LATEST INFORMATION

For information on exhibitions see CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

SMARTPHONE BOARDING PASSES TO BE INTRODUCED AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

During February 2012, smartphone boarding passes will become available to about half of all passengers departing from Hong Kong International Airport. The system, which has already been widely introduced at US airports, allows passengers to receive a form of barcode known as a QR code on their smartphone screens, which can be held against a scanner and eliminates the need for a paper boarding pass. Participating airlines are Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, United Airlines, Air France, Delta and Emirates.



NGONG PING 360 CLOSURE UNTIL EARLY APRIL 2012

Ngong Ping 360 cable car system is closed from 26th January 2012 until further notice and is not expected to reopen until early April 2012. The closure is a result of a technical investigation by team comprised of Ngong Ping 360 engineers and the cable car system
manufacturer from Italy following a series of technical faults, the latest of which occurred on 25th January and left passengers stranded for up to 90 minutes.

Preliminary technical findings have confirmed irregular wear on the surface of the inner ring of one of the system's bullwheel bearings. This would have affected smooth rotation of the bearing, resulting in slight vibrations which were picked up by the automatic monitoring system. This does not impact on safe cable car operations but could result in less comfortable rides and possible stoppage should the vibration sensors be triggered.

Ngong Ping 360 has decided to replace the faulty bearing and, as a matter of prudence, bearings on each of the six other bullwheels. The annual servicing, inspection and testing of the system, which is normally carried out in June, is being brought forward to take place after replacement of the bearings has been completed. Work in replacing the bearings, as well as the subsequent checks and tests is expected to take several weeks. Time is needed to erect lifting frames for the bullwheels which weigh either four or eight tonnes. The remote location of the Nei Lak Shan Angle Station adds to the complexity of the work as all heavy engineering materials have to be transported to the site by helicopter, which requires coordination with the relevant service providers and government departments. Adding the several days required for the annual servicing and examination by an independent ropeway surveyor, Ngong Ping 360 estimates that the work will take about two months. However, weather will also be a determining factor in how quickly the materials can be delivered and the progress of works. The exact date for resumption of service will not be announced until after completion of the annual examination.

Ngong Ping Village, the Giant Buddha, Po Lin Monstery and other Ngong Ping attractions remain open as usual.

Alternative transportation between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping is Lantau (blue) taxI (fare about HK$170) or New Lantao Bus Company service 23;

http://www.newlantaobus.com/road_23.htm



SPRING LANTERN CARNIVALS & EXHIBITIONS

To celebrate the Spring Lantern Festival, three lantern carnivals are to be held between 4th and 6th February 2012, in addition to a lantern exhibitions, "Glittering Toys - A Showcase of Chinese Zodiac" and "Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition on Craftsmanship of Festive Lion/Dragon Making", which is already running. Admission to the lantern exhibitions and carnivals is free.

The three lantern carnivals organised by Hong Kong's Leisure and Cultural Services Department will be held at Tsuen Wan Sha Tsui Road Playground on 4th February at Tseung Kwan O Po Tsui Park on 5th February and at Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) Piazza on 6th February. Festive lantern installations at the three venues will also be on display from 3rd to 6th February.

In addition to the colourful lantern installations, the lantern carnivals will include a range of entertainment. The National Song and Dance Troupe of Inner Mongolia Hing'a will showcase spectacular folk songs and dances as well as distinctive xöömei throat singing and matouqin instrumental performances. Mongolian folk art including bark painting and paper-cutting, demonstrations of Chinese folk craft such as dough figurines, finger painting by Guangdong masters and small palatial lantern making by local masters will also be on show.

Details of the three lantern carnivals are as follows:

NEW TERRITORIES WEST LUNAR NEW YEAR LANTERN CARNIVAL
Date and time: 4th February 2012 (Saturday),
7.30pm to 10.30pm
Venue : Tsuen Wan Sha Tsui Road Playground
Programmes : Inner Mongolia ethnic songs and
dances, xöömei throat singing and
matouqin performances, Chinese folk
craft demonstrations, Chinese
instrumental performance, lion dance,
Cantonese operatic songs, lantern
quiz, fortune-telling, game stalls,
wish-making corner and roving
entertainment.

NEW TERRITORIES EAST LUNAR NEW YEAR LANTERN CARNIVAL
Date and time: 5th February 2012 (Sunday),
7.30pm to 10.30pm
Venue : Tseung Kwan O Po Tsui Park
Programmes : Inner Mongolia ethnic songs and
dances, xöömei throat singing and
matouqin performances, Chinese folk
craft demonstrations, unicorn dance,
choral performance, harmonica,
accordion and saxophone performances,
arts pavilion, lantern quiz,
wish-making corner and roving
entertainment.

URBAN LUNAR NEW YEAR LANTERN CARNIVAL
Date and time: 6th February 2012 (Monday),
7.30pm to 10.30pm
Venue : Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza
Programmes : Inner Mongolia ethnic songs and
dances, xöömei throat singing and
matouqin performances, Chinese folk
craft demonstrations, Cantonese opera
excerpts, Cantonese folk music,
Chinese ethnic dances, dragon dance,
lantern quiz, fortune-telling, game
stalls and wish-making corner.

Organised by Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the "Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition on Craftsmanship of Festive Lion/Dragon Making" will remain on display in the foyer of the HKCC until 8th February 2012. The exhibition displays paper effigies of golden dragons, festive lion dances and Hailufeng unicorns to showcase traditional techniques by three local paper-craft masters.

Another thematic lantern exhibition, "Glittering Toys - A Showcase of Chinese Zodiac", will continue at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza until 26th February 2012. Lantern designs based on the 12 animals of Chinese Zodiac are interwoven with Chinese folk toys, such as clay toys and cloth toys from different parts of China. For example, the dragon lantern is modelled on clay toys of Shaanxi Province. In addition, eight "auspicious circle" lantern installations with themes including Five Blessings to Your Family, Successive Years of Surplus and Seasons of Wishful Days wish good fortune to members of the public.

Lunar New Year thematic lantern exhibition: "Glittering Toys - A Showcase of Chinese Zodiac" runs until 26th February 2012 at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza

HONG KONG MARATHON SUNDAY 5th FEBRUARY 2012 - ROAD CLOSURES AND SPECIAL TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS

In connection with the Hong Kong marathon, half-marathon and 10km races, which take place on Sunday 5th February 2012, numerous road closures and bus route diversions and suspensions will be implemented.

This year, the 10-kilometre races will continue to be held on the Island Eastern Corridor and the finishing point of the 10-km race and half and full marathon races will be located at Victoria Park.

For the 10-km race, both the east- and west-bound carriageways of the Island Eastern Corridor between Victoria Park Road and Shau Kei Wan will be closed from 2am on Sunday. Traffic along the Island Eastern Corridor will be diverted to King's Road and Shau Kei Wan Road. Traffic to and from the Eastern Harbour Crossing will be diverted to the Sai Wan Ho exit/entrance.

For the half and full marathons, road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in phases at various locations in the territory from 11.45pm on Saturday (February 4). The races will start at Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui and take the route via the West Kowloon Highway, Tsing Sha Highway, Stonecutters Bridge, Nam Wan Tunnel, Cheung Tsing Highway, Tsing Ma Bridge, Ting Kau Bridge, Cheung Tsing Highway, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Tsing Kwai Highway, West Kowloon Highway, Western Harbour Tunnel, Connaught Road West flyover, Man Po Street, Man Kwong Street, Man Yiu Street, Lung Wo Road, Fenwick Pier Street, Convention Avenue, Hung Hing Road, Marsh Road flyover, Lockhart Road, East Point Road and Great George Street and will finish at Victoria Park.

Services on MTR lines (except Disneyland Resort Line and Airport Express) will commence from between 3-25am and 4-22am in order to enable participants to travel to Victoria Park and Tsim Sha Tsui to prepare for the races and special bus services will operate for runners wishing to travel to Victoria Park.

For full details see the Transport Department website;

http://www.td.gov.hk/en/traffic_notices/index_id_28765.html



LEGCO COMPLEX OPEN DAY

To mark the opening of the Hong Kong SAR's Legislative Council (LegCo) Complex at Tamar, a two-day Open Day will be held on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th February 2012 for members of the public. In addition to guided tours, there will be games booths, exhibitions and performances.

Guided tours will be held from 10am to about 7pm (the last tour starting at 6pm) on the two-day Open Day. Each tour will last for about 75 minutes and will cover all conference and educational facilities in the LegCo Complex, including the Chamber, conference rooms, Viewing Gallery, Memory Lane and Education Gallery.

Games booths will be set up in the covered area under the drum of the Chamber, where members of the public can learn more about the work of the Council through a range of educational games. A Photo Corner, with the image of the Chamber as the backdrop, will be set up for individual Members to meet the public and take photos and a souvenir booth will be set up to provide a selection of LegCo souvenirs.

Not only can visitors pay a visit to the LegCo Complex, but they will also have the opportunity to observe various performances, including lion dance, marching band, choir and handbell ensemble, Chinese instrumental ensemble and magic.

President of the LegCo, Mr Jasper Tsang; Chairman of the House Committee, Ms Miriam Lau; and Deputy Chairman of the House Committee, Mr Fred Li, will officiate at an opening ceremony at 9.30am on 11th February at the Main Lobby of the LegCo Complex to mark the start of the event.

Members of the public who wish to join the guided tours are requested to obtain admission tickets in advance. To obtain tickets, members of the public can queue up outside Public Entrance 1 of the LegCo Complex from 9am to 2pm on Saturday 4th February or make online registration to reserve tickets from 9am onwards on Saturday 4th February. Each person may obtain a maximum of four tickets, and tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis;

http://www.legco.gov.hk/english/open_day/default.html

The new LegCo Complex forms part of the Tamar Development Project which includes relocation of the Central Government Offices to the Tamar site and a phased relocation of goverment departments to the Tamar site began in the autumn of 2011.

GUIDED EDUCATIONAL TOURS of the LegCo Complex are also provided throughout the year and are available to members of the public, schools and charitable organisations free of charge. Tours are arranged from 9am to 6pm, Mondays to Sundays throughout except six public holidays including New Year Day, first and second days of the Chinese New Year, HKSAR Establishment Day, National Day and Christmas Day. Tours are conducted mainly in Cantonese but are also available in English and Putonghua. During the tour, visitors can visit the conference facilities and education facilities such as the Public Gallery of the Chamber, Viewing Gallery, Memory Lane and Education Gallery. For further details and online registration see;

http://www.legco.gov.hk/general/english/visiting/guided.html

The LegCo Complex is easily accessed by public transport. It can be reached by MTR (via Admiralty Station Exit A and a short walk along the footbridge) as well as a number of bus routes. For more information on access to Tamar see;

http://www.td.gov.hk/mini_site/tamar/content_eng.html



TAI FU TAI MANSION AND MAN LUNG FUNG ANCESTRAL HALL MAINTENANCE WORKS

Visitors intending to view Tai Fu Tai Mansion and Man Lung Fung Ancestral Hall at San Tin should note that maintenance works are being carried out at both these historic buildings and some parts of the buildings are not temporarily not accessible. Works at Tai Fu Tai Mansion are expected to be completed by the end of February 2012 and at Tai Fu Tai Mansion by early April 2012.



ANNUAL VISITOR ARRIVALS SURGE TO OVER 41 MILLION

Hong Kong Tourism Board announced on 20th January 2012 that total visitor arrivals to Hong Kong for the year January to December 2011 amounted to a record 41,921,310, representing a year-on-year increase of 16.4%. The increase was driven mainly by the huge growth in visitors from Mainland China which grew by 23.9% and totalled 28,100,129 representing 67% of all visitor arrivals.

The number of overnight visitors grew by 11.1% to 22,316,073 representing 53.2% of all visitor arrivals.

According to latest projections, visitor spending during 2011 is expected to exceed HK$253 billion, an increase of 20.5% over 2010, and per capita spending is expected to rise for both overnight visitors and same-day visitors, respectively by 9% to HK$7,333 and by 4% to HK$1,920.

A more detailed breakdown of visitor arrivals for 2011 can be found under ABOUT HONG KONG



BRAND HONG KONG SOUVENIRS LAUNCHED

BrandHK gifts and products are now available. They include T-shirts, ties,
mahogany chopsticks, eco-friendly canvas bags and silk scarves incorporating winning artworks by Hong Kong students. A popular gift is a trendy umbrella displaying an artist's impression of the Hong Kong skyline under the stars. All BrandHK products carry the BrandHK dragon icon which spearheads the city's identity at home and abroad. Catalogue of products can be viewed online;

http://gia.info.gov.hk/general/201112/22/P201112220380_0380_88356.pdf
 
Sales outlets are Hong Kong Trade Development Council's Design Galleries at Level 1 of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, and at Level 6 of the Departures Hall in Terminal 1 of Hong Kong International Airport. The other two sale outlets are the Fish Marketing Organization Gift Shop at 102, Shek Pai Wan Road, at the fish market on Aberdeen Promenade and the Information Services Department's Publications Sales Unit at Room 402, 4/F, Murray Building, Garden Road, Central.

Brand Hong Kong (BrandHK) was originally launched by the Hong Kong Government in 2001 as a communications platform to promote Hong Kong as "Asia's World City" to a global audience. The brand was "revitalised" and relaunched with a new dragon logo in March 2010. For more information about BrandHK see;

http://www.brandhk.gov.hk/en/#/ 

BrandHK logo appears on the new range of gifts and souvenirs

FIRST FERRY "ISLAND HOPPING PASS" PROMOTION EXTENDED

New World First Ferry Services Limited ("First Ferry") "Island Hopping Pass" promotion, aimed at encouraging visitors to tour Hong Kong's scenic outlying islands, has been extended to 30th June 2012. The pass, valid on day of purchase, allows unlimited rides on ferries of First Ferry's outlying island ferry routes between Central, Lantau Island and Cheung Chau and Inter-Islands Ferry route to Peng Chau on the date of purchase (between Mondays to Saturdays (except Hong Kong Public Holidays)) for HK$60. The Pass is available for purchase at the First Ferry Customer and Octopus Services Centres (open 6-30am to midnight daily) at Central Pier 5 and Central Pier 6 on Hong Kong Island, with a complimentary copy of "Hong Kong's Outlying Islands Guide Book" detailing attractions and scenic spots on these outlying islands. Visitors need to produce passports when purchasing the pass.

For full details see;

http://www.nwff.com.hk/eng/whatsnew/?id=131



DISNEYLAND ATTENDANCE INCREASE

Hong Kong Disneyland has announced an increase in attendances of 13% from 5.1 million to 5.9 million for the financial year ended September 2011. Although the park did not meet its target of breaking even by 2011, its sixth year results recorded an increase in revenue to HK$3.6 billion and a net loss of HK$237 million, down considerably from the HK$718 million loss in the previous year. About 45% of visitors were from mainland China and 24% from other overseas locations whilst 31% of visitors were local. Occupancy rates at the two hotels was 91%, up 9% from the previous year.

Disneyland has also indicated it is planning to double visitor numbers to 11 million by 2022, by further park expansion and engaging in an alliance of businesses, Lantau Economic Development Alliance, with a joint strategy of turning Lantau Island into a major tourist destination. The alliance hopes to take advantage of the expected increase in visitors on completion of the forthcoming Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macau bridge, which will start off Lantau Island, Hong Kong International Airport's third runway and the Guangzhou - Shenzhen - Hong Kong express rail link. In the long term Disneyland is also considering building a further four hotels at the resort.



OCEAN PARK ANNOUNCES "OLD HONG KONG" ATTRACTION

Ocean Park, which celebrated its 35th anniversary in January 2012, has announced a new attraction "Old Hong Kong", which will be open to the public from March 2012. The 35,500 sq metre attraction will feature a typical 1950's to 1970's Hong Kong street with tong lau (old tenement buildings), vintage tram, rickshaw, clock tower and colonial police post and will include a dai pai dong selling food, and a Kee Wah Bakery. The clock will chime every 15 minutes and will replicate the sound of the old Star Ferry clock tower in Central. The replica tram, which is being built by Hong Kong Tramways, will be static.



AIRPORT EXPRESS AND MTR TUNG CHUNG LINE SERVICE FREQUENCY ENHANCED

Effective from 15th January 2012, the frequency of Airport Express trains is to be increased from 12-minute interval to 10 minute interval from start of daily service until midnight. From midnight until close of service each day the service will revert to the existing 12 minute interval.

MTR is celebrating the new 10-minute Airport Express frequency with a new promotion
offering Child Octopus holders free rides to and from the airport on the 10th, 20th and
30th of each month from 20th January 2012 until 30 April 2012, a total of 10 days.

Effective from 21st January 2012, between 12 noon and 10pm, service frequency for trains on the Tung Chung Line will be increased to 8 minute intervals. During other Tung Chung Line service hours the current 10 minute frequency will be maintained.



RELAXATION OF TAXI ACCESS TO MA WAN

Since 25th November 2011, restrictions on taxi access to Ma Wan (the location of Noah's Ark) have been relaxed. Taxis are now allowed access to Ma Wan at all times except during the hours of 7am to 8am on Monday to Friday (other than on public holidays) and during the hours of 8pm to 7am (next day) on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.



NEW SERIES HONG KONG BANKNOTES

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the three note-issuing banks, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) and Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, have announced that the HK$20 banknotes of the three note-issuing banks and HK$100 banknotes of HSBC will go into circulation on 11th January 2012.

The HK$50, HK$100, HK$500 and HK$1000 banknotes are already in circulation (except for the HSBC HK$100 banknote, which was delayed owing to a design flaw) and with the issue of these new banknotes, the entire 2010 Series Hong Kong Banknotes will be in circulation.

The existing plastic HK$10 note, which was issued by HKMA is no longer printed.

All existing banknotes will continue to be legal tender and will continue in circulation alongside the new notes until being gradually withdrawn when they become unfit for circulation.

Designs of the new notes can be viewed on the HKMA website;

http://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/currency/2010_series/



HONG KONG ATTRACTIONS FUN DEALS PROMOTION EXTENDED

Five major Hong Kong attractions, Ocean Park Hong Kong, Ngong Ping 360, Hong Kong Wetland Park, The Peak Tram & Sky Terrace and Madame Tussauds Hong Kong have extended the "Hong Kong Attractions Fun Deals" joint promotion for another year, to run until 31st December 2012.

Visitors to any one of the five attractions are entitled to a 10% admission discount by presenting the ticket stubs at any of the other four attractions. Redemption period for valid tickets from the five attractions has been extended to January 31, 2013.

During 2011 over 16,000 visitors took advantage of the promotion.



MTR TOURIST TICKETS PROMOTIONAL OFFER

From 1st January 2012, purchasers of MTR's Tourist Day Pass, Airport Express Travel Pass and Tourist Cross-boundary Travel Pass can save up to 33% on admission prices to some of Hong Kong's major tourist attractions. Offers include;

HK$40 or HK$50 off the published price of 1-day or 2-day HONG KONG DISNEYLAND admission ticket.

HK$20 off regular priced or HK$10 off concessionary admission ticket for MADAME TUSSAUDS HONG KONG.

10% discount off cable car ticket or 15% discount from Journey of Enlightenment Package or 360 Holidays Guided Tour at NGONG PING 360.

Adult admission ticket for HK$100 (HK$50 off original price) or Child admission ticket for HK$85 (HK$30 off original price) for SKY 100 HONG KONG OBSERVATION DECK

For full details see;

http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/tourist/touristticket2012.html



SPACE MUSEUM'S LATEST SKY SHOW

Hong Kong Space Museum's latest sky show, "Hayabusa: Back to the Earth", screening from 1st January 2012 until 30th June 2012, takes audiences on a space journey with the asteroid explorer Hayabusa to the asteroid Itokawa, which is 200 million kilometres away from Earth.

On May 9, 2003, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency successfully launched an M-V vehicle at the Kagoshima Space Centre to send the probe Hayabusa to explore the asteroid Itokawa. Its mission was to collect rock samples and bring them back. After a space journey of more than two years, Hayabusa arrived at Itokawa in September 2005 and conducted three descent operations. During its first two touchdowns on the asteroid, its body suffered significant damage in crash landings. In the last attempt it successfully landed and collected rock samples. Unfortunately, control of some parts of the probe was lost: two of the three gyroscopes broke down and more than one-third of the lithium-ion batteries malfunctioned. Even worse, there was gas leakage at a thruster, leading to incorrect aiming of antennas and consequential loss of communication with the control centre on Earth. The answers as to whether Hayabusa could safely return to Earth and successfully carry the samples back to help provide insight into the mystery of the creation of the solar system are found in the show which takes audiences along on Hayabusa's mission and shares the excitement of exploring the universe, experience the joy of arrival at the destination, and witness the setbacks on its way toward tracing the history of the universe.

The 43-minute sky show "Hayabusa: Back to the Earth" is screened daily at 2.40pm and 6.10pm at the museum's Stanley Ho Space Theatre. There will be an additional screening at 11.10am on Sundays and public holidays. On Chinese New Year's Eve, it will be closed at 5pm. It will be closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays) and the first two days of the Chinese New Year.

Tickets are available at the Space Museum Box Office and at all URBTIX outlets for HK$24 (front stalls) and HK$32 (stalls). Full-time Hong Kong students, senior citizens aged 60 or above and people with disabilities can obtain a half-price concession.

Hong Kong Space Museum is located at 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. For further information, call (852 2721 0226) or visit the website at;

http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Space/Programs/SkyShow/Hayabusa/e_Hayabusa.htm

OCEAN PARK OPENS THRILL MOUNTAIN AND ANNOUNCES RECORD ATTENDANCES AND REVENUE

The latest themed zone to be completed under Ocean Park's 7-year HK$5.5 billion redevelopment plan, Thrill Mountain, was officially opened on 8th December 2011. Located in an area on a mountain top adjacent to the Summit Station of Ocean Express funicular railway, Thrill Mountain has six rides, eight game booths and food and drink outlets. The highlight is Hair Raiser, a floorless roller coaster which hurls riders through multiple inversions, reaching 4.0G in acceleration and a top speed of 88 kilometres an hour during which riders experience breath-taking twists and turns with their feet dangling in mid-air. Other rides include The Flash, a pendulum swing which rotates 360-degrees, Bungee Trampoline, Rev Booster, Whirly Bird and Bumper Blasters. The addition of Thrill Mountain brings the number of rides at Ocean Park to 27.

Ocean Park attendances for the financial year ended June 2011 grew impressively, by over 16% to 5.9 million. The park generated revenue exceeding the billion dollar mark for the first time at HK$1.2 billion and achieved a net profit of HK$105.1 million. As a consequence of the continued expansion of the park under its redevelopment programme, visitors spent an additional 90 minutes in the park. Since the financial year end attendances have continued to soar and between July and November 2011 attendances increased by over 30% with a record monthly attendance of over 900,000 being achieved in August 2011.



MICHELIN GUIDE TO HONG KONG MACAU 2012 PUBLISHED

The Michelin Red Guide Hong Kong and Macau 2012 was published on 3rd December 2011. The fourth edition of the guide first published in 2009, awards a total of 80 stars to 62 dining establishments. Three-star ratings have been awarded to four restaurants, Caprice, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana and Lung Hing Keen. Ten restaurants achieving two-star status are Amber, Bo Innovation, Celebrity Cuisine, Lei Garden (Mongkok), Ming Court, Pierre, Shang Palace, Spoon by Alain Ducaise, Sun Tung Lok and Ye Shanghai (Kowloon). 48 restaurants have been awarded one-star.

For 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, the three-star rating is an elevation from its previous two-star status. Popular restaurant Yung Kee has lost its one-star status. Eateries which feature in the guide’s Bib Gourmand category for offering good value for money, but not quite reaching one-star status include Superior Rice Roll Shop in Prince Edward, which was only established in June 2011.

http://www.michelin.com.hk/hken/Home



NGONG PING 360 PRICE INCREASE

Ngong Ping 360 has announced revised ticket prices with effect from 1st December 2011.

For Standard Cabins revised prices for single trip are HK$86 adult, HK$44 child, HK$70 senior citizen. For round trip revised prices are HK$125 adult, HK$62 child, HK$98 senior citizen.

For Crystal Cabins revised prices for single trip are HK$130 adult, HK$88 child, HK$114 senior citizen. For round trip revised prices are HK$188 adult, HK$125 child, HK$161 senior citizen.



DISNEYLAND'S TOY STORY LAND TO OPEN 18th NOVEMBER 2011

Hong Kong Disneyland's Toy Story Land will open to visitors on Friday 18th November 2011. Toy Story Land is the first of three new themed areas to open under Disneyland's HK$3.63 billion major expansion which commenced in December 2009. Rides in the new area include Slinky Dog Spin, a whirling rollercoaster ride, Toy Soldier Parachute Drop, a 25-metre plunge from a tower and RC Racer, a magnetic levitation ride which travels along a track with 13-metre incline and drop. The other two new themed areas under the expansion plan are Mystic Point, expected to open in 2012 and Grizzly Gulch, expected to open in 2013. Park admission charges will remain unaltered following the opening of Toy Story Land.



OPENING OF PREHISTORIC STORY ROOM

Prehistoric Story Room, a permanent exhibition gallery located in the lobby of the Bank of China Tower, opened on 3rd October 2011. The exhibition illustrates Earth's life history through displays of over 100 valuable fossils and models and is sponsored by BOCHK Charitable Foundation in association with Hong Kong Global Geopark of China. For more information see WHAT'S NEW



HONG KONG WETLAND PARK BIRD WATCHING FESTIVAL 2011/12

Hong Kong Wetland Park is holding the "Bird Watching Festival 2011/12" from 2nd November 2011 until 12th March 2012. During the festival period, visitors will be able to learn about the behaviour of wild ducks through a range of activities including guided tours, a thematic exhibition and workshops. Located next to the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site, the Park is an ideal place for bird watching. To date, the Park has recorded 238 species of birds. Every winter, the Park attracts flocks of birds migrating from the north to inhabit the wetlands. The comic character Ah Lei has been appointed as an ambassador for the bird watching festival and will accompany visitors and help them learn more about the ducks in a light-hearted way. The Park will also present a wide array of activities for visitors including Wetland Duck Tours, a thematic exhibition and art workshops. To tie in with the festival, roving exhibitions titled "Migratory Birds and Wetlands" and "Bird Migration" will also be held at the Hong Kong Science Museum and public libraries to convey wetland conservation messages to the public. For further details and programme of events see;

http://www.wetlandpark.com/en/education/bwf11_12.asp

The Eurasian Wigeon is a common winter migrant to Hong Kong and can be easily seen on the mudflats in the Wetland Park. This duck has a dumpy figure and often swims in groups. The Eurasian Wigeon has a dull plumage when it first arrives at the wintering ground. But as spring approaches, the males change into breeding plumage - the feathers on its head and neck turn reddish brown, while those on its forehead turn milky yellow

CITYBUS AND NWFB LAUNCH iPHONE AND ANDROID APP

Hong Kong bus operators Citybus and New World First Bus (NWFB) have launched a free iPhone and Android App with comprehensive bus route information including "point to point" search function. The App, which has English, traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese interface, can display selected bus routes on a map including en-route bus stops and, utilising GPS, list out all bus routes near to the users current location. Alight reminders can be set up to alert passengers when their bus approaches within 300-metres and 600-metres of their disembarkation stop.The App is available from the iTunes App Store and Android Market by searching under keywords "Citybus" or "NWFB".

The city's other major bus operator, Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB), launched an iPhone App in March 2011.



SPACE MUSEUM'S LATEST OMNIMAX SHOW

Hong Kong Space Museum's latest Omnimax show "Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France" is showing from 2nd November 2011 until 30th April 2012.

Following the thrilling race alongside the riders, the Omnimax show allows audiences to understand how the riders are mentally prepared to manage the different conditions encountered in the race, and how they overcome difficulties with their perseverance, making full use of the potential of their bodies and minds as they strive for victory. As a large-scale bicycle road race with a century-long history, the Tour de France is best known for its gruelling nature and thereby attracts the top cycling teams from all over the world. Held each year in July, the Tour takes place in France and sometimes near the border with neighbouring countries. During the three-week race, riders have to finish more than 3,000 kilometres, climb 3,000-metre-high mountains and endure hot weather in southern France. On average, a cyclist has to complete 180 kilometres every day. Showing the life stories of Jimmy Caspar and Baden Cooke, who took part in the Tour de France, the show tells how riders respond to different conditions in the race and manage various risks with the help of their brains. Weaving together the cyclists' experiences and description of the brain in action, the show enables the audience to learn more about the structure and function of the brain as a vital part of the human body. Audiences can follow the leading group, coming to the last charge for the line, and witness the success that hinges on whether the riders can bring the potential of their brains into full play to win the race.

The 45-minute Omnimax show "Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France" is screened daily at 3.50pm and 7.20pm at the museum's Stanley Ho Space Theatre. There will be additional screenings at 12.20pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The museum is closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays).

Tickets are available at the Hong Kong Space Museum Box Office and at all URBTIX outlets for HK$24 (front stalls) and HK$32 (stalls). Full-time Hong Kong students, senior citizens aged 60 or above and people with disabilities are entitled to a half-price concession.

Another Omnimax show "Sea Rex: Journey to a Prehistoric World" has been running at the museum since 1st September 2011 and continues until 29th February 2012.

Hong Kong Space Museum is located at 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. For further information about Omnimax shows see;

http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Space/WhatsNew/e_index.htm

Cyclists in the Tour de France descend on treacherous mountain roads at speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour, which requires focus, control and split-second timing, gained through years of training and experience

SPECIAL EDITION TOURIST OCTOPUS CARD INTRODUCED

A new tourist product has been has introduced by Octopus Cards Limited. "Sold Tourist Octopus" costs HK$150 with an initial stored value of HK$80. There is no deposit on the card, which operates as a normal adult Octopus Card, and the card itself is non-refundable although the balance of any unused value added to card after purchase is refundable. The card, which can be purchased only at 7-11 convenience stores, comes with HK$650 worth of free vouchers which can be used at various merchants including 7-11, Mannings, Wellcome, Chung Yuen and TSL and also offers purchasers the chance to win a HK$280 theme park ticket or HK$50 cash voucher. For more information see;

http://www.octopus.com.hk/get-your-octopus/choose-your-octopus/limited-edition-octopus/tourist/en/index.html 

TAMAR PARK OPENED

Tamar Park opened to the public on 10th October 2011. The 1.76-hectare park is part of the Tamar Development Project, which includes the new Central Government Offices and Legislative Council Complex. The park features lawn areas and an amphitheatre and offers visitors and office workers an opportunity to enjoy green space in a tranquil environment in the heart of the city. For more information see WHAT'S NEW



SILVERMINE BEACH HOTEL REOPENED

Silvermine Beach Hotel at Silvermine Bay, Mui Wo, on Lantau Island, which closed on 31st August 2011 following change of ownership has reopened on 9th September 2011 under the new name "Silvermine Beach Resort";

http://www.silvermineresort.com/catalog/index.php

The hotel has been acquired by mainland China based Daily Treasure Limited.



NEW "CITYFLYER" AIRPORT BUS ROUTE

With effect from 25th September 2011, Citybus is introducing a new "Cityflyer" airport bus route A29 from the airport to Tsueng Kwan O, serving Tai Wo Ping, Lok Fu, Wong Tai Sin, Diamond Hill, Ngau Tau Kok/Telford Gardens, Kwun Tong, Hang Hau and terminating at  Po Lam Station. Journey time for the whole route is about 70 minutes and the service operates daily at 30-minute frequency, from the airport from 08-40 to 00-10 and from Po Lam Station from 05-15 to 21-15. Adult fare is HK$42 with half-price concession for children and seniors. Full details;

http://www.nwstbus.com.hk/routes/routeinfo.aspx?intLangID=1&searchtype=1&routenumber=A29&route=A29&routetype=D&company=5&exactMatch=yes 

For more information on airport transportation see TO/FROM AIRPORT



HONG KONG GEOPARK ACHIEVES GLOBAL STATUS

Hong Kong National Geopark has been accepted by The Global Geoparks Network (GGN), which is supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), as a member of the GGN at the 10th European Geoparks Conference in Langesund, Norway on 17th September 2011. With the inclusion of Hong Kong Global Geopark of China, the GGN now has 87 members in 27 countries throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, the Middle East and North America.

Following its inclusion as a member of GGN Hong Kong National Geopark has officially been renamed as Hong Kong Global Geopark of China.

Hong Kong Geopark is located in Sai Kung and the north-eastern part of Hong Kong, and became a national geopark in November 2009. Various facilities have since been provided for visitors to the geopark to learn more about geo-features and geo-conservation, including a visitor centre, four geo-heritage centres and 10 geo-tour routes (including both land and sea routes). Since its opening, it has drawn over 1.5 million visitors.

For more information see HONG KONG GEOPARK

Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, receives a certificate from Dr Margarete Patzak, the Secretary of the UNESCO-supported Global Geoparks Network (GGN) when the GGN announced its acceptance of Hong Kong Geopark's application for membership of the GGN at the 10th European Geoparks Conference in Langesund, Norway on September 17 (Langesund time). They are in a group photo with Dr Nickolas Zouros (first left), the Co-ordinator of the European Geoparks Network (EGN), and Mr Patrick McKeever (first right), the Vice co-ordinator of EGN

MACAO DRAGON CEASES TRADING

Macao Dragon, which has been operating ferry services between Hong Kong and Macau since July 2010, has ceased trading with effect from 15th September 2011. The company, which operated four daily sailings each way using 1200-seat fast catamarans, claims it was unable to operate a viable business owing to restrictions on passenger quotas. The Macau Government initially issued a licence for vessels to carry a maximum of 1,152 passengers but this was later limited by the Macau Maritime Administration to maximum of 750 passengers on sailings from Hong Kong and 600 for the return journey from Macau. MacaoDragon substantially undercut its competitors, offering one-way fares from HK$88.

For information on other ferry services between Hong Kong and Macau see TO MACAU.

Macao Dragon, which operated budget fast catamaran services between Hong Kong and Macao ceased trading on 15th September 2011

NEW ENTRY ARRANGEMENTS FOR VISITORS FROM TAIWAN

Under new arrangements effective from 1st September 2011, Taiwan visitors holding a valid "Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents" （台灣居民來往大陸通行證）, commonly known as "Tai Bao Zheng" （台胞證) can visit Hong Kong for 30 days, extended from 7 days, regardless of whether they possess an entry/exit endorsement for the Mainland.

The HKSAR Government is also working on implementation of arrangements to allow Taiwan visitors to make prior entry registration on their own through the Internet, free of charge, and details will be announced by the Immigration Department when finalised.



NEW HARBOURFRONT PROMENADE OPENS

The new 500-metre Hung Hom Promenade and an extension to Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade have been officially opened on 3rd September 2011. The new promenade and the extension are linked by pedestrian footpath alongside the flyover of the Hung Hom Bypass to the existing Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, creating a continous 4km harbourfront promenade stretching from Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui to Fishermans's Wharf and Laguna Verde at Hung Hom. For more information see WHAT'S NEW



SHUN TAK ACQUIRES FIRST FERRY (MACAU) LIMITED

Shun Tak-China Travel Shipping Investments Limited has announced on 11th August 2011 that it has entered into a Sales and Purchase Agreement with New World First Holdings Limited, to acquire all shareholdings in New World First Ferry Services (Macau) Limited and New Ferry -Transporte Marítimo de Passageiros (Macau) Limitada in a transaction amounting to HK$350 million. Shun Tak operates TurboJET high-speed ferry services between Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong and Macau and other Pearl River Delta Ports, whilst First Ferry (Macau) operates high-speed ferry services between China Ferry Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui, in Kowloon to Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal. Shun Tak has confirmed it will maintain current service schedule, fares and staff. For more information on ferry services to Macau see TO MACAU



NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES GEOPARK TOUR REINTRODUCED

Traway Travel has reintroduced its Northeast New Territories Geopark Tour which will operate every Saturday from September 2011 until the end of February 2012 (except 1st October 2011, National Day). The 5-hour tour starts at Ma Liu Shui Pier, near University Station and the itinerary takes in the Tolo Channel, Bluff Head, Chek Chau, Double Haven Marine Park, Lai Chi Wo Hakka Village and Nature Trail and Ap Chau (Duck Island). Assembly point for the tour is outside the entrance of the Sheraton Hotel on Middle Road at Tsim Sha Tsui and the tour price of HK$390 per person includes an English speaking professional tour guide and round-trip ticket for MTR journey from East Tsim Sha Tsui to University Station.

Hong Kong Geopark opened in November 2009 and is one of China's 183 national geoparks.
It covers an area of about 50 square kilometres and is made up of eight geo-areas distributed across the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region and Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region. The park stretches from Tung Ping Chau in the north to the Ninepin Group in the south and includes Double Haven, Tolo Channel, Port Island-Bluff Head, High Island, Sharp Island and Ung Kong Group.

For further information about the tour see Traway Travel website;

http://www.traway.com.hk/



HONG KONG TRANSPORT iPHONE/ANDROID APP AND MOBILE WEBSITE LAUNCHED

The Hong Kong Transport Department has launched "Hong Kong eTransport" an iPhone app and website for mobile phones on 16th August 2011, and has since made the app available to users of Android devices from 29th November 2011. Its existing Public Transport Enquiry Service (PTES), which has recorded more than 1.3 million users since its launch in April 2009, has also been renamed "Hong Kong eTransport".

"Hong Kong eTransport" enables users to search for public transport routes based on individual preference, such as number of transfers, fare, estimated journey time and transport modes, with search results displayed in table form and on a map. Users may set their current location and destination by making use of the smartphone's GPS function in order to facilitate route and information searching and can also enquire about service details of different modes of public transport.

The smartphone app, can be downloaded, free of charge by searching for "HKeTransport" in the iTunes App Store or Android Market. Web address of the mobile website, which is available for mobile phones with internet access, is "m.hketransport.gov.hk". The new website address for the desktop version of "Hong Kong eTransport" is "hketransport.gov.hk".



THREE HOTELS RENAMED

Kosmopolito Hotels International has announced the renaming of three of its Hong Kong hotels from 8th July 2011;

Dorsett Far East Hotel, Tsuen Wan has been renamed Silka Far East Hotel Hong Kong

Dorsett Seaview Hotel, Yau Ma Tei has been renamed Silka Seaview Hotel Hong Kong

Dorsett Kowloon Hotel, Tai Kok Tsui has been renamed Silka West Kowloon Hotel Hong Kong

More information regarding new, future and renamed hotels in Hong Kong is available HERE



MORE TAXIS TO ACCEPT OCTOPUS CARD PAYMENT

Following a succesful trial between December 2010 and May 2011, a further 300 urban taxis from Motion Power are to fitted with Octopus Card readers between July and December 2011 bringing the total taxis equipped to accept Octopus payment to 331 out of Hong Kong's taxi fleet of over 18,000. An iPhone app "TaxiGo" is to be launched which will list nearby Octopus-enabled taxis and allow passengers to order one with the touch of a screen.

In June 2011 an "autoTAXI" system was also launched which will see Visa card readers installed in 600 taxis by the end of 2011 (see below).



TAXI FARE CREDIT CARD SYSTEM LAUNCHED

On 23rd June 2011, following a six-month trail involving 240 taxis, Autotoll, Dah Sing Bank and Visa announced the launch of the "autoTAXI" system, whereby holders of Visa credit cards and Visa payWave cards are able to pay taxi fares using these cards. Users of Visa payWave cards are able to simply swipe these cards against a card reader whilst users of Visa credit cards insert the card into the machine to be processed. At launch date the system was installed in about 100 taxis and expected to have been fitted to at least 600 taxis before the end of 2011. The taxis can be identified by a "white wings" symbol and are nicknamed "flying taxis".



NEW MAPPING SERVICE LAUNCHED

The Hong Kong Government's Lands Department has launched, on 22nd June 2011, "GeoMobile Map Hong Kong", a new mobile mapping service that allows users to view detailed government maps while they are on the move. GeoMobile Map takes advantage of multi-touch technology, allowing users to smoothly zoom in and out of a map on their mobile devices. It also incorporates a comprehensive geographic search engine, supporting not only the search for places, streets and buildings in Hong Kong, but also simple semantic searches, such as "museums in Central", "supermarkets within map area" etc

Through the GPS capability of mobile devices, GeoMobile Map can show the approximate position of a user on the map and identify nearby facilities and points of interest, including tourist attractions (e.g. sight-seeing spots, hotels, heritage trails), public transportation (e.g. ferry piers, MTR exits), leisure and cultural facilities (e.g. performing venues, museums), gas stations, car parks, hospitals, clinics, police stations, post offices, shopping malls, registered pharmacies, convenient stores and supermarkets. In the countryside, this new service displays useful information such as hiking trails, distance posts, viewing points and terrain contours.

GeoMobile Map supports mobile devices and smartphones running on iOS and Android operating systems. GeoMobile Map can be accessed at www.map.gov.hk/mobile

The desktop version can be accessed at;

http://www1.map.gov.hk/gih3/view/index.jsp

"GeoMobile Map Hong Kong" allows members of the general public to conveniently view the more detailed government maps any time, anywhere

OCEAN PARK PRICE INCREASE

Ocean Park is to increase admission prices from 1st September 2011. Revised prices are HK$280 (currently HK$250) for adults and HK$140 (currently HK$125) for children (3-11).

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during July, August and the first two weekends of September the park will remain open until 10pm with a concessionary admission price, for Hong Kong ID card holders only, of HK$150 adult, HK$75 child, entering the park from 6pm.



OCEAN PARK'S "RAINFOREST" OPENS

Ocean Park's latest themed zone "The Rainforest" has opened on 13th June 2011. The zone, located in The Summit area of the park features over 1,000 creatures with 70 species of mammals, birds, fish and insects including the world's smallest monkey, the pygmy marmoset, the world's largest toucan and a herd of capybara, a rodent related to the guinea pig which can grow to 1.34-metres in length. There is also a river raft ride "The Rapids" which courses through the The Rainforest whilst other visitors can aim water guns at the rafts. The Rainforest is part of Ocean Park's 7-year redevelopment and expansion programme which will see the park double in size by 2013 and has already introduced major new attractions including Amazing Asian Animals, Chinese Sturgeon Aquarium - Yangtze Adventure, Ocean Express and Aqua City.



FOUR LONG CLOSED RAMBLER CHANNEL BEACHES REOPEN

Four beaches in Tsuen Wan along the Rambler Channel, namely Lido Beach, Casam Beach, Approach Beach and Hoi Mei Wan Beach are to be reopened for swimming from 15th June 2011 following an improvement in water quality.

Lido Beach, Casam Beach and Hoi Mei Wan Beach have been closed since 2003, while Approach Beach has been closed since the mid-1990s due to poor water quality. Provision of lifeguard services at these beaches has been ceased since then. The improvement in water quality is due to the sewerage improvement works carried out by the Government over the years and the commissioning of the Advance Disinfection Facilities at the Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works on 1st March 2010.

Lifeguard services at the above four beaches will operate daily from 9am to 6pm. The services will be extended to 8am to 7pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays during the peak swimming season from June to August.

Water quality of the other three beaches in Tsuen Wan - Anglers' Beach, Gemini Beach and Ting Kau Beach has also improved but due to the need to carry out improvement works in these beaches, they will be reopened for public use after the completion of the works, expected to be by 2013.

Casam Beach is one of four beaches at Tsuen Wan, reopening 15th June 2011. The remaining three Tsuen Wan beaches are expected to reopen by 2013

NEW HOTEL OPENING

Best Western Hotel Causeway Bay, a new 258-room hotel, located at 38 Bowrington Road, Causeway Bay has opened on 4th June 2011. For more information see the hotel's website;

http://www.bestwesternhotelhongkong.com/en/

Another Best Western Hotel is also under construction in Western District, on Queen's Road West, Sai Ying Pun and expected to open before the end of 2011. For more information about new and future hotels in Hong Kong see NEW AND FUTURE HOTELS



FOUR HONG KONG FESTIVALS INCLUDED IN CHINA'S NATIONAL HERITAGE LIST

Four traditional Hong Kong Festivals have been included in China's national list of intangible cultural heritage from June 2011;

TAI HANG FIRE DRAGON DANCE

The event has been held for more than 100 years. Tai Hang was originally a Hakka village. Legend has it that a plague broke out there in 1880, and to ward off the disease the villagers planted joss sticks in a dragon-shaped form. On the evening of the 14th, 15th and 16th of the eighth lunar month, the villagers paraded the fire dragon through the village and let off firecrackers. The plague ended after the event. From then on, the villagers have performed a three-day fire dragon dance every year to bless themselves.


CHEUNG CHAU JIAO FESTIVAL (BUN FESTIVAL)

The activity has been practised for more than 100 years. Cheung Chau was devastated by a plague in the late Qing dynasty. Local residents set up a sacrificial altar in front of Pak Tai Temple to pray to the god Pak Tai to drive off evil spirits. The residents even paraded deity statues through the village lanes. The plague ceased after performance of the ritual. Since then, residents on Cheung Chau have organised a Jiao Festival every year to express thanks to the god for blessing and protecting them. With residents' participation every year, the ritual has been passed down through the generations.

YU LAN GHOST FESTIVAL OF THE HONG KONG CHIU CHOW COMMUNITY

There are about 1.2 million people originating from Chiu Chow in Hong Kong who actively carry on their traditions. During the ghost festival, which lasts for a month every year, the Chiu Chow people in Hong Kong organise the Yu Lan Festival that starts from the first day of the seventh lunar month and continues until the end of that month. Having been held for more than 100 years, the festival is to offer sacrifices to ancestors and the wandering ghosts in the netherworld. The main activities include burning incense and joss papers, performing live Chinese operas and dramas for ghosts, distributing auspicious rice and auctioning auspicious objects.


TAI O DRAGON BOAT WATER PARADE

During the annual Dragon Boat Festival, three fishermen's associations, Pa Teng, Sin Yu Heung and Hap Sim Tong, organise a religious activity known as the dragon boat water parade. On the morning before the festival, members of the associations row their dragon boats to visit four temples in Tai O, where they receive statues of Yeung Hou, Tin Hau, Kwan Tei and Hung Shing. They carry the deity statues back to their associations' hall for worship. On the day of the festival, the deity statues are put on sacred sampans towed by the associations' dragon boats to parade through Tai O's waters. The deity statues are returned to the respective temples after the ritual. This unique religious activity has been preserved for more than a century.

The HKSAR Government submitted an application for these four items to be inscribed onto the third national list of intangible cultural heritage in September 2009, having been selected from a shortlist of 349 cultural items. The four items fall within the category of "social practices, rituals and festive events" set out in the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
 


iVENTURE CARD INTRODUCES "SEE HONG KONG AND MACAU PASS"

iVenture Card has introduced the "See Hong Kong and Macau Pass", a sightseeing smart card which gives visitors entry to over 15 attractions and includes a free ferry trip between Hong Kong and Macau and entry to the Macau Tower Observation Deck. In addition to providing unlimited entry to attractions such as Big Bus Tours, Peak Tram and DHL Hong Kong Balloon the pass offers unique experiences such as dim sum cooking class, feng shui tour, wine-tasting and a sampan ride on Aberdeen harbour.

iVenture Card International is a Australian-based tourism, lifestyle and entertainment experience company and already operates "See City Pass" in Melbourne, Sydney, Tasmania, Vancouver and Singapore. With the introduction of the "See Hong Kong and Macau Pass" the company has opened an office in Hong Kong in Central district. For full details of the "See Hong Kong and Macau Pass" see;

http://seehongkongpass.iventurecard.com/



TAXI AND TRAM FARES TO INCREASE

With effect from 10th July 2011 fares for taxi journeys in Hong Kong will increase by HK$2 per journey, following approval by the government of a rise in flagfall (minimum fare) for the first 2km of each journey. The revised flagfall will be HK$20 for urban (red) taxis, HK$16.5 for New Territories (green) taxis and HK$15 for Lantau (blue) taxis. Urban and Lantau taxi fares were last increased in November 2008. The NT taxi fare was last increased in January 2009.

The days of the HK$2 tram ride will come to end after thirteen years when fares increase on 7th June 2011. Revised fares will be HK$2.3 per journey for adults and HK$1.2 for child age 3-12. The fare for seniors (65 and over) which is currently HK$1 will not increase at the current time but will increase to HK$1.1 from 7th June 2012. Hong Kong Tramways, which has been French-owned by Veolia Transport since March 2010, and is investing HK$200 million in enhancing and modernising tram services in Hong Kong had applied for an increase in adult fare to HK$2.5.



HARD ROCK CAFE RETURNS TO HONG KONG

Hard Rock Cafe has opened a new restaurant, in the heart of Hong Kong's nightlife district at Lan Kwai Fong. The 400 square-metre restaurant, which opened on 18th April 2011 and includes seating for 120, a bar, live music area and Rock Shop featuring Hard Rock Cafe's limited edition merchandise, is located on the lower ground floor of LKF Tower at 55 D'Aguilar Street, former location of Hong Kong Brewhouse (now at 21 D'Aguilar Street) and The Cavern. The restaurant serves American-style cuisine including the Certified Angus Beef Legendary Burgers. Drinks, such as its trademark Hurricanes and Margaritas, are served in Hard Rock Cafe's souvenir glassware. Hard Rock Cafe Hong Kong is represented by Viet Thai International Ltd (VTI) and has not had a presence in Hong Kong since its previous premises at Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui closed in November 2008. VTI plans to open another Hard Rock Cafe, in Kowloon, within the next twelve months.

 

Back in town - Hard Rock Cafe returned to Hong Kong after an absence of over two years when its new cafe opened at Lan Kwai Fong on 18th April 2011

KMB AND LONG WIN BUS FARES TO RISE

Bus fares on routes operated by Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB) and Long Win Bus Company Limited are to increase from 15th May 2011 following approval of the companies fare increase applications by the Executive Council. However, the amount of increase is less than half that proposed by the companies and average rises are 3.6% for KMB routes and 3.2% on Long Win routes. The increases are the first since June 2008, prior to which bus fares had remained stable for about ten years. KMB operates routes mainly in Kowloon, the New Territories and some cross-harbour routes and Long Win operates services between the New Territories, North Lantau and Hong Kong International Airport.

Increases of 2.3% in MTR fares from June and between 9% and 12.5% in ferry fares for services to outlying islands from April and July have already been announced (see below, this page).



NEW FERRY SERVICE TUEN MUN - MACAU

Hong Kong North West Express Limited (HKNWE) has commenced operating a new ferry service from Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal, in the northwest New Territories, to Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal on 15th April 2011. The service initially operates a schedule of four sailings each way daily, using two new Damen Fast Ferry 278-seat catamarans. One-way Economy Class fare from Tuen Mun is HK$134 on weekdays and HK$146 on weekends and public holidays. Super Class fares are also available. For timetable and further information see;

http://www.ferrypier.com/macauferry/

The company had been seeking to operate services on this route since 2003 and were last denied permission by the Macau Government in 2006. In 2007 the company issued a lawsuit, alleging the Macau Government had illegally awarded the Hong Kong to Taipa Temporary Ferry Pier, Macau ferry service to CotaiJet without inviting tenders, resulting in CotaiJet's service being suspended after only ten days of commencing before resuming five weeks later.

For information on all ferry and helicopter services between Hong Kong and Macau see TO MACAU   



SKY 100 TO OPEN 17th APRIL 2011

The world's third highest observation deck, "sky100", on the 100th floor of the International Commerce Centre (ICC) above Kowloon Station, is to soft-open to the public on 17th April 2011. The deck is 393-metres above sea level, covering an area of 30,000 sq ft with 360 degree panoramic views of the city and will have a range of facilities including multi-media exhibits describing the history and culture of Hong Kong. "Flying Lifts" will transport visitors from the 2nd floor to the 100th floor in 60 seconds.

An online booking facility is now available with tickets costing HK$125 for adults and HK$90 for children and seniors. A Family Combo ticket for two adults and one child will cost HK$305. Tickets bought on the day from the ticket office will cost HK$150 for adults, HK$105 for children and seniors or HK$365 for the Family Combo. A VIP Fast Pass is also available at HK$500 (all categories).

Visitors can enter sky100 either through the deck's entrance on the first floor of ICC or via the second floor connecting passageway from Elements mall, at Kowloon Station.

The observation deck can accommodate about 1,000 visitors at any one time and is expected to attract 3,000 to 5,000 visitors daily. Visitors will be given a half-hour time slot for entry but there will be no limit on duration of stay.

http://www.sky100.com.hk/

Shanghai World Financial Centre has the tallest observation deck at 474-metres and Burj Khalifa in Dubai follows at 452-metres. 



STAR FERRY HUNG HOM ROUTES CLOSE

Two Star Ferry routes, Central - Hung Hom and Wanchai - Hung Hom ceased operating on 31st March 2011. Star Ferry Company did not seek renewal of its three-year licence for these two routes which it has operated since 1999. The company has suffered a substantial fall in patronage in recent years, particularly following relocation of Star Ferry Pier in Central in 2006 since when passenger numbers on the Central - Hung Hom route have fallen from 3,800 to 3,200 daily. Profits from the routes between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui have been used to subsidise heavy losses on the Hung Hom routes and construction work on the site of Star Ferry Bus Terminus at Tsim Sha Tsui for two years from 2011 and redevelopment of Wan Chai Ferry Pier as part of the Central - Wan Chai Bypass infrastructure are expected to have an adverse effect on the company's future business. Licences for the two routes were put out to tender by the government in a bid to attract a new operator but no other operators showed any interest in taking over these routes.

Star Ferry's Harbour Tour will continue to operate but will no longer berth at Hung Hom. The overall journey time for the tour remains unchanged.

As an alternative to the ferry service passengers can take bus 115 to travel between Hung Hom/Whampoa and Hong Kong Island, bus 8A or 8P to Tsim Sha Tsui (Star Ferry Pier) or green minibus 6 or 6X from Whampoa to Tsim Sha Tsui MTR stations to interchange for Hong Kong Island.

Star Ferry Company will continue to operate services between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon Point) and Wanchai and Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon Point).



MTR AND FERRY FARES TO RISE

MTR Corp has announced a 2.3%* fare increase from 13th June 2011, resulting in a 10-cent or 20-cent increase for each journey. The increase is allowed under the government's fare adjustment formula which resulted from the MTR/KCR merger in 2007 and follows a 2.05% fare increase in 2010. MTR's fare revenue increased by over 8% to HK$12.46 billion in 2010 and MTR Corp's profit increased to HK$8.66 billion. Further details of the new fares will be announced before June.

(* the fare increase has since been lowered slightly to 2.2%)

Fare increases of between about 9% and 12.5% have also been announced on six outlying island ferry routes. Revised fares take effect on the Central-Mui Wo route from 1st April 2011 and on the Central-Cheung Chau, Central-Peng Chau, Central-Yung Shue Wan, Central-Sok Kwu Wan and Inter-Island service from 1st July 2011. New three-year operating licences have been awarded and the government is providing about HK$120 million of public funds to subsidise these services and provide support to ferry operators in maintaining services on these loss-making routes. Current and revised fares can be viewed here;

FERRIES - OUTLYING ISLANDS



KMB LAUNCHES iPHONE APP

Hong Kong's largest bus operator, Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB), has launched a free iPhone App. The app, which covers both KMB and sister-company Long Win Bus Company's routes,  offers four functions, “Point to Point Search”, “Route Number Search”, “Nearby Bus Stop” and “Alight Reminder”. The first three functions provide users with different ways to search for a bus route, offering detailed routings, route maps, timetables and route announcements, as well as photos of every bus stop. In the “Point to Point Search”, when several routes serve the same destination the system will display the lowest fare option as well as the route with the fewest en-route stops, allowing users to make their own choice according to their needs. The powerful “Nearby Bus Stop” function, making use of the iPhone’s Global Positioning System, automatically identifies the location of the user and list all bus routes available and the location of their corresponding bus-stops within 200 metres, enabling users to visit different districts without hassle.

The KMB iPhone App is available in traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese and an English version. The English version can be selected from the iPhone settings menu. iPhone and iPod Touch users can download the App free of charge from the iTunes App Store. The KMB iPhone App will become available to other mobile platforms at a later date.

PEAK TRAM FARE INCREASE

Revised Peak Tram fares will take effect from 1st April 2011. Adult fares will increase from HK$25 to HK$28 single and from HK$36 to HK$40 return. Child (3-11) and seniors (65 and over) fares increase from HK$9 to HK$11 single and from HK$16 to HK$18 return.

Prices for the Peak Tram Sky Pass, a combined pass for travel on the Peak Tram and admission to Sky Terrace viewing platform on the roof of the Peak Tower will also increase to HK$65 Adult Return (HK$53 single) and HK$31 Child (3-11) and seniors 65 and over (HK$24 single).



HOLLYWOOD MOVIE "BATTLESHIP" TO FEATURE HONG KONG BACKDROP

A scene for the forthcoming Hollywood movie "Battleship" is to be filmed from a helicopter circling over Victoria Harbour on 7th and 8th March 2011. The movie, named after the pencil and paper game, features a navy fleet battling a group of aliens known as the Regents. It stars Liam Neeson, Brooklyn Decker and Alexander Skarsgard and also marks the film debut of pop singer Rihanna. Filming is to take place between 8am and 6pm around the Sai Wan Ho and Shau Kei Wan areas in Eastern District and over Lantau Island and general aerial scenes, featuring the dense skyscraper skyline will be shot. However, none of the cast will be in Hong Kong during filming.

In 2007, scenes for "Batman: The Dark Knight" were filmed from a C130 plane and helicopter flying low over Central and Western Districts.  



OCEAN PARK'S AQUA CITY OPENS

Ocean Park's latest attraction "Aqua City" zone opened on 26th January 2011. The zone's flagship attraction is The Grand Aquarium which contains over 5000 fish of 400 species and 5.2 million litres of water, double the size of the old aquarium. The three-storey aquarium allows visitors to view fish from behind a 13-metre wide and 5.5-metres high viewing screen, the world's largest. The Lagoon features a nighttime water and fire special effects extravaganza, "Symbio", with colorful dragons dancing on the world's only 360-degree water screen and Neptune's Restaurant offers underwater dining whilst being encircled by fish. Aqua City also has over 15,000 square feet of retail space in two buildings designed to appear as outstretched arms to greet visitors on entering and leaving the park. The East Retail Building is home to four shopping outlets including Waterfront Gifts (apparels and accessories), Celebrity Store (decorative gifts , hard goods, plush toys and kids’ corner), Ocean’s Charms (jewellery) and Aqua City Crafts (premium gifts). The West Retail Building houses Ocean Park’s very first personal health and beauty product store, Ocean Potions, and Shutters, Ocean Park’s first dedicated photography studio.

Aqua City is part of Ocean Park's HK$5.5 billion redevelopment and expansion programme which commenced in 2006 and will see the park double in size by 2013 and the park is expecting a 15% increase in visitor numbers following opening of the new attraction. The next new attraction to open under the redevelopment programme will be "The Rainforest" in May.
 


SMOKING BAN EXTENDED

Hong Kong's smoking ban is being extended to include 129 outdoor and two covered public transport interchanges or bus terminals from 1st December 2010. Smoking has already been banned at indoor and most covered public transport public transport interchanges since 1st January 2007 and 1st September 2009 respectively. Five open-air public transport interchanges will not be included in the ban owing to ongoing construction works. These are at Ocean Park, China Ferry Terminal, Hong Kong Conference and Exhibition Centre, Nam Cheong Station and Hong Kong International Airport.

Hong Kong's smoking ban has been extended to include outdoor public transport interchanges and bus terminals from 1st December 2010

Smoking in almost all public indoor areas in Hong Kong has been banned January 2007 and since September 2009 a fixed-penalty system has operated for smoking offences. Under the Fixed Penalty (Smoking Offences) Ordinance any person who smokes or carries a lighted cigarette in a designated no smoking place or public transport carrier may be issued with a fixed-penalty notice of HK$1500. Fixed-penalty notices are issued by officers from the Tobacco Control Office (TCO), Leisure & Cultural Services Department, Food & Environmental Hygiene Department and Housing Control Department. The fine must be paid within 21 days to avoid a further fine. From January 2007 to October 2010  the TCO conducted over 64,000 inspections of no-smoking areas and issued over 15,000 summnses and 8000 fixed-penalty notices. Between 1st September 2009 to 31st October 2010 about 160 notices were issued for smoking in no smoking public transport interchanges.

STEVEN SODERBERGH THRILLER FILMED IN HONG KONG

Scenes for Oscar-winning Hollywood director Steven Soderbergh's latest film, "Contagion", have been filmed at several locations in Hong Kong during September and early October 2010. The action thriller about the spread of a deadly virus will bring back memories to locals of the SARS outbreak of 2003 which is believed to have claimed some 300 lives in the territory. The film stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Marion Cotillard. Hong Kong International Airport Authority has confirmed that some restricted areas of the airport have been used for filming and it is understood that one scene may involve major stars playing World Health Organisation investigators. Other locations used for filming include Tai Pak Floating Restaurant at Jumbo Kingdom in Aberdeen Harbour, a factory in To Kwa Wan, Shek O, Mong Kok and the Tsuen Wan Chinese Permanent Cemetery. The film is due to be released in 2011.



MARITIME MUSEUM TO RELOCATE

Plans to relocate Hong Kong Maritime Museum from Murray House, Stanley to Central Pier 8 (Star Ferry Pier) have been approved. One of the pier's viewing decks will be converted into an exhibition hall, resource centre and office and a new mezzanine floor will be added as a gallery. The new museum will occupy an area of about 4200 sq metres and will include a restaurant and storage space for artefacts. An admission fee of HK$30 has been proposed. No date for the relocation has been set but the existing premises at Stanley must be vacated before February 2012. Hong Kong Maritime Museum opened in 2005 and is a non-profit making institution funded by Hong Kong Shipowners Association. Star Ferry services from Pier 8 to Hung Hom will be unaffected by the opening of the new museum.



NGONG PING PIAZZA OPENED

Ngong Ping Piazza on Lantau Island was officially opened on 2nd August 2010. The piazza covers an area of about 1.5 hectares and links Ngong Ping Village and the Ngong Ping 360 cable car with other tourist attractions at Ngong Ping including Po Lin Monastery, the Giant Buddha and Wisdom Path. Construction work began in November 2008 and the project has cost HK$77.5 million. The piazza is designed to have a strong Buddhist character and blend with the religious ambience of Ngong Ping.

For more information on the new Ngong Ping Piazza see WHAT'S NEW

MONGKOK STREETS REVITALISATION PROJECT

Five themed pedestrian walkways in the Mongkok markets area, popular with tourists, are to be widened, open areas are to be "greened" and roads repaved. The project, which is expected to commence in 2011, will cost HK$100 million and take in Flower Market Road, Tung Choi Street, Fa Yuen Street, Nelson Street and Sai Yee Street. 



DISNEYLAND HOTELS PARK ADMISSION OFFER

From 1st July 2010 until 31st March 2012 guests staying at either of Hong Kong Disneyland's two hotels, Disneyland Resort Hotel and Disney's Hollywood Hotel, can purchase "Stay2Day" tickets for HK$398 (adult), HK$288 (child 3-11) or HK$198 (seniors 65 and over) allowing admission to the park on two consecutive days. For full details see;

http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/special/listing?name=SpecialOffersStay2DayTicketsPage



GOVERNMENT MAP SERVICE LAUNCHED

A new government web map portal, GeoInfo Map, developed by the Lands Department was launched on 26th May 2010. The map allows users to search for locations and facilities in Hong Kong and obtain relevant information contributed by government departments. There is a facilty to toggle views using the online detailed maps or photo maps. Useful geospatial information available on the map includes mobile network coverage in country parks, locations of hiking trails, cycling tracks, barbecue sites, government offices, leisure, cultural and sports facilities, schools, libraries and hospitals, as well as geo-tagged photos and the scope of information available will continue to be enhanced. With various search options and phrases to facilitate location search, GeoInfo Map allows users to access different areas of interest easily. For example, users can use the intelligent search function by entering a search phrase in the search bar, such as "hotels in Central" or "museums in Tsim Sha Tsui", to locate certain popular facilities in a specific area. Users can also plan their outdoor activities using GeoInfo Map which supports Global Positioning System (GPS) and Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinate searches. GeoInfo Map can be accessed at;

http://www.map.gov.hk



JOINT HONG KONG AND SHENZHEN SMART CARD TO BE LAUNCHED

Hong Kong Monetary Authority has confirmed that a single stored-value card is to be introduced which will enable cashless transactions for payment of fares on public transport and small-value purchases. However, the card, which was expected to be launched in December 2010, had still not materialised by November 2011. It will incorporate chips for both Hong Kong's Octopus Card and the Shenzhen Tong and be targeted at the many frequent cross-border travellers. The card will contain two separate "accounts" and transactions made in Hong Kong will be settled in Hong Kong Dollars and transactions made in Shenzhen in yuan. Adding value to the card and checking balances will be territory-based and cardholders will only be able to add value to the Octopus account in Hong Kong and the Shenzhen Tong in Shenzhen. No form of registration will be required to purchase the card and the card will not contain any personal data. The card will only be able to be topped up with cash unlike some Personalised Octopus Cards which have a facility for automatic top-up by credit card. No decision has yet been made as to whether the card will be sold or loaned with a deposit. There are currently over 20 million Octopus Cards in circulation in Hong Kong and 6.5 million Shenzhen Tong cards. Such a card has been under consideration since 2008 and recent breakthroughs in resolving technical and operational issues have removed remaining obstacles to the launch of the card. 



NEW BUS SERVICE TO NOAH'S ARK

A new bus service has commenced operating to the main entrance of Noah's Ark at Ma Wan from Grand Century Place near to Mongkok East MTR Station. The service which is operated by Park Island Transport Company runs daily at half-hour intervals from 9-30am to 5pm with return journeys from Noah's Ark until 6-30pm;

http://www.noahsark.com.hk/eng/visit2.php#linkpath9

HONG KONG TOURISM BOARD LAUNCHES MULTI-DESTINATION TRAVEL PLATFORM

Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has launched its new "Hong Kong Plus" website to promote Hong Kong's position as a tourism hub to Mainland China by offering a range of holiday packages to Hong Kong and continuing to Shanghai, Beijing or Hainan. Short flights from Hong Kong to these cities allow long-haul visitors to conveniently combine Hong Kong with these mainland destinations. For details and offers see the HKTB "Hong Kong Plus" website;

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/promotions/hong-kong-plus/index.html



GOOGLE MAPS HONG KONG STREET VIEW LAUNCHED

Google Maps Street View feature for Hong Kong and Macau was officially launched on 12th March 2010. The feature, which was first available in the United States in 2007 and has since become available in other countries, allows user 360-degree views all places accessible by vehicles on public roads. The feature will be of use to visitors in planning trips to Hong Kong or simply wishing to explore Hong Kong's streets. The search facility accepts English language and English is displayed on zooming in on the map;

http://maps.google.com.hk/



UPDATE - MAINLAND BORDER (MAN KAM TO) PORT CLEARANCE AREA CLOSURE

The Shenzhen Wenjindu Port Passenger Clearance Area has been closed since midnight on 22nd February 2010 for reconstruction work which will continue until August 2012. This has resulted in clearance services for passengers, including cross-boundary buses and private cars using the Man Kam To border crossing on the Hong Kong side of the border being suspended.  Affected cross-boundary buses and private cars have been directed to use other cross-boundary control points.

Following discussions with mainland authorities, the Hong Kong Government has obtained agreement that from 27th March 2010 a limited cross-boundary bus service will be allowed with three round trips between Shung Shui and Shenzhen Wenjindu Port both in the morning and afternoon commuting periods provided construction is not disrupted. Cross-boundary coaches are scheduled to depart from Wenjindu for Sheung Shui at 7am, 7.30am, 8am, 7pm, 7.30pm and 8pm, and depart from Sheung Shui for Wenjindu at 7.45am, 8.15am, 8.45am, 6.15pm, 6.45pm and 7.15pm. The fare is HK$20 per trip. Pre-paid tickets and booking service are also available. For enquiries, passengers may contact the coach operator's hotline at (852) 3760 0888 from 6am to 12 midnight daily. It should be noted that this is a limited service and passengers intending to use the service are advised to contact the coach operators in advance to check the ticketing situation and to make use of the booking service.

The cross-boundary coach service connecting Landmark North in Sheung Shui and Sha Tau Kok remains unchanged.

Clearance service for goods vehicles is not be affected. No further information is yet available.

Hong Kong's main venue for Cantonese Opera performances the 1033-seat Sunbeam Theatre on King's Road at North Point has been reprieved for three years after having been threatened with closure when the previous lease expired in February 2009. The current owner purchased the theatre in 2003 with the intention of demolishing the theatre and building a shopping mall on the site. However a three-year extension to the lease has been agreed with the Hong Kong Government on the understanding that the owner will be allowed to redevelop the site after the extension to the lease expires. The monthly rental has tripled to HK$698,000 and funding for the lease extension amounts to around HK$6.6 million with HK$3 million being provided by private donations and the government funding the balance. There are about 150 shows annually at the theatre performed by professional troupes. Each show at the theatre is supported by a HK$15,000 government subsidy through the Arts Development Council. It is planned to build a large 1200-1400 seat theatre as a permanent venue for Cantonese Opera in the Xiqu Centre the West Kowloon Cultural District which is scheduled for completion in 2014/2015. In the meantime an 600-seat annexe to the Ko Shan Theatre in Hung Hom is due to be completed in 2012 to enable more Cantonese Opera rehearsals and performances at that venue which currently has about 140 Cantonese Opera performances annually and Yau Ma Tei Theatre is being redeveloped by 2011 to provide a venue for small-scale performances and operatic singing activities. Chan Shun Kui Community Hall in North Point is also being considered as a future venue in order that a Cantonese Opera Theatre venue can be maintained on Hong Kong Island. However by late 2010 there were indications that the theatre may close as early as 2011 as as fewer opera troupes have been using the theatre since the extension of the lease and other venues such as Sha Tin Town Hall are becoming more popular.

Hong Kong's main Cantonese Opera venue the Sunbeam Theatre on King's Road

FRONTIER CLOSED ZONE TO BE OPENED TO PUBLIC

The closed area between Hong Kong and Shenzhen is to be opened up to the public from early 2012. The time frame for reduction in area of the Frontier Closed Area (FCA) has been put back from its original date of 2010/11. However, by the end of 2012 the FCA will have reduced from its current 2,800 hectares to 400 hectares. The reduced FCA will mainly comprise Sha Tau Kok Town, Boundary Control Points and the re-aligned boundary patrol road. The government green plan for the area, announced in May 2008,  envisages cycling routes between Lok Ma Chau and Lo Wu to enable people to enjoy the natural and rural landscape, fishponds and wetlands. A country park is to be built in Robin's Nest between Pat Sin Leng Country Park in Hong Kong and Wutongshan National Forest Park in Shenzhen. Hiking trails have also been proposed between Cheung Shan Monastery and Lin Ma Hang and between Lok Ma Chau to Hoo Hok Wai. There are some 300 heritage sites in the area and the government is proposing to create trails to link some of these sites. Only one small plot of land at Kong Nga Po near Man Kam To is being reserved for for residential development and this and this will be a small community with green architecture built with energy saving materials. A new boundary patrol and primary and secondary fences are being built in four phases, which commenced in late 2009 and are expected to be completed by early 2015. The construction works have been divided into four sections, namely the "Mai Po to Lok Ma Chau Control Point Section", the "Lok Ma Chau Control Point to Ng Tung River Section", the "Ng Tung River to Lin Ma Hang Section" and the "Lin Ma Hang to! Sha Tau Kok Section". Construction works for the 'Mai Po to Lok Ma Chau Control Point Section' and the 'Lin Ma Hang to Sha Tau Kok Section', covering over 740 hectares, have been completed and will be returned to public access by the Frontier Closed Area (Amendment) Order 2011, which will take effect on 15th February 2012. This will, in effect, excise more than 740 hectares of land from the FCA for public access, thus meeting the aspirations of the local community. The "Lok Ma Chau Control Point to Ng Tung River Section" is expected to be returned to public access in early 2013 and the "Ng Tung River to Lin Ma Hang Section" in 2015.