Hong Kong’s offcial language is Cantonese, the Chinese dialect of the Guangdong province.

The overall English level is good in Hong Kong and is spoken in the main tourist and business areas, hotels and restaurants. Most signage, including the major means of transportation, main stream shopping centres and dining areas are bilingual.

Mandarin (Putonghua) is well established as the third language and is being increasingly used. Corporate business meetings are usually conducted in English, however Mandarin is still essential when conducting business in China.


The local voltage in Hong Kong is 220V and 50Hz AC. The plug / socket system is a 3-rectangular-pin type. Most electronic goods sold in Hong Kong have a universal switch allowing you to adjust the voltage to your requirements. Inexpensive plug adapters are widely available in supermarkets.


Typical Apartments: Typical Hong Kong apartments are one level with a combined living-dining room, kitchen, maid’s room and washroom, utility or laundry area, two to four bedrooms, and one to three bathrooms. Older blocks sometimes have balconies. In some buildings the top oor apartment may have exclusive use of the roof area. Kitchen appliances are usually, but not always, provided. The provision

of stovetops, refrigerators and washing machines is fairly standard. Some apartments are equipped with ovens but it is uncommon to find dishwashers. Air-conditioning is essential in Hong Kong; modern buildings, in almost all cases, are equipped with central or individual systems. Take note to check all rooms when inspecting potential homes.

Modern buildings often provide communal recreational facilities which may include a playground, swimming pool, tennis courts and squash courts.

Townhouses: Hong Kong townhouses are often four or ve levels due to land space restrictions, and size varies from 2,000 square feet to over 5,000 square feet. They are usually on small developments of up to 30 houses, with communal facilities such as a swimming pool, tennis courts or clubhouse. In some cases, a small private garden or a terrace is an added feature.

Houses: A private detached home is a real luxury in Hong Kong, and comes at a luxury price. There are a limited number of homes available at the top end of the market or in outlying areas, which are in high demand.

Popular residential areas: Midlevels, The Peak, Shouson Hill, Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay, Chung Hom Kok, Stanley, TaiTam, Happy Valley, Jardine’s Lookout, Tai Hang, Pokfulam, Sai Kung, Clearwater Bay and Discovery Bay.