What Should Tourists Not Do in Hong Kong?

There are several things that travelers should avoid while in Hong Kong, including scams and overpriced activities. Read on to discover what to avoid. Beware of shady taxi drivers, overpriced souvenirs, and crowds. Avoid the night markets! Don’t leave your valuables unattended. Be careful about the people you meet, and avoid the areas where touts prey on tourists.

Avoiding scammers

When visiting Hong Kong, you must be aware of the prevalent scams. This vibrant metropolis is a melting pot of cultures, well connected with well-functioning transport links, and home to numerous shady characters. Unfortunately, these places are also easy targets for scammers. To avoid falling victim to scams while visiting Hong Kong, you must know what to look for as a tourist and local.

Beware of touts and fake taxis. You might encounter a white lady in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong’s famous nightlife district. This woman will approach you and ask you to buy scratch tickets. Once you have purchased the keys, you’ll be required to go to an advertised location, where you can claim your prize. Depending on the scam, you may have to spend hours listening to speakers before you claim your bonus.

Be wary of «traditional medicine» clinics. These clinics usually operate as a part of tour groups and rely on tourists to pay them. While it may be tempting to buy a fake product, you should not make the mistake of buying something too cheap. This scam is more common in Mong Kok, famous for its affordable night markets. However, you should avoid purchasing a fake Rolex wristwatch, a jade necklace, or a ‘Lost in Hong Kong’ shirt.

Avoiding crowds

While the recent protests and political unrest have temporarily subsided, you should still be aware of your surroundings and avoid large crowds whenever possible. While you may enjoy Hong Kong’s famous nightlife, you should avoid areas where groups tend to gather, especially at the weekend. While some demonstrations have dissolved into peaceful rallies, others have escalated to violence. In this case, you should avoid standing near popular hotels and shopping areas and try to avoid large groups. Additionally, avoid wearing white, black, or masks, as these could be associated with protests.

The biggest issue is preventing yourself from becoming a victim of protest violence. While most people in Hong Kong seem polite, they might not realize the potential danger is lurking around them. If you are unsure, try to avoid crowds altogether, particularly at popular spots such as the MTR stations and tourist attractions. If you go to a popular site, consider traveling in the off-season. You’ll find the most affordable rates for the attractions you want to see, and you’ll be able to avoid the tense situation that often comes with such activities.

As with any tourist attraction, the best time to visit Hong Kong is when it’s not too hot. Early autumn and early spring are the best times to visit. They are less crowded, and hotels are cheaper. But be aware that it’s also the wettest and hottest time of year. While the weather can be calm and bearable in fall and spring, the weather in late September and early October will be scorching and muggy. It would help if you weighed your desires against these seasons’ discomfort and high prices.

Avoiding taxi drivers

If you’re traveling in Hong Kong, you may have to deal with various bad drivers. The penalties for illegal fares are lenient, and most complainants won’t bother going through the entire process. This is because of a lapse in regulation that allows terrible apples to run amok. The HKSAR Government should address this issue to prevent bad apples from operating. It’s also important to remember that HK$500 and HK$1000 notes aren’t legally required to be exchanged for HK$2.

One way to avoid bad cabbies in Hong Kong is to ensure the taxi driver has a manual transmission. Manual transmission taxis require the driver to keep one foot on the brake to start up a hill. This would cause you to fall back down the mountain and could also lead to injuries. By practicing self-respect, you’ll have a much better chance of avoiding lousy taxi drivers.

The regulations require cab drivers to display their licenses in public places. However, some drivers resist such laws. The government is considering installing dashboard cameras on taxis, but many drivers are wary of this change. As the city’s largest employer, the association is not interested in installing cameras on cabs, which could lead to driver harassment. Despite the new law, however, taxi drivers remain cautious despite the regulations.

Avoiding night markets

There are many benefits to visiting Hong Kong’s night markets, but it’s also essential to know how to avoid them. While there are two main night markets in the city — the official one on Temple Street and the unofficial one on the streets of Jordan — there are many other areas where you can experience similar activities. However, they may not be as significant. In any case, there’s something for every visitor in Hong Kong.

Visiting the Temple Street Night Market in Central Kowloon is an excellent way to experience a Hong Kong night market, one of the city’s most prominent. This five-block stretch is lined with clothing, shoes, electronics, and souvenirs. The market also has fortune tellers and other performers who entertainingly entertain shoppers. While shopping at the Temple Street Night Market, watch your wallet and avoid buying anything too expensive.

Some hawker markets have become tourist attractions, and other night markets are popular places to visit. For example, the Shilin Night Market is one of the most popular places to eat, while the night markets in Hong Kong are also popular with locals. While the government banned street hawkers in 1971, they are still an essential part of the city’s culture, as they offer a way to earn a living and contribute to a stable society.

Avoiding typhoons

Although typhoons in Hong Kong can be dangerous, they are rare and rarely cause significant problems for tourists. One notable exception was the typhoon Mangkhut, which hit Hong Kong on September 16 this year. The storm injured 394 people and killed none, but Hong Kong still suffered some damage and remained safe. Visiting Hong Kong in the summer is best avoided during the peak typhoon season from late July to early September. The average low temperature during this time is 27 deg C, and the maximum temperature is 90 deg. The average monthly rainfall is 324 mm.

To avoid typhoons when visiting Hong Kong, check the Hong Kong Observatory’s typhoon warning system. During hurricanes, the observatory will issue a warning system, which gives residents a couple of days notice of a storm. You can also bring your outdoor furniture inside and trim overgrown garden branches to prevent them from flying into your windows during a storm.

Although Hong Kong is blessed with a temperate climate, the city is vulnerable to natural calamities that can cause massive damage and high casualties. Fortunately, the Hong Kong Observatory can accurately predict typhoons’ arrival times. The observatory also provides warnings so residents can prepare for storms and stock up on supplies. However, this does not mean it’s impossible to avoid typhoons, but it’s a good idea to plan and prepare for them.

Avoiding landslides

Avoiding landslides while visiting Hong Kong is a vital safety precaution. The city is mountainous, with steep slopes and dense urban development. Many of these were built over 50 years ago without proper engineering. These landslides cause extensive socio-economic damage and are often fatal. For this reason, the city has taken several measures to prevent them. Listed below are some tips to avoid them while visiting Hong Kong.

The city has a geotechnical engineering office. This office manages landslide risk. They continue refining the slope safety system, formulating new community resilience strategies, and undertaking cutting-edge research and technology development projects. The work they are undertaking is relevant to the KLC 2020 priority actions. However, despite its high level of risk, Hong Kong is still a safe place to visit and explore.

In addition to preventing landslides, visitors should be aware of how to prevent them. A good rule is avoiding going to areas where common landslides occur. However, it would help if you always took precautions, especially when visiting places where landslides are a threat. The government’s financial stability plays a role in determining how much risk a city should tolerate.

Avoiding air conditioning

Avoiding air conditioning when visiting Hong Kong is a wise decision during the summer, as the heat can be intense. Although the climate in Hong Kong is pleasant, the city is notoriously hot and humid. In addition, Hong Kong is prone to typhoons, so there’s a risk of sudden weather changes. If you plan on spending time outdoors, you may want to bring lightweight clothing. However, if indoor air conditioning is needed, pack a jacket or sweater.

The best time to visit Hong Kong is autumn, as the temperatures remain comfortable day and night. Humidity is lower, and the rains are less frequent. The average rainfall in October is 101mm, or 4.3 inches, much less than the yearly average. Winter in Hong Kong can be surprisingly chilly, with temperatures dipping to just ten degrees. However, it is still warm enough for sightseeing and visiting parks.

The use of air conditioners is also harmful to the environment. While air conditioning units help reduce energy bills, they also contribute to climate change. Air-conditioning units account for more than thirty percent of Hong Kong’s electricity usage, and buildings are responsible for 60 percent of the city’s carbon emissions. Consequently, air conditioning is the least environmentally-friendly option. For three months, a mature tree can absorb the carbon dioxide emitted by one air-conditioning unit.