's charter, including a memorandum and articles of association as well as your by laws should be included with your corporate offshore banking application, as should your director's mandate if applicable.

You should also get a copy of the registered directors of your company, as well as the registry of shareholders. You will obviously need confirmation of identity documents in order to open a corporate offshore banking account. If you can obtain banking references, have your Hong Kong financial services company obtain them for you, these should included also. You will then need to choose a jurisdiction to bank in. It can be time consuming checking all of the relevant tax legislation, fees and charges. Again, having an offshore banking service or Hong Kong financial consultancy do this for you is highly recommended.

However, the next step of choosing a bank and conducting due diligence on it is more a personal business decision than one for your Hong Kong financial consultancy. After all, you will have to deal with the bank day to day, and ensuring you are happy with their customer service team is essential. Ring their support line and see how long it takes to get an answer if you choose the existing customer option (not the sales option!), as well as checking the security of their online banking offering.

You can drive in Hong Kong using a foreign license on a temporary basis when you arrive for a visit, but if you are contemplating to live here for more than a year, you must acquire a Hong Kong license to drive without any hiccups. For people who have overseas driving license and wish to drive in Hong Kong, a valid driving license may be attained via either apply for a complete driving license by direct issue without test or apply for a temporary driving license.

The heartening news is that if you possess a driving license from a country authorized by the Hong Kong Transport Department, it will be useful when you apply for a Hong Kong license. You will not be required to go through a driving test. And the enjoyable thing is that a Hong Kong license is valid for 10 years. If you are able to avoid the driving test there will be nothing better than that. You will have spent a considerable amount of time for it, and the complete process is a travesty.

'Driving', in the point of view of the examiners here, consists of precisely three skills: performing a three-point turn, parallel parking, and staying away from ever, ever, EVER performing a hand-over-hand turn of the steering wheel. You have to alternate your hands across the wheel to pass!. In Hong Kong people travel on the left in right hand drive cars. This is exactly what you can see in Britain as well. Besides this the traffic lights, road signs, markings, etc. are exactly similar to those in the UK. In China people drive on the right in right hand drive cars and this is similar to that in the US, which makes cross border traffic extremely interesting.

Here switching sides of the road while you are driving is not that difficult. People who learn driving in the States think that they might have to encounter a heap of trouble driving in HK. In reality this is not the case at all. Your brain adapts to the changes quite automatically. Some people even find it tougher to adapt to being a pedestrian here than to being a driver, because when you are walking along the street, you tend to forget which way you are required to check first for oncoming traffic.

The following are some tips on driving in Hong Kong for fresh arrivals in the Territory and wishing to acclimatize with the new surroundings. You should not use the turn indicator in any kind of situations. It is there for no specific purpose other than just display. Fit a fat exhaust in your car. In doing so, you may try to drive in an imaginative fashion. Even if such driving is risky it is always advisable to have fat exhaust in your car because with it you can be better than anyone else.

The hazard lights have to be considered as a multipurpose accessory and not something which should be used only under an emergency situation. You can access them whenever you need them. They can convey that: "you are turning; you are braking; you are altering the CD; you are a human; you are puzzled" among other things. If you happen to be a part of a prang with another car, never resign to the side of the road to permit free passage of other traffic. What you have to do is, leave your cars on the accident location and communicate the issue of the microscopic scratch on the bumper with the owner of the other car, even though HK laws require you to move to the side of the road. If you are circumspect and a little bit cunning you can enjoy a pleasant and comfortable driving experience in the roads of Hong Kong.

If you're traveling to Hong Kong on business or vacation, you'll need to know the cost saving ways to get around the city without it costing an arm and a leg. This handy guide will show you how to save money when visiting Hong Kong on your next trip.

Airbus Instead of Airport Express
When you arrive in Hong Kong from your long flight, you'll want to take the Airbus instead of the Airport Express or taxi. While Airport Express is convenient and there are plenty of baggage handling officers to help you, the Airbus is a much cheaper way to commute from the airport to the city.

A taxi will run you about $300 USD from the airport to the city. The Airport Express will cost you anywhere from $60 USD to $100 USD each way, and the Airbus is about $30 USD to $45 USD. It may take you a little longer to get there, but you can definitely save money with the Airbus.

Octopus Card
The Octopus Card is a prepaid rechargeable card that is your ticket to all the public transportation in Hong Kong. Since Hong Kong's transportation system is so advanced you won't mind it one bit, and it will save you lots of money getting around Hong Kong. When you swipe your Octopus card, the cost of the item is automatically deducted from your available balance. Not only is it convenient, you will also get a discount on everything with your Octopus Card, so it's wise to get your card immediately upon arrival. You can even use it at convenience stores and fast food chains like McDonalds.

An Octopus card costs $150 for a $100 value and a $50 refundable deposit. You can also receive a refund on any funds not used on the card so you never have to worry about ending up with extra once your visit is over.

Sight-seeing tour for only $2
Take the double-decker trams in the city for a nice slow ride through the city streets of Hong Kong. It is one of the best ways to see the city on a budget.

Find a Cheap Hotel in Hong Kong
Finding a cheap hotel in Hong Kong can be a challenge, but with the Harbour View International House you get a reasonable room rate with a view of beautiful Victoria Harbour. It is perfectly located, close to the subway, the convention center and within walking distance to the ferry.

Tipping
A 10% tip is usually added to most services like restaurants and hotels, so do not leave a full tip in these cases. Make sure to check how much gratuity is already added to your bill before leaving additional tips. An extra 5% is appreciated in addition to the gratuity already billed.

Shopping
If you are looking for authentic Hong Kong shopping and still get some deals, Kowloon is the place. But beware! These open markets are known for selling to tourists and may sometimes overcharge. Be a discriminating buyer to get the best deals. Bargain as much as you can as some items could be discounted up to 50%.

There are lots of ways to save money when visiting Hong Kong, you just need to know where to look. Keep your eyes open, compare prices, and follow some of these money-saving tips for thrifty travel in Hong Kong.

Until a little over ten years ago, Hong Kong was a British colony, despite its positioning in the heart of Asia, and within almost a stone's throw of China. This European twist in its history, combined with the Asian love of distinctive flavors and food, has made Hong Kong a unique gourmet food paradise. However, the economic and political freedoms of Hong Kong, and its unique history, make it a part of China that is also a gourmet accommodation paradise, with five-star Hong Kong hotels aplenty and pamperingly attentive service to go with them. Here we look at the best of both sides of the gourmet coin in Hong Kong.

The first thing you will want to do on arrival in Hong Kong is wash away the airplane-air, dump your luggage somewhere and enjoy the peace of not sitting next to a stranger for a little while! For those that enjoy the finer things in life, Hong Kong hotels like Shangri-La hotel Kowloon are a delight to the senses. The staff at Shangri-La hotels all over the world is known as some of the warmest and most caring, anticipating your every need and acting to help you with grace and alacrity. This Hong Kong hotel in Kowloon has been honored many times, with recognition of its dedication to guests in awards and certificates.

The Hong Kong hotel rooms at Shangri-La feature modern conveniences like iPod docks, broadband access, home theatre systems and even an LCD television in the bathroom. There are kitchenettes, separate dining and sitting areas in the suites, which also feature luxury amenities and pillow menus. Splendid views make these Hong Kong hotel rooms the icing on the cake of your luxury Asian vacation. The Excelsior, Hong Kong is another Hong Kong luxury hotel that caters to the gourmands among us. It actually stands on the very first plot of land sold at auction when Hong Kong became a colony of Britain in 1841. Tastefully designed suites and excellent on-site restaurants fuse the gourmet experience of each of your senses. Snacks and cocktails, tea and coffee and even complimentary breakfast are all provided in the Executive Lounge at the Excelsior Hong Kong hotel.

Once you have settled into the Chinese island life with a luxury Hong Kong hotel room, look for taste treats and light refreshment at Hong Kong teahouses for an authentic experience. Yuen yeung is a 50-50 mixture of tea and coffee, the unique flavour of which is extremely popular in Hong Kong. Bor law yau is a sweet bun served steaming hot with melting butter inside a mouth-watering treat best followed with a refreshing walk! Wonton noodles or snack dishes of fish or beef are also available at gourmet Hong Kong tea houses. If you are looking for something heavier but still authentically Hong Kong, try Bay Phoon town or Causeway Bay Spicy Crab.

The British part of Hong Kong's past has given rise to some delectable international restaurants, set among the glades of trees at the center of the city. Phillipine and Mexican restaurants, as well as Portuguese-inspired dishes can be found. Squid, octopus and cod are all popular - Hong Kong's sea air gives fresh seafood a unique natural flavoring. Try Beira Dos Namarados, a unique and popular choice, for Hong Kong international gourmet cuisine to complement your Hong Kong 'gourmet' hotel.

Driving passenger cars in Hong Kong requires you to have thorough knowledge about the traffic rules and driving regulations. You can drive in Hong Kong using a foreign license on a temporary basis when you arrive for a visit, but if you are contemplating to live here for more than a year, you must acquire a Hong Kong license to drive without any hiccups. For people who have overseas driving license and wish to drive in Hong Kong, a valid driving license may be attained via either applying for a complete driving license by direct issue without test or applying for a temporary driving license.

The heartening news is that if you possess a driving license from a country authorized by the Hong Kong Transport Department, it will be useful when you apply for a Hong Kong license. You will not be required to go through a driving test. And the enjoyable thing is that a Hong Kong license is valid for 10 years. There will be nothing better than avoiding the driving test if you can. You will have spent a considerable amount of time for it, and the complete process is a travesty.

Driving, in the examiners' viewpoint here, consists of precisely three skills: performing a three-point turn, parallel parking, and staying away from ever, ever, EVER performing a hand-over-hand turn of the steering wheel. You have to alternate your hands across the wheel to pass! People travel on the left in right hand drive passenger cars in Hong Kong. This is exactly what you can see in Britain as well. Besides this, the traffic lights, road signs, markings, etc. are exactly similar to those in the UK. People drive on the right in right hand drive passenger cars in Hong Kong and this is similar to that in the US, which makes cross border traffic extremely interesting.

Here switching sides of the road while you are driving is not that difficult. People who learn driving in the States think that they might have to encounter a heap of trouble driving in HK. In reality this is not the case at all. Your brain adapts to the changes quite automatically. Some people even find it tougher to adapt to being a pedestrian here than to being a driver, because when you are walking along the street, you tend to forget which way you are required to check first for oncoming traffic.

The following are some tips on driving in Hong Kong for fresh arrivals in the Territory and wishing to acclimatize with the new surroundings. You should not use the turn indicator in any kind of situations. It is there for no specific purpose other than just display. Fit a fat exhaust in your passenger car. In doing so, you may try to drive in an imaginative fashion. Even if such driving is risky it is always advisable to have fat exhaust in your passenger cars in Hong Kong because with it you can be better than anyone else. The hazard lights have to be considered as a multipurpose accessory and not something which should be used only under an emergency situation. You can access them whenever you need them. They can convey that: