Be Safe in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is safe and healthy, although precautions need to be taken by those who plan on hiking, and also when eating and drinking. Petty crime is part and parcel of any major tourist destination, and this is also the case with Hong Kong, although violent crime is fairly low.
Health
Hong Kong had cases of the recent SARS outbreak and Avian Flu, like most areas of Asia, although generally, it is a very healthy city. Health concerns for tourists include effects of the heat and humidity coupled with outrageously chilly shopping malls, which may affect one’s system and cause sickness. The Hong Kong government has encouraged owners of public air-conditioned buildings to set their controls at 25.5°C to save energy, although many establishments continue to keep their temperatures lower.
Although tap water is safe to drink, it is advised to drink bottled water, as piped water doesn’t taste very good and many pipes may be contaminated. It is also worth sticking to better known dim sum joints, or at least those that are busy, as stomach upsets are also a common occurrence here. Medical care is very good in Hong Kong, with quality hospitals and clinics as well as Western or Western-trained doctors. Try to avoid the local Chinese clinics or at the very least, be very wary of any herb concoctions that may be prescribed for you.
It is worth getting immunised against Japanese encephalitis if you plan on visiting the New Territories between April and October, and Dengue fever is also on the increase. Health insurance is a must when visiting Hong Kong, as the charge for visiting the accident and emergency section of any public hospital is very expensive.
Hong Kong Central Hospital: +852 2522 3141
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Safety
Hong Kong is as safe as it is healthy, and the crime-ridden days of the Kowloon Walled City are long gone. Petty crime does exist however, and standard vigilance needs to be applied on trains, buses and in busy tourist areas. Keep excessive money and cards, along with passports, in a hotel safe and try not to walk around the sleazy areas of Wanchai late at night. Hiking alone is also not recommended, not least because of the potential of becoming injured and not being able to alert anyone, but also due to unscrupulous individuals coming over the border and targeting lone walkers.
Emergency services: 999