Hong Kong 101 is an introduction of a vibrant city to people who are going to visit Hong Kong for the first time. The information herein is specially tailored to assist the US dragon boat community and dragon boat enthusiasts who are planning to participate in the 2012 Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival.

Hong Kong is divided into three parts geographically: Hong Kong island, Kowloon peninsula and New Territory which borders with main land China. Hong Kong is a special administration region of China. It is governed under its own law. There is border control between Hong Kong and China. The official languages are both Chinese and English.

Visitors holding US passport don’t need visa to Hong Kong or Macau. Visa to China can be applied at the PRC consulate General in San Francisco, or at the China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Ltd upon arrival.

Hong Kong currency is pegged to the US dollar at the exchange rate of about US$1 to HK$7.8.