country profile
Country profile
Hong Kong
WHAT'S UP WITH?
Hong Kong is located in Eastern Asia and the southeast coast of People’s Republic of China. It faces the South China Sea and experience cool, dry winters and hot, humid summers. Hong Kong can fit into Australia for about 6967 times.
Hong Kong was under the British Administration from 1841 to 1997 and Japanese occupation from 1941 to 1945, but now it belongs to the People’s Republic of China.
Hong Kong is one of world’s leading international financial centres. The unemployment rate is 3.4% with an average work hour per week of 45 hours. One Australian dollar equals to HKD$6.78. The lowest wage is HKD$30/HR, which is equivalent to AUD$4.28/hr.
Extra fact! Hong Kong has more Rolls Royce per person than any other cities in the world!
Hong Kong is located in Eastern Asia and the southeast coast of People’s Republic of China. It faces the South China Sea and experience cool, dry winters and hot, humid summers. Hong Kong can fit into Australia for about 6967 times.
Hong Kong was under the British Administration from 1841 to 1997 and Japanese occupation from 1941 to 1945, but now it belongs to the People’s Republic of China.
Hong Kong is one of world’s leading international financial centres. The unemployment rate is 3.4% with an average work hour per week of 45 hours. One Australian dollar equals to HKD$6.78. The lowest wage is HKD$30/HR, which is equivalent to AUD$4.28/hr.
Extra fact! Hong Kong has more Rolls Royce per person than any other cities in the world!
TRUE OR FALSE
There are stereotypes such as eating rice 24/7; however, it is false because Hong Kong has a wide range of foods from all over the world. Also, people often think that the locals are unattractive and short in height, but everyone is different, so it is determined by what you think. The stereotype that Hong Kong people love to hang out till late night is true! Hong Kong supermarkets, restaurants or any other stores mostly open till 3am and start again at 5 or 6am. Australia is the opposite; the stores often close at 6pm. Hong Kong people are often mistaken to be good at maths. However, although Hong Kong education is ahead of Australia, they are not overly better at maths.
There are stereotypes such as eating rice 24/7; however, it is false because Hong Kong has a wide range of foods from all over the world. Also, people often think that the locals are unattractive and short in height, but everyone is different, so it is determined by what you think. The stereotype that Hong Kong people love to hang out till late night is true! Hong Kong supermarkets, restaurants or any other stores mostly open till 3am and start again at 5 or 6am. Australia is the opposite; the stores often close at 6pm. Hong Kong people are often mistaken to be good at maths. However, although Hong Kong education is ahead of Australia, they are not overly better at maths.
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/3/6/39362409/1414157446.png)
HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS?
If you are working in Hong Kong, then becoming closer to colleagues can help you make more friends. You can meet through mutual friends or join different activities such as dance class or sports clubs etc. Hong Kong has different sports clubs for foreigners, such as the Australian Association of Hong Kong. You can also start conversations with people that you see often. If you are staying at someone’s home, they can introduce you to their friends.
Hong Kong is one of the friendliest places according to many travellers, so try and interact with the locals. It is a bit different to Australia; Hong Kong-ers don’t wave at you unless they know you so try and walk up to them and start a conversation.
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/3/6/39362409/1414157484.png)
CULTCHA VULTCHA
Although many places in Asia seem to bow to each other when greeting, there’s no need in Hong Kong. You can just simply say ‘Hello’ in English. However locals do not normally hug or pat each other on the backs. Speak in English if you can’t express what you want to say. Everyone is fluent in English because English is compulsory from Kindergarten to university. Most lectures are taught in English from Middle School and up. However, try and speak simple English.
When someone give you a gift, you should refuse it a few times before accepting it as it may come across as being greedy if accepting it straight away. Use two hands when handing over or receiving gifts. Never open the gift in front of the person unless they urge you to. At dinner or functions, wait to be told where to sit because there is often a seating plan. Don’t turn a fish over when it is served since it's bad luck and signifies a boat overturning. Pour everyone a drink before your own.
In the public, always avoid loud behaviour to blend into Hong Kong culture. Be careful with smoking as it is even banned in some outdoor areas, such as beaches and parks. If you litter, you will be fined HKD $1500 = AUD$223. Clothing is almost the same as Australian clothing. You can wear casual clothing anywhere and when there is an important function, wear formal dresses or suits.
Although many places in Asia seem to bow to each other when greeting, there’s no need in Hong Kong. You can just simply say ‘Hello’ in English. However locals do not normally hug or pat each other on the backs. Speak in English if you can’t express what you want to say. Everyone is fluent in English because English is compulsory from Kindergarten to university. Most lectures are taught in English from Middle School and up. However, try and speak simple English.
When someone give you a gift, you should refuse it a few times before accepting it as it may come across as being greedy if accepting it straight away. Use two hands when handing over or receiving gifts. Never open the gift in front of the person unless they urge you to. At dinner or functions, wait to be told where to sit because there is often a seating plan. Don’t turn a fish over when it is served since it's bad luck and signifies a boat overturning. Pour everyone a drink before your own.
In the public, always avoid loud behaviour to blend into Hong Kong culture. Be careful with smoking as it is even banned in some outdoor areas, such as beaches and parks. If you litter, you will be fined HKD $1500 = AUD$223. Clothing is almost the same as Australian clothing. You can wear casual clothing anywhere and when there is an important function, wear formal dresses or suits.
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/3/6/39362409/1414156550.png?250)
YOU HAVE TO GO TO...
When you go to Hong Kong, you should visit the Tian Tan Buddha. It is 34 metres tall and in 2000, it was the world’s tallest outdoor bronze seated Buddha; it was formed out of 202 separate pieces of bronze. Also, on a clear day, it can be seen from Macau. You have to climb 268 steps in order to reach it. It’s a great sight-seeing spot and an exhausting exercise at the same time!
When you go to Hong Kong, you should visit the Tian Tan Buddha. It is 34 metres tall and in 2000, it was the world’s tallest outdoor bronze seated Buddha; it was formed out of 202 separate pieces of bronze. Also, on a clear day, it can be seen from Macau. You have to climb 268 steps in order to reach it. It’s a great sight-seeing spot and an exhausting exercise at the same time!
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/3/6/39362409/3790261.jpg?250)
Another place is the 1881 Heritage, which was the headquarters of the Hong Kong Marine police from 1880s to 1996. It shows the Victorian-era of Hong Kong. Before renovation, pirates and smugglers were held inside the prisons in the 1881 Heritage. Now it has become a shopping mall and a heritage hotel.
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/3/6/39362409/1414156910.png)
Victoria Peak is a mountain in the west of Hong Kong Island. It is locally known as The Peak, it is also the highest mountain on the island. In order to get to the top at 552m (altitude), you can take the Peak Tram, which is the oldest form of transport in Hong Kong.
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/3/6/39362409/1414156994.png)
The Avenue of Stars as known as ‘Hollywood of the East’, allows you to acknowledge movie actors who were extremely popular. While walking through that area, you can enjoy the overall view of Hong Kong. There are also life size statues and hand prints of stars like Bruce Lee.
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/3/6/39362409/1414157784.png)
UP FOR THE CHALLENGE!
Some challenges you might face when you go to Hong Kong is mainly the language barrier. Learning and speaking Cantonese is not easy, especially when the pronunciation is rather difficult. The traditional Chinese characters are hard to read and can be pronounced in many different ways. However, Hong Kong residents usually know English and would most likely help you out when you need it. But you may not catch up with their timetable. Hong Kong people are known to rush and never stop working. They are busy business people and it is hard to walk as fast as them on the street!
MTRs (Mass Transit Railway) come every two minutes, ON TIME and some people even complain about it. Hong Kong is a small island so the housing areas are also very tiny. Although there are a lot of high rise buildings, each about 50 storey's high for apartments, the rent and housing prices are so expensive. Most people in Hong Kong hire a domestic helper (mostly from Indonesia or Philippines) to look after their children because they just don’t have time for them. You can also hire one to help you out in looking after your home.
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/3/6/39362409/1414157954.png)
Interesting Facts: More than 6500 buildings over 150 metres tall. It is also home to the most expensive real estate in the world. Hong Kong-er’s are rarely at home, we eat out most nights of the week, are continually socialising or playing sport. Hong Kong boasts the most restaurants in the world per capita and second most Michelin starred restaurants in the world.
Public Transport: Unlike Australia, Hong Kong has a card called ‘Octopus’, similar to our newly introduced ‘Opal Card’. But the Octopus card can be used for any transport from double decker buses to taxis, and can be used at convenience stores and any places around Hong Kong. It is like a tap and go card but some schools also use it to mark the roll.
Theme Parks: The Hong Kong Ocean Park is regularly ranked as one of the top theme parks in the world according to the Themed Entertainment Association. It is a marine-life theme park. From pandas to penguins, it is a mix of a zoo and amusement parks. The Hong Kong Disneyland is also a place that you must go when taking a gap year in Hong Kong. It opened in 2005 and is continuously filled with tourists around the world.