You are strongly recommended to check for visa requirements from the Hong Kong Immigration Department website before planning your visit. Holders of passports issued by most of the developed countries are normally not required to obtain a visa to enter Hong Kong. Event participant who requires visa to Hong Kong should submit their visa applications directly to the Hong Kong Immigration Department. Please allow sufficient time for visa application prior to your travel.

Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate with distinct seasons. Typhoon season begins in May and ends in November. When a typhoon is approaching, warnings are broadcast on television and radio. There are various degrees of warning signals issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, but when the no. 8 signal is in place, most businesses and shops close down and flights may be cancelled. There is a separate warning system for heavy rain.

Weather of December:

During November and December there are pleasant breezes, plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures. Many people regard these as the best months of the year.

Check for weather forecast

Currency

The legal tender in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD), which is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of about 7.80 HKD to 1 USD, although exchange rates may fluctuate slightly.

Currency converter by Xe.com (For reference Only)

Credit cards & Electronic Payments

Most international credit cards, such as American Express, VISA, and MasterCard, are accepted at hotels, shops, and restaurants in Hong Kong. Some stores also accept mobile payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay. You can find out which payment methods are accepted by checking the signs displayed at the entrance or cash register.

There are still some shops and restaurants in Hong Kong that only accept cash or Octopus cards, so it is recommended that you visit a currency exchange to obtain enough cash before venturing out. Alternatively, you can purchase or rent an Octopus card, or download the tourist version of the Octopus app to your mobile phone. Using an Octopus card or app will not only make it easy for you to use public transportation, but also enable you to make purchases at convenience stores, supermarkets, and restaurants with just a simple tap.

Learn more at Octopus website.

ATM

ATMs can be found almost everywhere. Many take international cards and some HSBC 'Electronic Money' machines provide 24-hour cash withdrawal (HK$) facilities for Visa and MasterCard holders. Some even provide foreign currency withdrawal service.

Learn more at HSBC.

Hong Kong time is defined as UTC+8

Click here for time converter

The standard electrical voltage in Hong Kong is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Most hotel bathrooms also have outlets for 100 volts, but if not, you will need a transformer for any appliance or electrical equipment. The majority of electrical outlets in Hong Kong take a three-pronged UK-style plug (Details).

Alternatively, you can buy an inexpensive adaptor, portable charger and power packs for your electrical equipment at most convenience stores.

In HKUST campus, eduroam is available. Please visit the Wi-fi Services page by HKUST for more information.

Free Wi-Fi services are widespread in Hong Kong. In particular, there are many Wi-Fi.HK hotspots widely available across the city in locations such as major tourist attractions, shopping malls, parks and gardens, visitor centers, sports venues, museums, ferry terminals, cooked food centers and government buildings, which offer wireless internet connection completely free or free for a period of time. Download the Wi-Fi.HK app to search for a list of hotspot locations, where you can connect to the internet with the Wi-Fi.HK SSID.