Preparation and Insights Before My First Trip to Hong Kong

1. Prepare your personal ID and Hong Kong and Macau permit.

2. In advance, declare your personal health condition and items you are carrying through the WeChat mini-program 'Customs Passenger Finger-Tip Service' (check the customs requirements). The health declaration is valid for 24 hours. On my recent trip to Hong Kong, I was not asked to show the black code.

3. Once you enter Hong Kong, your mainland phone will lose signal, so prepare a Hong Kong SIM card or data package in advance. They are available at the border checkpoints. Alternatively, search 'overseas data' on Alipay to buy a Hong Kong data package. After entering Hong Kong, your mainland carrier may send an SMS offering roaming services. For my one-day budget trip, I bought a China Unicom daily data package on Alipay.

Search 'overseas data' on Alipay, select Hong Kong, and choose a suitable data package. After arriving, you can use your regular apps and Google Maps, but other services may be restricted. Ha ha...

4. Exchange Hong Kong dollars. I don't think it's necessary to exchange at a bank in advance; there are many exchange counters near the border. Currently, you can exchange by scanning WeChat, though the exchange rate is a bit unfavorable. WeChat Pay and Alipay are widely accepted in Hong Kong, including on the MTR, buses, convenience stores, and major shopping malls. It's recommended to carry about 200-300 HKD in cash for emergencies.

One of the currency exchange points before the border.

5. Hong Kong's MTR and buses are extensive with high frequency, making them the top choice for travel.

Note that the gap between the train and the platform on some MTR lines is larger than on the mainland, so be careful.

Many buses in Hong Kong are double-deckers.

The WeChat mini-program 'Ride Code' works for both MTR and buses in Hong Kong.

When using WeChat Pay on the MTR, the settlement is in RMB at the real-time exchange rate.

6. Choosing a port of entry.

I took the high-speed rail to Shenzhen and got off at Shenzhen Station, which is very close to the Luohu Port, making it very convenient.

If you have luggage, you can temporarily store it at the left side of the station entrance.

The MTR is the first choice for travel in Hong Kong, reaching everywhere, but the fares are...

7. Hong Kong scenery.

Finally, I personally find Hong Kong expensive. Don't make impulsive purchases. Before exiting back to the mainland, there are duty-free shops where you can buy cosmetics, cigarettes, and alcohol.

That's all for my simple sharing. Wishing everyone a pleasant trip to Hong Kong!