As someone who travels a lot for business, you know just how stressful and fast-paced it can be – and that’s just domestically! What about traveling to Hong Kong and China for work? From hotel accommodations to visas, safety and health concerns, and everything in between, there is a lot to think about!
We’ve put together these tips and tricks for anyone traveling to Hong Kong or China. Whether you want to find state of the art hotel rooms, classy layouts, or are interested in relocating permanently, we think these will help!
Your Passport
Before you head to China, be sure that there is a minimum of one available page for a visa – and that it is good for at least six months. Remember, renewing your passport, or even getting a new one, can take as long as six weeks, so plan ahead. You’ll need a passport whether you are just visiting Hong Kong for work or relocating for a spell.
Your Visa
As long as your Hong Kong visit is going to be 30 days or less, you won’t need to get a separate visa as long as you hold an EU or US passport. But, if you plan on going to China’s mainland, a visa is definitely required. Don’t forget if you plan on going more than just once to China on your visit, get a visa that lasts for multiple entries. This will save you time and money.
Booking Your Flight
Whether you’re moving to China or just visiting Hong Kong for a quick business trip, don’t forget that you might get a better deal than your travel agent. Do your research and you may find that you are able to book a better itinerary. Look for flights that have as few connections as possible. Try to land during the evening hours so that you can try and get some sleep in your top-notch room before morning.
Hotels
Most Chinese hotels as well as those in Hong Kong are actually pretty clean and quite comfortable. However, be prepared for some level of difficulty when communicating with hotel staff. It is a good idea to learn a few words and commonly used phrases as a sign of respect for the local culture. Don’t forget to check for hotels that offer free Internet and workout facilities.
Pack Light
If you don’t have to check any luggage, don’t. The faster you can get off the plane and through customs, the sooner you’ll be able to kick back and relax in your hotel room. The laundry services at most Chinese hotels are inexpensive and fast, so only pack the basics and reuse them for the duration of the trip.
Getting Around
While it is relatively easy to get around most cities within China as well as Hong Kong, it is a good idea to grab a business card from the hotel’s front desk. This way, you’ll always have the address with you (in both Chinese and English) should you need to share it with a cab driver.
Jon Huser
