• Population: 7.4 million
• Capital: Victoria
• Demographics: 92% of the population is Han Chinese, most of whom are Taishanese, Teochew, and Hakka. The remaining 8% are non-ethnic Chinese minorities, primarily Filipinos, Indonesians, and South Asians.
• Type of government: Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, governed under “one country, two system” principle. Under the principle, there would only be one China, but Hong Kong could continue to have its own governmental system, legal, economic and financial affairs, all of which are independent from those of the Mainland.
• Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
• Common food: Rice, seafood, noodles, dim sum

Cantonese is the most commonly spoken language, followed by Mandarin. It is common for local people to know English.

As a University of Illinois student, you have access to library resources (such as Rosetta Stone and Libguides). You may also want to consider free sources to learn basic phrases, or to refresh your language skills prior to departure.

It is each students responsibility to independently verify the visa information below and ensure they apply and secure the appropriate documentation to travel and stay in their host country for the duration of their program.

Although Hong Kong is officially recognized as a part of China, Hong Kong has its own visa policy. Students will need to acquire a Hong Kong student visa.

If students plan to visit mainland China, a separate Chinese tourist visa is needed.

If you are already a Chinese citizen and have a Chinese passport, then you will likely not need to obtain any additional visa.

To read more on passport and visa terminology see the Passports & Visas page of this website.

Phones

• A local number may be useful for safety and communications purposes. Students can buy local SIM cards once arriving at Hong Kong.
• Make sure you have the Duo Mobile app set up on your phone. If you get a new SIM card, use the passcode options instead of PUSH, or go to UI Verify website to enter your new phone information.

Internet

• Internet infrastructure in Hong Kong is well developed, and you will likely have internet access through your housing and on campus.
• WiFi service is widely available. It may not be available free in as many locations as students from the United States are accustomed to.

Electricity

• You will need an adapter for Hong Kong.
• While an adapter makes your device fit into the local outlet, a converter converts the voltage. The voltage will not be the same as in the U.S. For that reason, it is recommended that you do NOT bring appliances such as hair dryers or hair straighteners with you unless you also purchase a voltage converter.

Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong Dollar as a measure of currency.

Using Money

• Cash is the common payment method and can be used anywhere. Credit and debit cards are also common, and both debit and credit cards are widely accepted. Note that cards may not be accepted at local restaurants.
• Internet banking/bank transfers are the most common payment method for regular bill payments.
• While paying for items with a card, if the machine asks whether you want your currency converted into dollars or to be kept in the local currency, choose to keep it in the local currency to prevent extra costs.

Banking Tips

• Octopus Card is highly recommended for transportation as well as consumption in convenient stores and many chain restaurants.
• If you plan to use a US credit or debit card while in Hong Kong, be sure to notify your bank that you will be using it abroad and find out how much of an international surcharge will be added for each card swipe.
• Try to avoid using ATMs that are part of a store. These will often have higher fees and are known to have security issues. It is better to use an ATM at a bank, even if the ATM is inside the bank and you have to swipe your card to enter the building in order to use the ATM.
• Many US banks will allow you to exchange dollars for HKD in advance of your trip at little to no cost. It is recommended that you travel to Hong Kong with enough HKD to last you several days, or exchange dollars for HKD directly at the airport upon arrival so that you have an emergency back-up option if you have issues with your cards.

Climate

• Hong Kong has a humid subtropical climate.
• Summer is hot and humid, with occasional showers and thunderstorms and warm air from the southwest. Typhoons occur most often then. Winters are mild and usually sunny. The most temperate seasons are spring and autumn, which is generally sunny and dry.

Packing

• For packing tips, view the Packing List (PDF).

Traveling Locally

• The most common transportation in Hong Kong is the Mass Transit Railway (MTR).
• MTR connects 93 metro stations throughout the city. With a daily ridership of over 5 million, the system serves 41 percent of all public transit passengers in the city and has an on-time rate of 99.9 percent.
• A single trip usually costs between 10 - 30 HKD. Octopus card is highly recommended for transportation by MTR.
• Taxis and Buses are available as well, but notice that vehicle traffic is extremely congested in urban areas.

Flights

• The main airport is Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).
• There are 3 ways available to get from the airport to the city center: taxi, MTR, and buses.

Each student faces different barriers and unique challenges based on their identity. For example, how you identify in the United States may not be how you choose to identify abroad because of the local social culture. We encourage all students to reflect on the different aspects of their identity and consider how they may play a role in their study abroad experience. To help with this thought process: visit the State Department website and look into the Identity & Inclusion resources available on this website.

International Safety and Security provides important wellness tips, along with using your insurance and the emergency phone number. Be sure to become familiar with this website and the resources available to you. Review the U.S. Embassy page and the Department of State website for additional safety resources.

Enroll yourself in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) with the U.S. Department of State. Registration in STEP will allow you to get alerts on the latest safety and security information. In addition, the information you provide enables the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency.