2002 Hong Kong International Races

Tourist Information

1. Electricity

Voltage in Hong Kong is 220 volts, so a transformer will be needed to operate 100-volt appliances.

2. Banking

Most major banks are open from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm from Monday to Friday, and from 9:00 am to noon on Saturdays. Automated teller machines (ATMs) can be found almost everywhere, especially in shopping areas. Visa and MasterCard holders can withdraw cash (Hong Kong dollars) at certain HSBC "Electronic Money" machines. American Express cardholders can withdraw cash at Jetco ATMs and Express Cash ATMs.

3. Currency Exchange

Currency exchange facilities will be available on the racecourse for the meetings at Happy Valley on 11 December and at Sha Tin on 15 December.

Since 1983, the Hong Kong dollar has been pegged to the US dollar at a rate of US$1 to HK$7.8, but the market rate of exchange is allowed to fluctuate within a narrow range. The following approximate exchange rates were current at the time of writing:

Australian Dollar	1	= HK$ 4.4
Canadian Dollar	1	= HK$ 5.0
Euro	1	= HK$ 7.7
Japanese Yen	100	= HK$ 6.7
New Zealand Dollar	1	= HK$ 3.3
Pound Sterling	1	= HK$ 11.9
Singapore Dollar	1	= HK$ 4.3
U.A.E Dirham	1	= HK$ 2.0
U S Dollar	1	= HK$ 7.8

Legal tender is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$). There are 100 cents in a dollar. Coins, issued by the government, are bronze-coloured for 10 cents, 20 cents and 50 cents; silver-coloured for HK$1, HK$2, and HK$5; nickel and bronze for HK$10. Notes issued by HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank have denominations of HK$10, HK$20, HK$50, HK$100, HK$500, and HK$1,000. The Bank of China issues all of the denominations except HK$10.

4. Public Transport

Hong Kong has a diverse and efficient public transport system consisting of cable cars, buses, ferries, hovercrafts, minibuses, subways - the Mass Transit Railway (MTR), taxis, trains and trams. The MTR is a convenient way of travelling around Hong Kong, and the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong is located very close to Wanchai Station on the blue Island Line.

5. Taxes and Tipping

Most hotels and restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge and a 3% government tax to the bill. Waiters expect to pick up loose change and an additional 5% tip may be given. When a service charge is not included on the bill, a 10% tip is acceptable. Small tips may also be given to service workers such as porters. For taxi drivers, simply round up to the nearest dollar.

6 Tourist Attractions

You may wish to attend either the Day Tour or the Boat Tour organised by the HKJC on Saturday 14 December for our visitors to sample some of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong. Below is a list of other major tourist attractions which you may wish to visit on your own during the Hong Kong International Races Week.

Before you go, please check the opening hours and ask about the best times to visit. The Hong Kong Tourism Board's Visitor Information & Services Centres and the Concierge at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong will be able to provide further information.

Admiralty
Hong Kong Park
Pacific Place
Peak Tram
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Central / Mid-Levels
Lan Kwai Fong
Star Ferry
SoHo
The Landmark

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Tsim Sha Tsui
Clock Tower
Hong Kong Museum of Art
The Park Lane
The Peninsula Hotel

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