Travel to Hong Kong

Hong Kong International Airport, otherwise known as Chek Lap Kok Airport, is the Hong Kong's main airport. Situated off the Lantau Island, in Chek Pak, Hong Kong International Airport is regarded as the gateway to mainland China and other destinations in South-East Asia.

The airport is only 35 kilometers from the Hong Kong Island and 22 kilometers from Kowloon. Sprawling over an area of about 12.50 square kilometers, it is the world's fifth busiest airport in connection with cargo movement and international passenger. Opened its door in July 6, 1998, the airport is under the control of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, which in turn is a statutory body administered by the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR.) It took about six years for the completion of construction procedures and about US $20 billion to erect it. The airport is now regarded as the prime hub for such major airlines as Oasis Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Express Airways, Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, Air Hong Kong, and Dragonair.

One of the specialties of the airport is that its Passenger Terminal building is situated on a man-made island reclaimed from Chek Lap Kok and Lam Chau. Since the airport is situated on an island, it usually takes an hour or more in order to travel to and fro the airport. However, the airport is easily accessible via such modes as airbus, taxis, and the Mass Transit Railway high-speed airport express, which in turn are special trains that connect the airport with urban areas as well as the subway.

In short, the airport is served by an excellent as well as comprehensive transport network system. For instance, the Ground Transportation Centre features a station exclusively to handle the Airport Express trains. There is also a public transport interchange with transportation facilities including franchised bus, private cars, and taxis. The coach station in the airport's Terminal 2 (T2) caters to the passengers for tour coach such as hotel shuttle bus services and mainland coach services. Likewise, the Hotel and Travel Agent Limousine Lounge in the Terminal 1 (T1) of the airport deals with limousine services. Additionally, all of the sections as well as the departure and arrival areas in the terminal building are clearly defined in order to make all procedures hassle free and pleasurable.

Facilities available in the Hong Kong International Airport also include superb shopping and dining options. With an array of shops, you can purchase a variety of items from here including books and magazines, art and craft items, casual and sports wear, toys and games, leather as well as designer accessories, duty free liquor and tobacco, flower items, health and beauty related items, luggage and travel accessories, packaged food items, and telecommunication services. Dining facilities in the airport ranges from Asian, Chinese, and Western restaurants to coffee shop, cafe, and bakery and dessert shops.

Further, in order to make available best possible services to the customers, the airport has imposes certain safety measures, such as, striving for the maintenance of a safe as well as efficient airport for Hong Kong; providing a comfortable environment for the traveling public; ensuring high standard of cleanliness in the airport's public areas and other such facilities; ensuring high standards of services from the contractors, concessionaries, and franchisees of the airport authority; quick responses to queries and enquiries; and management of environmental issues throughout the airport.

Apart from these, the Civil Aviation Department within the airport has implemented certain security measures in connection with cabin baggage, which in turn comply with the International Civil Aviation Organization's new guidelines.

Included in the cabin baggage security measures are:

Above all, in order to ensure utmost safety and security, the airport is also attached with services such as the Air Traffic Control Complex, which controls the entire air traffic system in the airport; the Hong Kong Flight Information Region (FIR), which is set up to ensure safety and efficiency in connection with flow of aircraft movements; the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, which operates to handle the rescue as well as fire fighting services; and backup air traffic control centre.

Spending yearly vacation in a fantastic country would be the dream of every vacationer. But, for an enjoyable vacation, an effective plan must be devised, which should include everything vital to make a vacation memorable. In other words, you should ask yourself a number of questions before devising an effective plan for vacation, such as which destination would you like to go for vacation, what are the activities you are planning during your vacation, whether you are interested in exploring new places or culture of a place, or would you like to enjoy adventure trips, and so on. However, it would be quite confusing for a common man to plan a vacation. Here comes the importance of tour agents. No matter what your tastes are, they will take all steps to make your vacation an enjoyable as well as a wonderful experience.

With umpteen destinations to choose from, one of the best destinations preferred by most of the people across the globe is Hong Kong/China destination. China is the world's third largest country, with great cultural and ethnic diversities. As per the records of the World Tourism Organization, China is the fifth most popular tourist destination in the world, and is estimated to become the first in the next 15 years.

In addition to being home to the Great Wall - one of the Seven Wonders of the World, China has to its credit a continuum of tourist attractions, with 23 provinces, four municipalities, five autonomous region, and two administrative regions. Beijing - the capital city of China - comes with such renowned attractions as Temple of Heaven Park, the Summer Palace, and the Imperial Palace Museum within the Forbidden City, which in turn is the world's largest palace complex. Along with cities such as Macau, Shanghai, and Lhasa - Hong Kong is also one of the much famed tourist places in China.

Now we will discuss some of the top attractions in the city of Hong Kong. The city boasts of such a great number of attractions that it takes months to explore all of them. Just few among the Hong Kong attractions are the peak tower with Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and rooftop observation area; Man Mo Temple; Wong Tai Sin Temple, an ancient shrine famed for its fortune-tellers; the Bank of China Tower, one of the tallest building in the world that is noted for its architecture; the Avenue of Stars, which is graced and illuminated with tons of twinkling lights; the Clock Tower - one of the oldest landmarks that is situated on the site of the old Kowloon Station; Hong Kong Park, featuring a 1400 sq mt conservatory, air-conditioned sports center, and Olympic Square; and Statue Square, a popular pedestrian in the central district. Equally important are such attractions of Hong Kong as Hong Kong Disneyland, Central District that is home to many government buildings, Ladies Market, Repulse Bay, and Mongkok that is much favored for its teaming activities.

Hong Kong also offers excellent opportunities to enjoy a range of activities. Taking a helicopter ride, riding the peak tram, riding the cable car, riding the century-old tram, and taking a harbor cruise are just few among them. In addition, superb facilities are made available to enjoy exciting and interesting sport activities like sedan chair race, horse racing, swimming, and wind surfing. Also, worth mentioning is the night life in Hong Kong, with its British as well as Irish themed bars, dance clubs, and modern bars offering live music shows and fun. Nightlife in Hong Kong is mainly spread throughout three areas in Kowloon: cocktail bars in Tsim Sha Tsui, pubs on the Ashley Road, and clubs on the Prat and Chatham Roads. Apart from this, Hong Kong boasts of a chain of music clubs and theaters, each of them ensuring fun and entertainment in a relaxing environment.

Above all, Hong Kong hosts a great number of festivals and events, such as Chinese New Year; Birthday of Che Kung, dedicated to Che Kung - the general of the Sung Dynasty; Spring Lantern Festival; and Hong Kong International Film Festival, which is to honor Asian film festivals as well as eminent film makers. Also, great is the gastronomy of Hong Kong. Hong Kong's hall mark is perhaps its world-class cuisine, covering regional, English, continental, and western. An array of restaurants, pubs, bars, and eateries can be seen here.

So what all to dream? Just plan your vacation with us and feel relaxed. All you have to do is to logon to our website and share your interests and likes and dislikes with us.

Hong Kong, one of the most densely populated places in the world, is famous for its charm and diverse culture. The residents here lead different way of life and the society is contemporary and capitalistic. Even though the people still follow the Chinese tradition. It is considered as one of the world's vibrant cities since the olden days.

The history of the place has some connection with the Opium War. In the middle of nineteenth century, Great Britain colonized the island. In 1898, an agreement was signed and the city was handed over to British for 99 years. But by 1984, British agreed to give back Hong Kong to China.

Hong Kong is considered as one of the most popular tourist attraction around the world. The city is small but lively with a fantastic night life which is akin to the Caribbean. The city is situated near India and Philippines and is one of the best English speaking areas in Asia.

You can enjoy several mouth-watering cuisines in the region including Chinese, Indian, Mughalai, and international cuisines. Unique Chinese dishes like special dim sum are very tasty. You can also taste other Chinese specialties like chicken lo mein, fried whole trout, Peking duck, stuffed scallops, tofu dishes, mouth-watering Tong Cho oysters, and exotic seafood plates of soft-shell crab topped with crawfish tails.

There are several McDonald's outlets and Western-style restaurants for American and European food. When compared to other tourist locations around the world, this destination is a bit expensive. If you want to reduce your cost of living in Hong Kong, you have to choose dormitories for stay and eat budget meals, usually Chinese dishes, instead of going to other big fancy restaurants. As it is a shopping paradise, it is difficult to resist your desire to buy. So it is better to embrace your money, if you do not need to overspend.

Hong Kong is well known for its thriving service industry and most of the residents are working in either banking, telecommunications, insurance or tourism. It is also popular for its entertainment industry and is considered as the Movie capital of Asia.

As it is both a modern and ancient city, you can find places to stay with out any problem when visiting Hong Kong. Accommodation facilities come in all types of excellence, shapes and prices. Cheap youth hostels with standard amenities and five star luxury hotels with luxurious facilities are offered.

Most of the luxurious facilities are available in Hong Kong Island, the central area of the city. For people looking for cheap accommodation, Kowloon and the New territories offer diverse sources. You can also find hostels in Hong Kong Island. As Hong Kong is a major transportation hub of Asia, it can cater to all budgets.

Hong Kong has a varied mix of characters as a result of lengthy British occupation and a great Chinese influence. The place has a lot to offer tourists around the world; this is the reason why more and more people visit this place year round. Situated in Kowloon, Hong Kong Museum of Art is the best place for history buffs. The Museum houses more than 14,000 items including paintings, calligraphy Hong Kong treasure, art objects, antiques and lithographs.

Hong Kong Disneyland, the fist Disneyland in Asia, offers an enchanting experience to the travelers and natives alike. The park features four main attractions, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and Main Street, USA. You can have a view of the entire city from Victoria Peak which is situated around 1810 feet above sea level. Take a cruise around the water of Lantau Island and watch pink dolphins that only live in this water.

Have great fun in Ocean Park which is one of the great attractions in the city. The park houses Lowlands Gardens, Marine Land and Headlands amusement park where you can go and have a ride with cable cars and roller coasters. Have fun with your kids in Water World's wave pools, play area, and water slides.

Hong Kong Space Museum is another major attraction in the city. It features several displays including robotics, telecommunications, energy, computers, and physics. Middle Kingdom, The Central district, Lamma Island, Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery and Wet Market are also worth a visit. Plan your next vacation to this vibrant city now itself.

Kowloon is one of the four main areas of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, others being Hong Kong Island, which is regarded as the financial center of the city; the New Territories, which is considered the farm belt of the city; and the Outlying Islands, which holds attractions such as the Lamma Island and the Lantau Island. Literally meaning 'nine dragons,' the bustling urban area of Kowloon consists of three sections such as Kowloon Peninsula, New Kowloon, and Victoria Harbor. The best known part of the Kowloon is the tip of Peninsula facing the Hong Kong Island.

Kowloon is located to the south of Hong Kong Island in Northern Hong Kong, and includes five of the 18 districts of Hong Kong, among which most prominent are Kowloon City and Yau Tsim Mong. Others are Kwun Tong, Sham Shui Po, and Wong Tai Sin. Primarily a residential area, Kowloon City is developed on the site of the old age Kowloon Walled City built during the period of the Song Dynasty. Al though a smaller district in terms of land area, Yau Tsim Mong is one of the busiest business areas in Hong Kong. The name of this district has been derived from the three significant areas of Hong Kong such as Yaumati, Mong Kok, and Tsim Sha Tsui.

When comes to attractions, Kowloon provides a great number of options for visitors touring the destination. Of which some of them are:

Kowloon Park - which has to its credit an incredible array of attractions such as indoor heated over sized swimming pool, leisure pool connected by a number of waterfalls, an expansive Chinese Garden, a Children's playground, and above all, an open air sculpture museum which exhibits works done by local as well as overseas sculptors.

Yuen Po Street Bird Garden - This is a must-visit destination for bird lovers. The focal point of this garden is a variety of songbirds in exquisitely crafted bamboo cages. The bird garden is open daily from 7 hrs to 21 hrs.

Kowloon Walled City Park - This is one of the newest parks in Hong Kong. The park is designed in a classical style Chinese garden, which is well manicured and consists of man made hills, bonsai, and beautiful ponds and streams. Highlights also include beautiful paths, flower gardens, playground, and pavilions.

Nathan Road - Also referred to as the 'Golden Mile of Kowloon,' Nathan Road is a busy area brimming with upscale hotels, shops, and food stalls. One of the most prominent areas in the road is the Park Lane Shopper's Boulevard, which is home to more than 50 shops.

Jade Market - As the name indicates, Jade Market is a great area to shop jade items. But, it is recommended to take a specialist with you for shopping jade items.

Mong Kok - For shopping electronic items such as CDs and mobile phone accessories at bargain prices, no other destinations would be better than Mong Kok.

Wong Tai Sin Temple - A visit to Kowloon would be incomplete without taking a tour to this temple, which is reminiscent of a hermit who was well-known for his healing powers. A Chinese pharmacy can also be found within the temple. Nearby areas of the temple is filled with fortune tellers.

Other not to miss attractions in Kowloon are Tsim Sha Tsui, an area that is much famed for high class fashion stores; Kowloon Tong, a station within the local train network and whose prime attraction is an elegant as well as stylish mall with more than 200 shops; Night Market, which becomes exuberant as the sun goes down and consists of a number of open air eateries serving sumptuous cuisines; and Ladies' Market, a popular area exclusively for shopping ladies' clothing and cosmetics. Above all, stupendous is the nightlife of Kowloon, with an array of bars and restaurants.

In fact, Kowloon is one of the most magnificent destinations in Hong Kong. Hence, the area boasts of a number of accommodation choices to satisfy every level of travelers from budget conscious to well-heeled. Dining options available here are truly incredible, with a variety of cuisines including Japanese, Italian, and Cantonese delicacies.

Hong Kong's top financial officials have put forward some amendments aimed at bringing back wealth to people, including tax cuts and other compromises. The package of measures and compromises are offered to help the disadvantaged, improve Hong Kong's economical stability and guarantee lasting development. The government has predicted a surplus in the Consolidated Account of 115.6 billion Hong Kong dollars ($14.8 billion) and a surplus of 63.7 billion HKD (about $8.19 billion) in the Operating Account for 2007-08.

To retrieve wealth to the people, the government has recommended a one-off tax reduction of 75 percent of salaries tax and tax under personal assessment for the 2007-08 fiscal year up to a highest of 25,000 HKD ($3,213). Almost one million taxpayers would not have to spend more than 5,000 Hong Kong dollars in tax once the reduction is a reality. The decision would end in an expense of 12.4 billion Hong Kong dollars ($1.59 billion) for the government in 2008-09 and will be a blessing for 1.4 million taxpayers. The proposal also includes increasing the basic allowance and single parent allowance from 100,000 HK dollars to 108,000, and boosting the married person's allowance from 200,000 HK dollars to 216,000. Once the proposals are implemented, all the major allowances and tax rates will go back to their 2002-03 levels.

The salaries tax and personal assessment tax standard rate will be deduced by one percentage point to 15 percent, from the next fiscal year, and there will be a reduction of profits tax to 16.5 percent. Improving the tax bands from 35,000 HKD to 40,000 HKD is also a potential reality. Small and medium businesses are also set to benefit from a one-off tax reduction with a proposed 75 percent concession of profits tax for 2007-08 up to a maximum of 25,000 HK dollars. Business registration fees will also be boosted for 2008-09. For the environmental front, a reduction of 30 percent, 50 percent or 100 percent in the first registration tax of commercial vehicles pertaining to Euro V emission standards, and a 100 percent profit tax reduction for capital expenditure on environmentally-friendly machinery and equipment in the first year of purchase is also among the potential changes.

To enhance Hong Kong as a trade and distribution center for quality wine in Asia, duties on wine, beer and all other alcoholic beverages barring spirits will be freed. The HK government has been pushed to decrease corporate profits tax further in accordance with the global trend and increase the stamp duty fee ceiling for properties. The corporate profits tax and standard rate of salaries tax have been reduced by 1 percent to 16.5 percent and 15 percent respectively. There was an increase in the stamp duty ceiling to properties priced at more than HK$3 million from HK$2 million according to the property price index to support young and middle-income families withstand property inflation.

There was also an advice to allowing regional headquarters full profits tax exemption for management and consultancy income attained by the Hong Kong entity from associated overseas entities. As only Hong Kong-based income is taxable according to the local system, legislation need to improve reliability and consistency in the tax system, and address issues like whether profits or salaries have a Hong Kong or an overseas source. Reliability is of prime importance for investors. There was also a suggestion to the government to impose "polluter pays taxes" including electronic road pricing, fuel duties, air and water pollutant taxes, and other resource consumption taxes. This came after the understanding that pollution is the biggest threat to economic growth in HK.

As with any talent, some people - or cars - have it, and some just don't. The winds of fortune will all blow in your direction sometimes, and others it will be a struggle just to fit a nut and bolt together. Here we look back at ten different cars which the winds of fortune lifted up, to soar through the clouds like enormous metal eagles!

1. The Range Rover, by Land Rover, set a new standard for rough-and-ready cars, for guts and glory. Land Rover may not have made the first off-road vehicle on the market, but they were the first to do it so well. Range Rover became synonymous with off-roading, and the shape of the model is burnt into our psyches. The off road skills of the vehicle were soon augmented by comfort and drivability for everyday use, and handling was improved to make the ride easier in traffic. Soon, Range Rover became more of a luxury car, and they have found extra popularity as a luxury car in Hong Kong.

2. The XF Jaguar is a new model from the company, expected to do great things for a brand that has not made a profit for Ford, its parent company, in 20 years. Jaguar's reputation has been for luxury automobiles in Hong Kong, with superb handling and lithe styling, and the XF should deliver.

3. Hyundai's Pony is little known today, and is certainly not a luxury car, in Hong Kong or elsewhere. However, it certainly was a miracle car, and definitely changed the fortunes of Hyundai. It was the first model the company produced itself, after gaining experience assembling Ford Cortinas shipped out in kit form. The City of London, British Leyland, Mistsubishi and Giugiaro all combined forces to help make the Pony a reality - and it has been the first step for this ever more popular Hong Kong new car manufacturer.

4. The 1936 Mercedes Benz 500K was a leap forward in luxury automobile styling. It has elegant lines, a smooth appearance, yet arobust flavor. It was touted as a dream car, available to a small, select clientele, and set the standard for luxury cars the world over, including for luxury cars in Hong Kong.

5. The Ford Focus is one of the world's oldest car manufacturer's more recent success stories. Ford has had many ups and downs, and their new car market in Hong Kong has risen and fallen with the tides. However, in 1997 the Focus brought an excellent high, with its excellent, comfortable handling, versatility, and style.

6. The Fiat Nuova was another car that changed the fortunes of its manufacturer. The rear-mounted, two cylinder engine vehicle was made in 1957 and oozed Italian charm. It became the people's car, aiming to help cars be within the reach of lower paid Italian workers.

7. The Citroen BX was a model that really defined the brand. Peugeot bought Citroen in 1974 and saved the company financially, but the personality and soul of Citroen was not captured in a car until the BX of 1982. It was a high-performance, good economy, ultra modern engineering feat.

8. Chrysler's K-cars would hardly have won any awards for style or speed, but their wide appeal as cheap, economic runabouts saved the company from oblivion in the 1980s.

9. The BMW 3-series began in the 1970s, and was still being manufactured this decade. The initial 1.3 million made of the first model were all sold, and the replacement for these transformed the way that BMW operated as a luxury car manufacturer in Hong Kong and elsewhere.

10. Audi's miracle car came way back in the 1960s, with the 100 model that ousted the Beetle's right of way after Volkswagen bought Audi in 1968. When bosses saw the prototype 100s, they were so impressed that they gave the go-ahead for their building straight away.

Hong Kong, officially known as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is a part of the Guangdong Province, and is one of the China's two special administrative regions, another being Macau. In other words, Hong Kong is a thriving metropolis where modern western lifestyle is combined with ancient as well as traditional Chinese culture. Until the 19th century, Hong Kong was just a sleepy fishing village, which later saw tremendous changes when it became a colony and was under the British till it was handed over to China in 1997.

Occupying an area of about 1099 square kilometers and located on the south east coast of China, Hong Kong is now regarded as a gateway to the country, and serves as a center of international transportation, commerce, and communication. Hong Kong is made up of four sections such as Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, the Outlying Islands, and the New Territories. When comes to attractions and things to do, Hong Kong provides endless options, which at the same are also unique. For instance, the Victoria Harbor that separates the glass towers of the island and the bustling streets of Kowloon Peninsula is one of the most magnificent waterways of the world. Perhaps the greatest of all the attractions in the city would be Victoria Peak, otherwise known as the Peak. Until the opening of the Peak Tram in 1880, the only way to reach the Peak was via walking or by taking a potholed ride in a sedan chair.

An interesting thing is that the Peak Tram is still in operational and taking a ride in it is a great way to enjoy the breathtaking vistas of Hong Kong Island as well as the Kowloon Peninsula. Attractions in the Peak also include the Peak Tower, which is a shopping center with a remarkable terrace, from where you can enjoy the magnificent views of whole of the island. Another not to miss attraction in Hong Kong is Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront, an awesome promenade, a stroll along which would be a great way to savor the incredible beauty of the place. Must-visit attractions in the city also include Temple of Ten Thousand Buddha, where to reach you will have to climb about 400 steps; Tian Tan Buddha, which is the largest statute of seated Buddha in the world; Hong Kong Heritage Museum, which has on display an amazing selection of antique Chinese artifacts; and Sam Tung Uk Museum, which is in the center of Tsuen Wan in the New Territories.

A visit to Hong Kong would not be complete without taking a tour to destinations such as Disneyland and Ocean Park, whose facilities are an eclectic mix of entertainment and education; Repulse Bay, which is much famed for its white sandy beaches and sub-tropical backdrop; and Golden Bauhinia Square, which marks the most prominent occasion in the history of China, ie, the return of Hong Kong by the British and the establishment of the city as the Special Administrative Region on 30 June 1997. The city has something for everyone. For instance, for culinary enthusiasts, the city boasts of a mind blowing array of restaurants serving delicacies like chicken lo mein, dim sum, Tong Cho oysters, tofu, and Peking duck.

Further, Hong Kong is a haven for shopping, with shops and stalls in such destinations as Stanley Village Market, from where a variety of branded items can be shopped at bargain prices. Likewise, if you are flower lover, then head to flower market, where a unique selection of flowers and plants can be seen. Further, a visit to the Bird Market would be an excellent option for bird lovers. Also, while your stay at Hong Kong, take a tour to the fish market in the city, which boasts of aquariums consisting of exotic fish varieties. Above all, exciting as well as lively is the nightlife of the city, which is primarily concentrated around the twin districts of Wan Chai and Lan Kwai Fong.

With these amazing varieties of attractions, it is not a wonder why tourists from across the world flock to this wonderful destination. Hence, the city has accommodation choices to cater to every type of travelers. If you are well healed, then you can go for such accommodation options that are attached with high facilities and comforts. Even these hotels provide superb facilities in the form of excellent fitness rooms and award winning spa treatments. There are also some hotels providing services of expert nutritionist which helps to develop healthy as well as sumptuous menus for guests.

Hong Kong returned to the People's Republic of China after 150 years of colonial rule, on 30 June 1997. Now it enjoys the status of a special administrative territory of China with a high degree of sovereignty. The land retains its own social, legal and economic systems, with no substantial change in lifestyle. The land comprises four main areas - the Hong Kong Island, the New Territories, Kowloon and the Outlying Islands. Kowloon and the New Territories lie on a peninsula of mainland of China, on the northern part of Victoria Harbour. Hong Kong Island lies on the southern side of the Victoria Harbour facing Kowloon. The Outlying Islands comprise 234 islands. The New Territories share a border of 20 km with China proper. Hong Kong is one of the largest cities in the world. It has lots of things going on and a lot to explore.

Renting an apartment in the city can be a complicated and difficult choice. Serviced apartments are a great choice for those moving into Hong Kong for the first time. A wide range of serviced apartments are available in Hong Kong, from basic amenities to luxury lifestyle type accommodation. They provide you with comfort and convenience while you spend time hunting for the perfect home. Serviced apartments are a great substitute for long hotel stays if you are in Hong Kong for a temporary stay but want to enjoy the comfort of your own space. You don't have to commit to a lengthy contract. You can just rent by the week, month or year. Everything you need for a comfortable living will be there for you to start your new life in the city, without the trouble of buying furniture and appliances.

Most serviced apartments in Hong Kong are leased out in good unfurnished decorative condition, but appliances which may include cookers, refrigerators, washing and drying machines, dishwashers and air-conditioners are not usually provided. Soft furnishings such as carpets and curtains are often provided. Air-conditioners are indispensable for comfortable stay in summer and you will have to install them, if not provided by the landlord. Serviced apartments offering excellent facilities are available for short lease periods of three months or longer. The rentals for these short periods are comparatively higher. Rentals are payable in Hong Kong dollars monthly in advance.

Deposits are usually equivalent to two or three months' rental. They are payable to the landlord when the lease is accepted. The deposit is held by the landlord without interest, once the tenancy agreement is executed. It is refunded to the tenant on the expiration of the lease. The cost of any damage or maintenance work necessary to the building, other than normal wear and tear, will be deducted from the deposit before repayment. Most tenancy agreements in Hong Kong are made for a period of two years - often an escape clause is included that gives the tenant the right to end the tenancy on giving two or three months' notice to the landlord after a minimum lease period of 12 to 15 months. The tenant has the right of first option to renew the tenancy after each two-year period of tenancy, at the current market price. 

Taxes are payable to Government at approximately 5.5% of the annual rental amount. Properties in some districts are subject to a government land rent in addition, which is calculated at 3% of the rental value. These charges are payable by tenant quarterly in advance. Government Stamp duty is payable on all tenancy agreements. It is payable by the tenant and landlord in equal shares. Management fees are payable by all occupants for communal services provided such as security guards, cleaning and maintenance of common areas. 

The amount of management fees varies according to the age of the building, the number of units in a building, the nature of amenities or quality of the services provided. The tenancy agreement is usually provided by the landlord or his solicitor. An initial draft of the deed is presented to the tenant for his approval. The tenant may use the services of a solicitor to review the terms of the lease at his discretion. The legal fees are to be paid each party.

A special administrative region of China, Hong Kong is an exotic destination, with more than 250 islands. Once a British Colony, Hong Kong became a part of China in 1997. Apart from a hot tourist center, Hong Kong is also regarded as a great business center, and is sometimes referred to as the 'Gateway to the booming economy of China.'

Further, in contrast to other Asian destinations, Hong Kong has a very low crime rate, and hence considered a safe place to live in. Since a former British colony, a strong influence of westernized culture is prevalent here. Al though, majority of Hong Kong's population is made up of Chinese, the city also include people from other nations including Australia, the UK, Canada, Japan, and Korea. Probably for this reason, real estate market in Hong Kong is booming.

Whether you are a permanent resident or a tourist to the city, Hong Kong boasts of a continuum of accommodation options, according to your taste, lifestyle, and budget. Hotels, resorts, condotels, and villas would be some of the best accommodation for people touring Hong Kong for a short period.

For long stays as well as permanent settlements, some of the much favored accommodation choices are single detached homes, flats, apartments, and townhouses. Along with these accommodation choices, condominiums or condo units are also considered a great housing option in Hong Kong.

A condominium living is quite different from other residential choices including owning or renting an apartment, villa, or a single dwelling space. When you decide to stay in a condominium it means that you have made up your mind to live with a group of other condominium owners.

Depending upon your tastes and preferences, a variety of condo units are available in Hong Kong, from low budget condominiums to high end luxury condominium complexes. Different types of condominiums available here include apartment model condo units and townhouse, which is mostly attached with garage and yard space. Hong Kong condominiums are also sometimes available in the form of single detached buildings.

Condominiums units in Hong Kong are mostly replete with expansive living rooms, superb bedrooms coupled with relaxed beds, sophisticated kitchen, and bath area. No matter it is small or big, luxury or ordinary, condominium units in Hong Kong mostly come with such amenities as cable television, heating and air conditioning facilities, provision for hot and cold water, balcony providing excellent views, and professional services.

Luxury units usually include high-end common facilities such as laundry facilities, game rooms, whirlpool spas and saunas, swimming pools, meeting rooms, parking areas, round the clock on-site security system, intercom security system, on-site office for property management, solarium with areas for gatherings and social activities, specialized areas for outdoor recreational activities, salons with expert massage therapist, parking areas, and on-site workshop.

Owning a condominium in Hong Kong offers a myriad of benefits. One of the great benefits of living in condo units is that it enables you to reside in a well-controlled community. Security is another key benefit of living in Hong Kong, as many of the condominiums are attached with top-end monitoring system. Benefits of living in condominium also include low interior as well as exterior maintenance costs and access to such facilities as elevators and swimming pools.

Mostly, people staying in condominium complexes have common lifestyle and preferences, which in turn allow you to lead a comfortable life. For instance, there are condominium units especially designed and constructed for people like retirees and single people. Above all, purchasing a condominium unit in Hong Kong is considered a great long term investment, guaranteeing excellent returns. However, the price of condominium units is exceptionally high in contrast to other accommodations options such as apartments and single houses.

However, it is important to consider certain important matters prior to purchasing a condominium in Hong Kong. The rules and regulations pertaining to condo units vary from condominiums to condominiums. In certain cases, the condominium association or group put forward some kind of restrictions to own pets or to use a particular facility. Hence, such matters must be checked for. Purchasing or renting a condo unit in Hong Kong is no longer a tedious process. A myriad of real estate companies and property builders are there in order to help you find a condo unit that suits your requirements.