Doing business
Similar to the UK with English spoken and hand shake introductions, although faster paced and more formal. Smart attire, punctuality, mutual card exchange, bottom line price, showing respect and quick decision making are all essential. No social chit-chat is necessary but celebration/entertaining post-deal is expected.

Cool hotel
Recently opened Luxe Manor designer boutique hotel: a contemporary, high-tech interpretation of a European mansion featuring surrealist décor. 159 rooms have wifi/broadband, a sleek bathroom and flat screen TV concealed in a mirror above an ornate fireplace. Conveniently located in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. See: www.theluxemanor.com

Hip restaurant
Felix atop The Peninsula Hotel in Salisbury Road, Kowloon: modern cuisine with spectacular views and still über-cool in a town where restaurant fashions can change overnight. For fun, try Robot Kitchen, at Park Central shopping mall, where the world’s first automaton ‘waiters’ take orders for steak, pizzas and pasta.

Happening bar
MO at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental in Central; a fashionable hangout for the social elite. Sleek, stylish venue for cocktails, located on the doorstep of the financial district and within easy strolling distance of Lan Kwai Fong nightlife.

No-go area
None since down-at-heel Mongkok was gentrified/commercialised. Try and avoid opportunist muggers. Don’t walk alone at night or on unmarked rural trails. Don’t follow touts into back rooms in search of black market goods.

Must-see sight
The newly available 360-degree panoramic city views from The Peak, reached by funicular and adorned with extra shops plus four brand new restaurants serving Australian, American, Chinese and Japanese seafood specialities. See: www.thepeak.com.hk

Getting downtown
From Hong Kong International Airport to Kowloon or Central taxis cost £12-18, including tolls, taking 30-40 minutes. Also, the high-speed Airport Express train with free onward hotel shuttle bus (from about £6, 25 minutes) or limited-stop Airbus (about £4, 40 minutes).

The details
No visa required by UK citizens for stays of up to six months. Visas are required in advance if travelling on to mainland China. No compulsory inoculations – precautions against malaria and hepatitis are recommended. An anti-SARS measure, a screening machine automatically takes a traveller’s temperature on arrival. Time difference: GMT+7. Currency: £1= HK$14.46 (Oct 2006). Climate: hot, humid summers; mild, humid winters; temperate, pleasant autumn/spring. Contact: British Consulate-General, No 1 Supreme Court Road, Central (PO Box 528); email: commercial@britishconsulate.org.hk

Getting there
From Heathrow, Cathay Pacific four times daily non-stop; British Airways, Qantas and Virgin Atlantic daily or more, non-stop. From Manchester, direct or connecting flights with all of the above. From London City: Lufthansa; from Gatwick: BA, Emirates, Oasis HK; from Birmingham: Emirates, KLM, Air France; from Glasgow: BA, Emirates, Lufthansa; from Edinburgh: BA/Qantas.

INSIDER’S TIP
“Book personalised door-to-door service from the airport to Kowloon or Hong Kong Island. It’s prepaid, reliable and offers flexible service ensuring minimum disruption to the working professional. For really quick transfers from the airport, stay at The Peninsula and go by helicopter as there is a helipad on the roof.”
Catherine Rankin, FCm Travel Solutions Asia-Pacific

Compiled by Tom Hall on behalf of Lonely Planet. www.lonelyplanet.com

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