Hong Kong country information - Travel & foreign exchange

Hong Kong country information

Hong Kong at a glance

Area

1,098 sq km

Population

6,890,000

Country dialling code

852

Electricity

220V, 50Hz

Local currency
The local currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD), which is divided into 100 cents. Bills are issued in denominations of $10, $20, $50, $100, $500 and $1000. Except for the $10, Hong Kong notes are issued by three banks: HSBC (formerly the Hong Kong Bank and Shanghai Bank) Standard Chartered Bank the Bank of China. There are little copper coins worth 10¢, 20¢ and 50¢, silver-coloured $1, $2 and $5 coins and a nickel and bronze $10 coin.

Local currency

The local currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD), which is divided into 100 cents. Bills are issued in denominations of $10, $20, $50, $100, $500 and $1000. Except for the $10, Hong Kong notes are issued by three banks:

HSBC (formerly the Hong Kong Bank and Shanghai Bank)
Standard Chartered Bank
the Bank of China.

There are little copper coins worth 10¢, 20¢ and 50¢, silver-coloured $1, $2 and $5 coins and a nickel and bronze $10 coin.

Languages
The Official Languages Ordinance of 1974 names Hong Kong's two official languages as English and Cantonese. While Cantonese is used in Hong Kong in everyday life by the vast majority of the population, English remains the lingua franca of commerce, banking and international trade and is still used in the law courts.

Time zone information - GMT +8

City	Time
Hong Kong	9.00 am	12 noon	5.00 pm
Melbourne	11.00 am	2.00 pm	7.00 pm
London	1.00 am	4.00 am	9.00 am
New York	8.00 pm*	11.00 pm*	4.00 am
Tokyo	10.00 am	1.00 pm	6.00 pm
Wellington	1.00 pm	4.00 pm	9.00 pm
Los Angeles	5.00 pm*	8.00 pm*	1.00 am

*Previous day
Note: Hong Kong does not use daylight savings time

Everyday living

Did you know that while Hong Kong's public transport is generally efficient and widely used, the ferries are usually faster and cheaper than buses and trams?

Maybe you're looking for a one-bedroom apartment. In the Mid-Levels this will cost you anywhere from HK$10,000 a month and across Hong Kong could range from HK$4000 a month up to HK$100,000 a month. It may help you to know that many expats looking for an international school for their children choose one run by the non-profit English Schools Foundation.

The ANZ Guide to Hong Kong provides a wealth of information on day-to-day living, including valuable resources to help you get settled. Information includes shopping, banking and business hours, transport information, help with finding accommodation and schooling, details of the Hong Kong health system plus some great tips on leisure, food, wine, etiquette and much more.

ANZ are the experts in expat banking. To find out more about how we can support you in Hong Kong, call 1800 EXPATS (1800 397287) and ask for a full copy of the 'ANZ Guide to Hong Kong'.

All travel and tourism related content about the destination has been provided by Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd. ANZ has not checked the accuracy or reliability of such content and makes no representations or warranties in relation thereto.