Hong Kong Dawoodi Bohra Jamaat - Local Information
Local Accommodation
Hong Kong has a wide variety of hotels catering to all types of travellers. Both budget consious travellers as well as those looking for five-star luxury should be able to find accommodation suitable to their requirements.
A large amount of information about local hotels and hostels in Hong Kong is available via the Google Directory. Please note that the Hong Kong Jamaat has not confirmed the accuracy of information provided on the linked websites and cannot take responsibility for any discrepancies therein.
For information about rates and availability of rooms, please contact the respective hotels directly.
Visitors frequently ask whether we have a musafirkhana. Unfortunately we do not and are unable to provide any accommodation facilities.
Transport within Hong Kong and to China
Hong Kong has an excellent and relatively inexpensive public transport system. Below are links to some of the most useful websites related to moving around Hong Kong and travelling to China:
- Airport Express - Trains to and from the airport to Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Tsing Yi
- MTR - Underground and overground trains within Hong Kong and to China (Lo Wu/Luohu, Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang, Canton/Guangzhou, and Dongguan)
- Citybus - Operates bus routes on Hong Kong Island
- New World First Bus - Operates bus routes on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon
- Kowloon Motor Bus - Operates bus routes in Kowloon
- Star Ferry - Operates ferries between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon
- Hong Kong Tramways - Operates electric tram services on Hong Kong Island
- Peak Tram - Operates tourist tram services between Central and The Peak
- Chu Kong Passenger Ferries - Operates ferry services between Hong Kong and many ports in Guangdong province, China
- Turbojet - Operates ferry services between Hong Kong and Macau
- Taxis - Taxis are easily available throughout Hong Kong and should be paid by meter
China Visa Information
If you require a Chinese visa (almost all nationalities do), ideally you should obtain this from the Chinese consulate in your country before your arrival in Hong Kong. While in certain cases the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (MFA) will grant visas to visitors this is not guaranteed and they have been known to create difficulties for non-Hong Kong residents who apply for visas here. This applies particularly to Indian citizens.
If you still wish to obtain your Chinese visa after your arrival in Hong Kong, you can find more information on the MFA's website.
Update 18 April 2008: The Chinese government has recently announced some changes to visa policy and the full ramifications of this are not yet clear. An article from today's South China Morning Post, a Hong Kong-based daily newspaper on this topic is available: New curbs on travel to the mainland. Travellers are strongly advised to ensure they have the appropriate visas before arrival in Hong Kong.
A notice on the MFA website reads: "Visa applicants are increasing in a large number and need longer waiting time in the visa office recently. If you don't reside or work in Hong Kong permanently, you are required to apply Chinese visa from the Embassy or Consulate-General of Peoples' Republic of China in your resident country. You are welcome to China for tourism, business, visit of the Olympic Games."
Hong Kong Visa Information
Most visitors to Hong Kong do not require a visa and will be granted entry upon arrival. You can check whether you are eligible for visa free entry to Hong Kong on the Immigration Department website.
If you are ineligible for visa free entry, more information on how to apply for a visa is available here.