LATEST INFORMATION
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXFor For information on exhibitions see CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
For information on future developments see WHAT'S PLANNED
For information on new attractions/developments see WHAT'S NEW
For information on new, future and renamed hotels see NEW AND FUTURE HOTELS
HONG KONG FLOWER SHOW 2010
The Hong Kong Flower Show 2010 takes place from 19th March to 28th March 2010 in Victoria Park at Causeway Bay. This year the popular show features Cineraria as its theme flower and "Fairy Tales of Flowers" as its theme. The event will showcase a profusion of potted plants, floral arrangements and landscape displays by organisations from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas. There will also be commercial stalls selling flowers, horticultural products, fast food etc and various educational and recreational fringe activities for the enjoyment of visitors of all ages. They include music and dance performances, floral art demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, plant maintenance workshops, green stalls, guided visits, recreational programmes and fun games.
The show is open from 9am until 9pm daily. Admission is HK$14 for adults, with half-price concessions for children and senior citizens age 60 and over. On Mondays to Fridays only special concessions apply allowing for free admission for senior citizens age 60 and over, people with disabilities (including one minder) and also on Mondays to Fridays groups of 30 people and over will be admitted at half-price. For further information see the show website;
http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/green/hkfs/2010/en/index.php

PEAK TOWER DISNEYLAND TICKETING BOOTH
Hong Kong Disneyland has opened a temporary ticketing booth at the Peak Tower. The booth is located at level P2 and is open daily from 12 noon until 9pm until 31st October 2010.
SPACE MUSEUM'S NEW OMNIMAX SHOW
Hong Kong Space Museum's latest Omnimax Show "Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure is being screened in the museum's Stanley Ho Space Theatre from 1st March 2010 until 30th August 2010. The film vividly brings to life the bizarre, ferocious and fascinating ocean creatures that lived 80 million years ago. "Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure" is the story of a family of Dolichorhynchops (also known informally as "Dollies") as they traverse ancient waters populated with sabre-toothed fish, prehistoric sharks and giant squids. On their journey the Dollies encounter other extraordinary sea creatures: lizard-like reptiles called Platecarpus that swallowed their prey whole like snakes; Styxosaurus with necks more than six metres long and paddle-like fins as large as an adult human; and on the top of the food chain, the monstrous Tylosaurus, a predator with no enemies. The show lasts 40 minutes and ticket prices range from HK$24 to HK$32 with concessions available. For full details see the museum's wesbite;
http://hk.space.museum/
SECTION OF LUNG WO ROAD OPENED
The first section of road to be completed on land reclaimed from the harbour under the Central Reclamation Project opened on 23rd February 2010. Lung Wo Road, in the vicinity of Two IFC and Star Ferry Pier on Hong Kong Island, forms part of a new network of roads which will eventually include the Central - Wan Chai Bypass, due for completion in 2017. The bypass will form a new east-west corridor and relieve congestion on the current Connaught Road Central - Harcourt Road - Gloucester Road route. The section of Lung Wo Road to open extends eastwards from Man Cheug Street, near Two IFC and Hong Kong Station, past City Hall and Central Barracks to Tim Wa Avenue. The road will eventually be extended to link up with Hung Hing Road, just beyond the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

MAINLAND BORDER (MAN KAM TO) PORT CLEARANCE AREA CLOSURE
The Shenzhen Wenjindu Port Passenger Clearance Area is to be closed from midnight on 22nd February 2010 until August 2012 for reconstruction work. 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 will be suspended. Clearance service for goods vehicles is not be affected. Affected cross-boundary buses and private cars will be directed to use other cross-boundary control points.
SPRING LANTERN EXHIBITION
A New Year lantern exhibition "Spring Blessings for a Prosperous Year" is on display at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza until March 21st 2010. The free exhibition includes giant lanterns in the shape of a dragon, phoenix, qilin (Chinese unicorn) and turtle against a series of colourful lanterns. According to Chinese legend, the dragon, phoenix, qilin and turtle are the "four auspicious creatures" symbolising luck and fortune. During this festive celebration, spring takes over from winter and life surges back. Accompanied by other lantern displays as emblems of blessings and good luck, the four auspicious creatures bring good wishes of prosperity and happiness to each family.
The exhibition has been arranged as part of the Spring Lantern Festival which has already seen three lantern carnivals take place in various parts of the territory between February 26th to 28th.

Scene from the lantern exhibition "Spring Blessings for a Prosperous Year" outside Hong Kong Cultural Centre
HONG KONG TRAMWAYS TO BE UNDER FRENCH CONTROL
Hong Kong Tramways will come under French control during March 2010 when Veolia Transport China exercises its option to purchase the remaining 50% stake in the Tramways currently held by Wharf Transport Investments. French based Veolia purchased a 50% stake in April 2009 with the option to purchase the remaining 50% before the end of March 2010. Veolia already operates 17 tram systems in 10 countries including Germany, France, Ireland and Spain and has given assurances that it is fully committed to preserving the trams in Hong Kong recognising them as a unique piece of cultural heritage and the Tramways will continue to be subject to provisions of the Government's Tramway Ordinance in providing its tram service to the people of Hong Kong.During December 2009, following a four-month analysis of passengers travelling habits and service demand Veolia announced plans to revamp services with increased service frequencies towards the western end of the line where demand is highest. However this would depend on approval being given for proposed new turnabouts at Quarry Bay, Causeway Bay and Wan Chai which would allow shorter routes and more frequent services but with long distance passengers having to change to a connecting tram at a free-transfer area. Veolia also plan to introduce a fleet management system improve operational efficiency and also plan an internal refurbishment of the fleet. One tram has been refurbished with new seating, lighting and information displays and has been operating on a trial basis. There are also proposals to develop a new waterfront "tourist loop" of tramway on reclaimed land between Star Ferry Pier in Central and Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. For more information about Hong Kong Trams see TRAMS
ELDER OCTOPUS CARD HOLIDAY CONCESSION SCHEME EXTENDED
The holiday concession scheme for senior citizens (including visitors) using Elder Octopus Card for MTR journeys, which was due to expire on 28th February 2010, has been extended to 31st August 2010. The concession provides for a special concessionary fare of HK$2 for all MTR journeys taken on Wednesdays and public holidays (but not on Sundays). Journeys on Airport Express and to the mainland border stations of Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau are excluded from the scheme. See OCTOPUS CARD and SENIOR VISITOR DISCOUNTS for more information on concessions for senior citizens on public transport andtourist attractions.
WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE MAIN ALTAR REOPENED
The main altar at Wong Tai Sin Temple has reopened on 8th February 2010 following major renovation work which has taken place over the last year. The altar has been rebuilt and enlarged by 40% enabling an additional 2000 worshippers to be accommodated. During the Chinese New Year period about 800,000 people are expected to visit the temple.
The work is part of a HK$140 million refurbishment and upgrade programme includes construction of the largest hall of its kind in China. A 660 sq metre underground Lord of the Year and Age Hall is being built featuring 60 Taoist deities and an overhead glass dome with astrology maps. Other upgrades include installation of CCTV for better crowd management and the addition of traditional Chinese architectural features to existing buildings. The work which began in April 2008 is expected to be completed before the end of 2010. The temple complex which receives over five million visitors a year has remained open to the public during the refurbishment work.
The temple is also to trial a hi-tech system to ensure containers of bamboo fortune sticks contain a full set of 100 sticks. Initially 50 sets of sticks will be implanted with chips enabling containers to be scanned by machine using RDIF technology to detect missing or duplicated sticks. Currently worshippers wanting to check all sticks are present have to count them or request temple staff to count and the new system will reduce counting time from five minutes to five seconds. Following trialling the system is expected to be in general use after six months.
HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL 2010
The 38th Hong Kong Arts Festival, a major event featuring an extensive and diverse variety of music opera, theatre and dance performances by many renowned artists, orchestras and ensembles from around the world takes place from 25th February to 28th March 2010. Venues include Hong Kong Cultural Centre, City Hall, Sha Tin Town Hall, Lyric Theatre at Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, Nan Lian Garden, Two IFC and Hong Kong Arts Centre.
The festival opens on 25th February at Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s Grand Theatre with “Cantonese Opera Treasures”, a dazzling display of rarely performed set pieces and seminal classics presented by the Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong. Other festival highlights include the Mariinsky Theatre’s production of “The Turn of the Screw” with Benjamin Britten’s chilling musical score, Café De Los Marinos, hailed as Argentina’s version of Cuba’s Buena Vista Social Club, the Philharmonia Orchestra, returning to Hong Kong after and absence of 15 years and conducted by Christoph Von Dohnayi, King’s Harmonica Quintet, The Guy Barker Jazz Orchestra, “Nina Simone Remembered” starring Patti Austin, Dianne Reeves, Simone and Lizz Wright, Sa Ding Ding, winner of the BBC World Music Award 2008, Wild Rice Theatre Group’s performance of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”, Steven Berkoff directs and stars in Nottingham Playhouse’s version of the classic “On the Waterfront”, Mariinsky Ballet perform “Don Quixote”, Li Chuanyun Solo Violin Recital at the 55th floor of IFC and Naamyan (a form of Cantonese narrative song commonly performed by blind singers and now a disappearing art form) performed in the tranquil surroundings of Nan Lian Garden by two of the few remaining female singers. Three visiting orchestras led by legendary conductors Christoph Von Dohnayi, Valery Gergiev and Rene Jacobs will perform at the festival in addition to Hong Kong’s own Philharmonic, Chinese Orchestra and Sinfonietta.
Tickets are available at all URBTIX outlets and via the URBTIX Internet Booking Service;
Overseas bookings can also be made by credit card via the URBTIX hotline (852) 2111 5999 between 10am and 8pm (Hong Kong time) daily, by post to The Ticketing Department, Hong Kong Arts Festival Limited, GPO Box 2547, Hong Kong or by fax to (852) 2734 9011 between 10am and 8pm (Hong Kong Time) daily. Tickets for some performances are also available through HK Ticketing;
http://www.hkticketing.com
Ticketing enquiries can be made by e-mail to enquiry@hkaf.org
For the full festival programme and more detailed ticketing information see the festival website;
http://www.hk.artsfestival.org/en/
ASTROPARK OPENS TO THE PUBLIC
The Astropark, established by the Hong Kong Government's Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and costing HK$3 million to build, opened to the public on 30th January 2010. The Astropark, with stargazing facilities is located at Chong Hing Water Sports Centre at High Island Reservoir in Sai Kung (East) Country Park and is divided into three zones, Educational Zone, Naked-eye Observation Area and Telescopic Observation Area. Admission is free and the Astropark is open 24 hours a day. For more information see WHAT'S NEW

The Astropark's Pavilion cum Mini-Planetarium in which a simulated night sky will be projected allows visitors to learn about the constellations
AIRPORT BUS ROUTE CHANGES
Since 29th January 2010 visitors using most Citybus "Cityflyer" airport bus services are able to enjoy an even more scenic journey to and from the airport. Services A10, A11, A12 and A22 all now use the new Stonecutters Bridge and Nam Wan Tunnel. Fares, frequency, and en-route bus stops are unchanged. Stonecutters Bridge which opened in December 2009 is the world's second longest cable-stayed bridge, linking Tsing Yi with Stonecutters Island and forming part of Strategic Route 8 Tsing Sha Highway. These bus routes also allow passengers to enjoy scenic views from the Tsing Ma Bridge, the world's largest suspension bridge to carry both road and rail traffic, which opened in 1997 as part of the Lantau Link project to provide fast access to the airport at Chek Lap Kok.
ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDEN'S NEW RESIDENT
Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens has acquired a new resident: a male Bornean orangutan named Vandu. The Bornean orangutan is an endangered primate. With its huge body and lovely appearance it has always been the most popular animal in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens. Fifteen-year-old Vandu came from a zoo in Hungary, arriving in Hong Kong on 22nd January 2010. He is in good health and is adapting to his new environment and will be able to meet the public before the end of February after quarantine. Vandu was transferred to Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens through a conservation breeding programme. An important mission for Vandu is to pair up with the existing two female Bornean orangtuans for conservation breeding. The lifespan of Bornean orangutans is normally up to 35 years. They are arboreal and diurnal. Apart from brief periods of mating and raising infants by females Bornean orangutans are solitary for most of their lives. They swing and move from branch to branch with their powerful hands and rarely leave the trees for the ground. They sleep at night in large nests built of broken branches and foliage. Fruit, leaves, bark and birds’eggs are their favourite foods.
Eleven out of 17 species of mammals currently kept in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens are primates and there are 60 primates, including the Bornean orangutan, buff-cheeked gibbon, emperor tamarin, golden lion tamarin, lion-tailed macaque, red-handed tamarin, ring-tailed lemur, siamang, white-faced saki, black and white ruffed lemur and pygmy marmoset.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority has confirmed that a single stored-value card is to be introduced before the end of 2010 which will enable cashless transactions for payment of fares on public transport and small-value purchases. The card will incorporate chips for both Hong Kong's Octopus Card and the Shenzhen Tong Card and bring huge convenience for the many cross-border travellers. There are currently over 20 million Octopus Cards in circulation in Hong Kong and six and a half million Shenzhen Tong cards. Such a card has been under consideration since 2008 and recent breakthroughs in resolving technical and operational issues such as currency conversion mean a testing phase for the new card will be able to proceed over the next few months.
HONG KONG CORRECTIONAL SERVICES MUSEUM REOPENED
Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum, which has been temporarily closed for renovation since September 2009, reopened on Friday January 29th 2010. Situated next to the Correctional Services Department Staff Training Institute on Tung Tau Wan Road, Stanley, the museum's main building has 10 galleries with a mock gallows and two mock cells. A collection of some 600 exhibits including historical documents and photographs depicts the 160-odd years history of the Hong Kong penal system. A mock guard tower on top of the premises highlights the theme of the museum. Its annexe, with an introduction to the department's correctional and rehabilitative programmes, also displays products made by prisoners. A 200-square-metre platform in front of the museum commands the scenery of Hong Kong's scenic Tai Tam Bay.
The museum is open to the public from 10am to 5pm daily except Mondays and public holidays. Admission is free. Group visitors are advised to book in advance to arrange guided tours by phoning (852) 2147 3199 or sending a fax to (852) 3921 9033. The museum is accessible by bus routes 6, 6X, 63, 73, 260 and 973 as well as green minibus routes 40 and 52.
Visitors to the museum during the first five days of its reopening (29th, 30th and 31st January and 2nd and 3rd February) will receive a souvenir multi-purpose keyring on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability.

BRUCE LEE'S RESIDENCE IDEAS COMPETITION WINNERS
The winning entries for the Bruce Lee's Residence Ideas Competition were announced on 23rd January 2010. The competition which was launched on July 20th July 2009 aims to turn the former residence of the late Mr Bruce Lee into an attraction to commemorate Bruce Lee's contribution to martial arts and the film industry. Jointly organised by The Hong Kong Institute of Architects, The Hong Kong Institute of Planners and The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors and supported by the Tourism Commission, the competition received an overwhelming response of more than 140 valid entries both local and overseas. The competition was open to all in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas countries and comprised two categories - the Professional Group and the Open Group. The competition took some four months to judge and amongst the judges was Shannon Lee, the star's daughter.
First prize (HK$50000 and a trophy) for the Professional Group was won by local team Jimmy Yuen Gi-tsun and Cheung Kwai-yin and their entry can be viewed here;
http://gia.info.gov.hk/general/201001/23/P201001230149_0149_61407.jpg
First prize (trophy) in the Open Group was also awarded to a local team, Lau Chun Yiu Agnus and Ng Ka Kin Gary and details of the entry can be viewed here;
http://gia.info.gov.hk/general/201001/23/P201001230149_0149_61396.jpg
The winning entries are regarded as ideas and may not necessarily come to fruition but it is hoped the restoration plan for the former residence at Cumberland Road, Kowloon Tong will now be able to proceed as soon as possible. A touring exhibition displaying the competition entries is being held at City Hall from 23rd January until 4th February, Hong Kong Cultural Centre from 9th to 16th February and Sha Tin Town Hall from 23rd February to 6th March. For more information on the proposed Bruce Lee Museum see WHAT'S PLANNED
OCEAN PARK'S NEW ATTRACTION
From 13th February 2010 four protected species of raptor will be on public display for the first time at Ocean Park to coincide with Chinese New Year. The steppe eagle, striated caracara, turkey vulture and Lanner falcon were acquired last year from Europe, Asia, Africa and South America were kept in quarantine until being moved to the Bird Theatre. Visitors will be able to watch the raptors flying and hunting. The four species are listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which stipulates controlled trade of the birds. Ocean Park currently has 800 birds of more than 20 species and is considering breeding the raptors.
ONE HARBOURFRONT PROMENADE OPENS.......WHILST ANOTHER CLOSES!
KWUN TONG PROMENADE (Stage 1), a 200-metre harbourfront promenade at Hoi Bun Road opened on 16th January 2010. The promenade which was formerly part of Kwun Tong Public Cargo Working Area (PCWA) features various public facilities including children's playground, multi-purpose plaza and seaside boardwalk. A performance stage and a spectator stand with 200 seats are also provided at the promenade to facilitate hosting of events by various organisations. There is also a special tower landmark in the promenade with the design concept generated from piles of recycled paper at the former site of the PCWA. Music, special lighting features and mist effects at the tower are intended to create a colourful atmosphere at night. The project which has cost HK$19.6 million is part of plans to revitalise the Kwun Tong industrial area. Stage 2, which will see a substantial extension of the promenade, is expected to commence in 2011 following decommissioning of the remaining 700-metre stretch of the PCWA.

WAN CHAI WATERFRONT PROMENADE which opened in April 2007 is to close on 27th January 2010 to make way for the Central - Wan Chai Bypass. The promenade which stretches along the harbourside from Wan Chai Ferry Pier to the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club incorporated a popular dog exercise park and boardwalk and provided a traffic-free walking route from Causeway Bay to Wan Chai Ferry.

GRAND OPENING OF NEW AIRPORT CONCOURSE AND SKYPIER
The Grand Opening of Hong Kong International Airport's North Satellite Concourse and new Skypier took place on 15th January 2010 and was attended by Mr Donald Tsang, Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive.
The North Satellite Concourse, which has been in service since 16th December 2009, is a two-storey concourse serving new gates 501-510 and will reduce the number of aircraft having to park in remote bays. Located north of Terminal 1, the concourse is designed to handle narrow-bodied aircraft with about 150 seats and will benefit passengers by allowing an additional 30 to 40 aircraft a day to park closer to the terminal. The new facility provides bridge parking services enabling passengers travelling on these smaller aircraft to embark or disembark in a pleasant and weatherproof environment. After checking in at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 passengers can take a shuttle bus to the North Satellite Concourse and and arriving passengers can also take a shuttle bus to Terminal 1 to clear customs and immigration. Shuttle buses run every four minutes.
The new permanent SkyPier commenced operating on 15th December 2009 replaces the previous temporary facility at Hong Kong International Airport which has been in use since 2003. It is designed for same day air-to-sea/sea-to-air transit passengers between the airport and Pearl River Delta ports and is capable of handling eight million passengers a year with enhanced passenger services. The opening hours of SkyPier are from 7:30am to 10:30pm and access to and from the SkyPier is via Automatic People Mover (APM). A ferry boarding entrance is available for those passengers at Transit Hall (Level 5 – Terminal 1);
http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/transport/transport-connection-with-mainland-china/ferry-transfer/service-at-a-glance.html

NEW HOTEL OPENING / HOTEL RENAMING
Swire Hotels new 345-room East Hotel located at 29 Taikoo Shing Road, Island East will officially opened on 25th January 2010.
The Harbour Plaza Hong Kong hotel located at 20 Tak Fung Street, Whampoa Garden, Hung Hom has been renamed Harbour Grand Kowloon with effect from 28th January 2010.
For more information see NEW AND FUTURE HOTELS
MUSEUM OF ART FREE CONCERT SERIES
Hong Kong Government's Leisure and Cultural Services Department is partnering the Friends of the Hong Kong Museum of Art to present a concert series entitled "The Sound of Art". Different musicians will be invited to give performances in the Lobby of the Museum of Art from 3.30pm to 4.30pm on the first Sunday of each month from 3rd January 2010 until 2nd May 2010. Admission to the concert series is free. The concert schedule is;
3rd January - From West to East: A Brief Encounter
7th February - programme to be confirmed
7th March - The Legacy of Schubert and Schumann: the German Leider
4th April - An afternoon with Piazolla flavours of Argentina
2nd May - Rediscovering the Piano Quartet: from Brahms to Samson Young
HONG KONG ATTRACTIONS FUN DEALS PROMOTION
Until 30th June 2010, Ocean Park Hong Kong, Ngong Ping 360, Hong Kong Wetland Park and Madame Tussauds Hong Kong are jointly offering a “Hong Kong Attractions Fun Deals” promotion. Visitors to any one of the four attractions during the promotional period can enjoy a 10% admission discount on production of ticket stubs at any of the other three attractions. Valid tickets from the four attractions can be redeemed until 31 July 2010.
WISDOM PATH MAINTENANCE WORK
Timber treatment work is currently taking place at the Wisdom Path at Ngong Ping and is scheduled to be completed by 31st March 2010. The attraction remains open to visitors during this period although some of the columns may be concealed from view and some footpaths may temporarily be partially closed.
STONECUTTERS BRIDGE / TSING SHA HIGHWAY OPENS
A new major landmark, Stonecutters Bridge linking Tsing Yi with Stonecutters Island and West Kowloon opened on 20th December 2009. The bridge, which is the world's second longest cable-stayed bridge, forms part of Tsing Sha Highway (Route 8), a new Expressway which will significantly reduce road journey times between New Territories towns such as Shatin and Hong Kong International Airport. Four airport bus routes, A10, A11, A12 and A22 will use the new bridge (from 29th January 2010) with reduced travelling times of up to ten minutes for journeys to and from the airport. For more information see WHAT'S NEW.
iSQUARE MALL OPENS
Hong Kong’s latest major shopping mall, iSQUARE at the junctions of Nathan Road, Peking Road and Lock Road in Tsim Sha Tsui opened on 16th December 2009. The distinctive 31-storey vertical “boutique mall” has a twelve-storey podium, cinema box and tower. The mall features mid to high end retail stores, restaurants, 1000-seat IMAX cinema, lifestyle and beauty shops. Unlike most vertical malls the design of iSQUARE gives it a light, airy and spacious feel and the mall’s glass curtain walls allow panoramic views over Kowloon.. At the end of December 2009 about 40 shops were open including Crocodile, Ice Fire, Lacoste, Bossinistyle, Moiselle, Bess, Tshirt Store, Byford, Wenger, Bruuns Bazzar, Futbol Trend, City Chain, Seiko Boutique, Isabella and G-TOX Concept Store. Shops due to open shortly include Broadway, Bose, Ninki Denki, Marketplace by Jasons, New Balance, Rouge Amour, Sabatina and Diane Freis. Restaurants already open include Chao Yang, Myung Ga Korean Restaurant, Sushi Nagoyaka Tei, Romankan Yokohama, Café Key West and Gyu Jin Shabushabu & Sukiyaki. The mall, which was developed by Associated International Hotels, is directly accessible from Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station via new exits R and H. Website;

Tsim Sha Tsui's prestigious new iSQUARE mall has a light and spacious ambience
MTR CROSS-BOUNDARY TRAVEL PASS LAUNCHED
From 1st December 2009 a “Tourist Cross-boundary Travel Pass” has been introduced by MTR. This ticket is specially designed for Cross-boundary visitors traveling to/from Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau MTR stations. It can be used for any 2 consecutive days within 1 month from date of issue and provides unlimited travel on MTR and Light Rail (except Airport Express, East Rail Line First Class, Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau stations) and 2 single journeys to/from Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau stations.
The ticket (HK$120) is available at Lo Wu / Lok Ma Chau stations and "MTR Travel" - Lo Wu Shop;
http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/whatsnew/tourist_xbpass.html
HONG KONG NATIONAL GEOPARK VISITOR CENTRE OPENED
Following the official opening of Hong Kong National Geopark in early November a Geopark Visitor Centre has opened on 18th December 2009. The visitor centre is located at the Lions Nature Education Centre at Sai Kung and is open from 9-30am to 4-30pm daily except Tuesdays when the centre is closed. For more information on Hong Kong National Geopark and the Visitor Centre see WHAT'S NEW.

PEAK TRAM AND SKY TERRACE PRICE INCREASE
From 1st January 2010 fares for the Peak Tram journey and for entrance to the Peak Tower Sky Terrace will be increased. The adult single-journey Peak Tram fare rises to HK$25 (from (HK$22) and the return fare rises to HK$36 (from HK$33). The last fare increase was in October 2006.
Admission to the Sky Terrace is increased to HK$25 for adults (from HK$20) and HK$12 for children (from HK$10). Admission to Sky Terrace which opened in November 2006 when refurbishment of the Peak Tower was completed was free until September 2007.
The price of "Sky Pass" combined Peak Tram/Sky Terrace admission has also increased to HK$56 from HK$48 adult including return Peak Tram ride or HK$45 from HK$37 with single Peak Tram journey.
Travel/ticket agencies have been given a three month period of grace during which current prices will continue to apply.
HEALTH DECLARATION FORMS FOR ARRIVING PASSENGERS DISCONTINUED
From Monday 21st December 2009 there will no longer be a requirement for Health Declaration Forms to be completed by arriving passengers at all Hong Kong's border control points. The measure was introduced in April as a response to the outbreak of swine flu and enabled Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) to trace passengers who had been in close contact with infected passengers. However since the spread of swine flu has become so widespread the value of the forms has become minimal. Over 350 staff were contracted by the CPU to work on the health declaration project and about 300,000 forms have been collected each day. Forms are disposed of three months after collection and at the beginning of December about 2.7 million forms were being kept in storage and treated as confidential.
Temperature checks for arriving passengers at Hong Kong's borders, also introduced in response to swine flu, will continue and passengers with fever will be advised to seek medical assistance but will not be detained for health checks. Also from 21st December 2009 the Hong Kong Hospital Authority will start a voluntary swine flu vaccination programme for vulnerable groups of Hong Kong residents including the elderly aged 65 and over, pregnant women and patients with chronic illnesses.
It is understood that the mainland authorities will continue to require health declaration forms for all passengers arriving at border control points in mainland China and for visitors to Shenzhen health declaration forms will continue to be distributed to travellers when they depart from Hong Kong.
K11 MALL OPENS
K11, Tsim Sha Tsui's latest mall, being promoted as "the first art mall in the world" and "intertwining the functions of art galleries and shopping malls and pioneers the blend of art, people and nature" has opened during December 2009. The mall, developed by New World Developments, and located at The Masterpiece on Hanoi Road has six shopping levels with over 100 mostly mid-range shops selling designer fashion, accessories, jewellery and watches, beauty and healthcare products, leather goods, shoes and bags, and lifestyle products. There is a Marketplace by Jasons supermarket at basement level. There are 22 restaurants, cafe's and food outlets including four restaurants in the Hyatt Regency Hotel, housed in the same building, and the mall features a "gourmet tower" with a range of restaurants including Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Western and Thai. There are art works and sculptures throughout the mall. The mall is conveniently located next to exit D2 of Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station.
Visitors can obtain a pamphlet of coupons with numerous special opening discount and free gift offers from the information desk on the ground floor. Offers are valid until various dates mostly until the end of January and February 2010.
For shop directory and more information see the K11 website;

HONG KONG DISNEYLAND EXPANSION GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY
Following confirmation earlier this year that Hong Kong Disneyland is to proceed with a major expansion of the theme park, a ground breaking ceremony was held on 13th December 2009. The HK$3.6 billion expansion project will see three new areas and thirty new attractions added to the park during a five year period and will increase the park area by 23%. The park, in which the Hong Kong government has a 53% stake, is an important part of Hong Kong's tourism infrastructure and has created over 10,000 jobs and welcomed over 19 million visitors since opening in September 2005. For more information about Hong Kong Disneyland and the park expansion see HONG KONG DISNEYLAND.

BUDDING WINTER
"Budding Winter", organised by Hong Kong's Home Affairs Bureau, is a community arts programme which enables visitors to four of the city's most popular parks to enjoy the creative talents of local art and design students. Until 31st January 2010 Hong Kong Park, Kowloon Park, Sha Tin Park and Tuen Mun Park will be "dressed up" and feature visual art, text-based displays and art performances intended to engage the public in a dialogue between art and the natural environment. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays there are free bus shuttles between selected Budding Winter art zones. For full details of the Budding Winter programme, calendar and bus shuttles see the Budding Winter website;
OCEAN PARK JOINS THEME PARK ALLIANCE
Ocean Park has formed an alliance with eleven other theme parks in mainland China, Taiwan and Singapore in an attempt to encourage more overseas visitors to each of the parks. From 1st December 2009 visitors to any of the parks in the alliance can obtain a 10% discount from the full admission price on production of admission tickets from any of the other parks. Annual passholders are entitled to a 15% discount. The other eleven parks in the alliance are Beijing Aquarium, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, Shenzhen's OCT Happy Valley, OCT East Knight Valley and OCT East Tea Stream Valley, Panyu Chimelong Paradise in Guangzhou, Taiwan's Leofoo Village Theme Park and Hualien Farglory Ocean Park, and the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and Jurong Bird Park. The promotion lasts until 31st December 2010 except at Beijing Aquarium where it continues until 30th April 2011.
Ocean Park has seen a drop in profits from HK$204 million to HK$98 million for the financial year ended 30th June 2009. The global economic downturn, fears over swine flu, increased staff costs and spending on show production, poor weather and visa restrictions on mainland visitors who account for about half of the park's visitors have contributed to the reduction in profits. Ocean Park, which is currently part way through a major HK$5.5 billion seven-year redevelopment programme, increased its admission prices in October 2009.
STAR FERRY FARE INCREASES
Applications for fare increases on two Star Ferry routes were approved on 27th November and will take effect from 1st January 2010. Fares on both the Wanchai to Hung Hom and Central to Hong Hom services will increase from HK$6 to HK$6.30 for adults and from HK$3 to HK$3.20 for children. These routes have suffered from low patronage and annual losses of about HK$2 million have been incurred by the Star Ferry Company.
The second of two staggered fare increases already agreed for the Central to Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui routes also takes effect on 1st January 2010. Adult fares on these routes will increase by HK$0.20 to HK$2.50 Upper Deck and HK$2 Lower Deck for Monday to Friday sailings and by HK$0.50 and HK$0.40 to HK$3 Upper Deck or HK$2.40 Lower Deck respectively for Saturday, Sunday and public holiday sailings. The first phase of the increases took effect in March 2009.
From 1st December 2009 Ngong Ping 360 is introducing a unified price structure for cable car trips which means that days will no longer be differentiated as Normal Days and Special Days and same ticket prices will apply on all days of the week. Revised fares are HK$107 for a round trip (HK$54 child 3-11, HK$85 Hong Kong Senior Citizens) or HK$74 for a single trip (HK$38 child 3-11, HK$60 Hong Kong Senior Citizens). Prices for Crystal Cabins and Journey of Enlightenment Packages remain unchanged.
During the period 1st December 2009 to 31st December 2009 Hong Kong Identity Card holders whose card shows the numbers 3, 6 and 0 consecutively and in sequence can enjoy a free round-trip in a Standard Cabin on production of their ID card at Ngong Ping 360 Ticketing Offices whilst Hong Kong ID Card holders showing numbers 3, 6 and 0 but not in sequence are entitled to a 25% discount from any ticket type.
Until 30th June 2010 in a joint promotion with Ocean Park , Madame Tussauds and Hong Kong Wetland Park a 10% discount will be allowed on production of tickets from either of the other partners attractions and in a joint promotion with Hong Kong International Airport a discounted "Sky Ride and Game Pass" is being offered for HK$198 which allows visitors a round-trip on the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car and entertainment facilities at Terminal 2 of the airport including 4D Extreme Screen Cinema, Aviation Discovery Centre, "Asia Hollywood" movie-themed interactive exhibition hall and i-Sports interactive sports games.
The second edition of the Michelin Hong Kong Macau Guide was published on 26th November 2009 and reviews 205 restaurants and 40 hotels from Hong Kong and 38 restaurants and 15 hotels from Macau. The bilingual (English and Chinese) guide includes 3 three-star restaurants, 9 two-star restaurants and 39 one-star restaurants. The first Michelin Hong Kong Macau Guide was published in 2008 and the latest edition includes 45 new entries and expands the area covered to include locations such as Sham Shui Po, Sham Tseng, Shatin, San Po Kong and Yuen Long. The Bib Gourmands selection detailing restaurants serving a good meal for HK$300 or less has been expanded from 24 to 45 restaurants. The guide was compiled by four anonymous inspectors, two Chinese, one English and one French. The 3 three-star rated restaurants are the only three-star restaurant from the previous guide, Lung King Heen, a Chinese restaurant in Four Seasons Hotel joined by Caprice, a French restaurant, also at Four Seasons Hotel making the Four Seasons the only hotel in the world with 2 three-star restaurants and Galera a Robuchon, a French restaurant at Hotel Lisboa in Macau. At the opposite end of the scale the guide, Tim Ho Wan, a dim sum outlet in Mong Kok opened by Lung Hing Keen's former dim sum director and serving dishes from as little as HK$10 and Hung's Delicacies at North Point, another inexpensive restaurant where a good meal can be enjoyed for HK$50 both earned one-star. The Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau costs HK$168 from major bookstores in Hong Kong.
Yan Tun Kong Study Hall at Hang Tau Tsuen, Ping Shan, Yuen Long and the residence of Ip Ting-sz at Lin Ma Hang, Shau Tau Kok were declared monuments under Hong Kong's Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance on 6th November 2009. The residence of Ip Ting-sz was built in 1908 and is modelled on Dr Sun Yat-sen's residence in Cuiheng Village, Zhongshan. Yan Tun Kong Study Hall (Yin Yik Tong) is a three-hall building with two open courtyards originally built by descendants of the Tang Clan of Ping Shan. It is not known when the hall was built but there are indications that there was a large-scale renovation in 1870. The Antiquities and Monuments Office is to carry out renovation works to both buildings totalling HK$14.5 million and following completion in 2011 the buildings will be opened to the public. For full details see;
http://www.amo.gov.hk/en/news_20091103.php
CHANGES TO MTR TOURIST PASSES
From 1st October 2009 the benefits of the Airport Express Travel Pass have been extended to include three days unlimited travel on MTR Light Rail and MTR Bus (mainly "feeder" bus services to some West Rail and East Rail stations) in addition to existing benefits of either one or two Airport Express journeys (depending on type of pass) and three days unlimited travel on all other MTR lines except to the border stations of Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau.
The benefits of the MTR Tourist Day Pass and MTR Child Tourist Day Pass have been extended to include three days unlimited travel on MTR Light Rail in addition to existing benefits of unlimited travel on all MTR lines except Airport Express and journeys to the border stations of Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau
"NWFB RICKSHAW SIGHTSEEING BUS" HOP-ON, HOP-OFF OPEN-TOP SERVICE
From 18th October 2009 New World First Bus is introducing its "NWFB Rickshaw Sightseeing Bus". The "hop-on, hop-off" service utilises open-top double-deck buses decorated in a rickshaw-themed branding. There are two routes, the "Heritage Tour" and "Metropolis Tour" each departing from Central Star Ferry Pier at 30 minute intervals and taking about 50 minutes from start to finish. The routes which cover the Central, Sheung Wan, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay districts on Hong Kong Island serve a total of 21 stops and pass numerous scenic locations including 16 declared monuments and 10 grade-one historic buildings. A One Day Pass costs HK$50 for adults and HK$25 for children under 12* and seniors 65 or over and can be used an unlimited number of times on both routes. (* children under 4 can travel free if accompanied by an adult and not occupying a seat). Single journey tickets can also be purchased. Purchasers of One Day Passes receive a complimentary route map. There is an on-board video presentation with journey commentary in Mandarin and English and buses are also equipped with a bus stop announcement system. For more details see OPEN-TOP SIGHTSEEING BUS TOURS
OCEAN PARK ADMISSION PRICE INCREASE
Ocean Park's admission price has increased from 5th October 2009. Adult ticket price is increased from HK$208 to HK$250 whilst ticket prices for children (aged 3-11) have increased from HK$103 to HK$125. Although the park is a non-profit making statutory body it has to pay its operating expenses and service the loan on the HK$5.5 billion redevelopment which is currently taking place and which has seen the opening of the new "Amazing Asian Animals" attraction in April and its "Ocean Express" funicular railway in September 2009. The 1.3km funicular railway links the park's two main lands "Waterfront" (formerly "Lowland") and "Summit" (formerly "Headland") in a three minute themed ride. The train is designed to resemble a submersible vehicle and the ride offers an exciting,vivid experience which simulates a journey through the depths of the ocean. The ride is capable of transporting 5,000 passengers an hour in each direction through a tunnel which was created by excavating 71,300 sq metres of earth. The price increase was originally intended to take effect from 1st August 2009 but was deferred until after the summer period.
Over the last financial year ended 30th June 2009 the park attendance fell by about 5% to 4.78 million against an annual attendance of 5.03 million for the financial year 2007/2008. However during May and June 2009 the park has seen the number of visitors fall by up to one-third with many mainland visitors, particularly tour groups reluctant to visit Hong Kong over fears of swine flu and mainland travel restrictions. Ocean Park, which last raised its prices in October 2007 still be considerably cheaper than Hong Kong Disneyland which charges HK$350 for adult admission.
TAI TAM WATERWORKS HERITAGE TRAIL OPENED
A 5km heritage trail featuring 21 historic waterworks structures which have recently been designated as declared monuments has opened during September 2009. The Tai Tam Waterworks Heritage Trail located in Tai Tam Country Park on the south-eastern side of Hong Kong Island allows visitors to enjoy magnificent structures dating back to 1883 including dams, bridges, pumping houses and aqueducts all set in the scenic and tranquil surroundings of the country park. For more detailed information see TAI TAM WATERWORKS HERITAGE TRAIL
POLICE MUSEUM - TEMPORARY CLOSURE
Hong Kong Police Museum at Coombe Road, The Peak will be temporarily closed for maintenance and renovation from 2nd November 2009 until May 2010.
The MTR Kowloon Southern Link (KSL) which connects the West Rail line and East Rail line opened on August 16th 2009. The 3.8km KSL extends the existing West Rail Line from Nam Cheong Station to Hung Hom Station via the new Austin Station in West Kowloon and the existing East Tsim Sha Tsui Station. The terminus of both East Rail and West Rail is now Hung Hom. West Rail line train frequency has been increased to three minutes and journey times from Kowloon to the north-west New Territories have been substantially reduced with the journey between East Tsim Sha Tsui and Tuen Mun being cut by over 20 minutes. East Tsim Sha Tsui Station previously on East Rail line is now a West Rail station and passengers travelling between East Tsim Sha Tsui Station and stations on East Rail will need to change at Hung Hom. Reports from early travellers indicate a transfer time of about 9 minutes for the interchange between East Rail and West Rail at Hung Hom. For full details see;
http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/whatsnew/austin.html
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MTR West Rail line including the new extension from Nam Cheong to Hung Hom
NEW FERRY LINK FROM AIRPORT TO GUANGZHOU
A new fast catamaran ferry route from Hong Kong International Airport's SkyPier to NanshaPort in Guangzhou commenced operating on 14th July 2009. The service is jointly operated by Panyu Nansha Passenger Terminal Transport and TurboJET and there is one ferry daily in each direction leaving Guangzhou at 9-30am and Hong Kong at 3-30pm with the journey taking about 60 minutes. Fares are HK$356 Economy Class or HK$471 Super Class but for a limited period special promotional fares of HK$304 Economy Class and HK$402 are available. For more information see;
FULL INDOOR SMOKING BAN / FIXED-PENALTY SYSTEM
From 1st July 2009 the current indoor smoking ban which has been in force since 1st January 2007 has been extended to all indoor areas including restaurants, karaoke lounges, bars, nightclubs, malls, bathhouses, massage establishments and mahjong-tin kau premises.
NEW 14 DAY VISA-FREE ACCESS FOR RUSSIANS
With effect from 1st July 2009 the Hong Kong Government Immigration Department has announced that Russian nationals will be allowed 14 days visa-free access to Hong Kong.
NEW MTR CHILD TOURIST DAY PASS
A Child Tourist Day Pass has been introduced from 1 May 2009. Valid for children aged 3 to 11 it costs HK$25 and provides unlimited travel on the MTR (except Airport Express, Light Rail, East Rail Line First Class and the border stations of Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau). Since 1st October 2009 the pass also includes unlimited travel on MTR Light Rail. The ticket is restricted to tourists who are non-Hong Kong residents and are staying in Hong Kong for less than 14 days. The pass is valid for 24 consecutive hours starting from time of first journey and for a period of one month from date of issue. The pass can be purchased at Customer Service/Information Centres at all MTR stations (except Light Rail) and passport must be presented when purchasing.
ONLINE PUBLIC TRANSPORT ENQUIRY SERVICE (PTES) LAUNCHED
The Hong Kong Government Transport Department launched the pilot version of the city's first universal online public transport route search engine on April 28th 2009. The serviceprovides users with free public transport point to point searches on the Internet. The Hong Kong public transport system carries more than 11 million passengers per day, but most of the available public transport point-to-point route search services on the Internet only show information for one particular kind of transport mode. The new online guide provides route options including Mass Transit Railway, Light Rail Transit, franchised bus, green minibus, tram, peak tram, ferry, cross boundary coach to Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang and bus to Ma Wan and Discovery Bay. The public can search the possible routes based on number of interchanges, fare, estimated journey time and preferred transport mode. The PTES is also equipped with map information to facilitate users in setting the origin and destination. Users may check the relevant boarding, alighting and interchange locations of the selected public transport route choice on the map for a better understanding of the vicinity of the locations. Red minibuses are not included in the options as they are unregulated and routes change frequently.Trials of the website have however unveiled some problems and there has been criticism that the site is not "user-friendly". Origin an destination cannot be entered on the same page at the same time and users have to click through five pages before route options are displayed. The search engine is unable to find some remote destinations such as Po Toi Islands although there are regular ferry services. The website address is;
http://ptes.td.gov.hk
NEW MEASURES FOR VISITORS FROM TAIWAN
The Government of Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department has implemented a new measure for the entry of Taiwan residents visiting Hong Kong effective from 27 April 2009. Under the new arrangement Taiwan residents 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 enter Hong Kong on visitor status and stay for up to seven days if normal immigration requirements are met without the need to possess a valid entry/exit endorsement for the Mainland, as previously required. For details please refer to:
http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_7.htm#9
RELOCATION OF HONG KONG INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING AND EXHIBITION GALLERY
The Hong Kong Planning and Infrastructure Exhibition Gallery has been relocated in late May 2009 from Edinburgh Place to Ground Floor, Murray Road Multi-storey Car Park Building, 2 Murray Road, Central (opposite Bank of China Building). The Gallery is open from 10am to 6pm Sunday, Monday and Wednesday to Saturday and is closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays) and the first two days of Chinese New Year. Admission is free.
BOGUS HOTEL LIMOUSINE / ILLEGAL TAXI WARNINGS
There have been recent reports from visitors of drivers posing as hotel employees at Hong Kong International Airport and touting to provide limousine services at exhorbitant rates, charging as much as US$300 (HK$2,340) for journeys to Hong Kong Island. Visitors are reminded that official hotel limousines and saloon cars are allowed to load and unload passengers only at the designated Hotel & Travel Agent Limousine Waiting Lounge. Hotel service counters and uniformed hotel staff in the Arrivals Hall are allowed to provide assistance to passengers and escort them to the designated waiting lounge for boarding. Similarly unlicensed taxi drivers are also believed to be approaching visitors and touting for business in the Arrivals Hall. A group of visitors was recently charged over HK$300 for a trip from the airport to Hong Kong Disneyland, a journey which should cost no more than HK$120. Visitors should proceed to the official taxi rank at the airport and ignore any approaches made by taxi drivers in or around the Arrivals Hall. Example taxi fares to designated locations are displayed at the taxi rank and leaflets detailing sample fare, types of taxis and hotline numbers are also available. A new taxi fare structure implemented between between November 2008 and February 2009 resulted in lower fares for longer journeys including journeys to/from the airport being reduced by up to 30% and information should be displayed inside the taxi showing the new fare structure. The Transport Department, Police and Airport Authority have a special task force to deal with illegal transport activities at the airport and is to step up patrolling in the Arrivals Hall and car parks.
NGONG PING 360 INTRODUCES GLASS-BOTTOM CABLE CAR CABINS
Ngong Ping 360 has announced it is introducing twelve glass-bottom "Crystal Cabins" on the cable car system linking Tung Chung and Ngong Ping from 4th April 2009. Owing to the weight of the three-layer 5cm glass floor each cabin can accommodate up to only ten passengers rather than the seventeen passengers which can be accommodated in standard cabins. Tickets for the "crystal cabins" cost HK$109 one-way or HK$157 for a return journey. Fares for regular cabins are HK$63 one-way or HK$96 return. Further details are available here;
http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/np360_exp/crystal_cabin.html
Tickets can be booked online at;
http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/np360_exp/cablecar_index.html#crystal
and can be bought at the cable car termini ticket offices.

Ngong Ping 360 glass-bottom "Crystal Cabin"
SKYEXPRESS AIRPORT TO HOTEL COACH SERVICES
Hong Kong Airport Authority has appointed SkyeXpress (operated by Sun Bus Limited, member of TIH, Kowloon Motor Bus and SHKP Group) as the sole official licensed and authorised operator for the provision of Airport Hotel Coach Services, linking major hotels and the Hong Kong International Airport. Services operate at 15/30 minute intervals from 6-15am and 00-15am from the airport to hotels in Kowloon and the New Territories and 6-30am and midnight from the airport to hotels on Hong Kong Island. Fares are;
Airport - Hong Kong Island hotels HK$140 single trip (HK$230 round trip)
Airport - Kowloon hotels HK$130 single trip (HK$210 round trip)
Airport - New Territories hotels HK$120 (HK$200 round trip)
Children under 3 travel free
Tickets can be purchased at the SkyeXpress Service counters 5T031A and 5T099B in the Buffer Hall (between customs and arrivals hall) in Terminal 1 and SkyeXpress Service Counter CO7 and CO8 in Terminal 2. The counters are open from 6am to 00-15am daily.
For further information see SkyeXpress website;
http://www.skyexpress.com.hk/eng/home.php

"SkyeXpress" airport - hotel shuttle coach
The six-year major upgrade of Tung Chung Road from Lung Tseng Tau near Tung Chung to Cheung Sha (San Shek Wan) was finally completed when a new section of road from Pak Kung Au to Cheung Sha (near Cheung Sha Bridge) opened on February 6th 2009. The existing section of road between Pak Kung Au to Cheung Sha is now closed and all traffic including buses will use the new road. Tung Chung Road links north and south Lantau and the existing road which is narrow in many places and has steep hills and sharp bends has long been considered inadequate. However the existing speed limit of 30km per hour remains in force and only vehicles issued with Lantau Closed Road Permits are allowed to use the road. The number of tour coaches allowed access to South Lantau via Tung Chung Road also continues to be limited to 30 a day. Since 6th February 2009 New Lantao Bus Company services 3M (Mui Wo - Tung Chung), 11 (Tai O - Tung Chung), 23 (Tung Chung - Ngong Ping), A35 and N35 (Airport - Mui Wo) have been diverted to use the new section of road. Service 3M will no longer serve the section of South Lantau Road between Cheung Sha Bridge and San Shek Wan and passengers can instead use service 11.
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The new section of the upgraded Tung Chung Road at its junction with South Lantau Road at San Shek Wan near Cheung Sha
REPRIEVE FOR CANTONESE OPERA VENUE
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. 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.

Hong Kong's main Cantonese Opera venue the Sunbeam Theatre on King's Road
Work has commenced on construction of a 1.52 hectare landscaped public piazza with Chinese garden and lotus ponds at Ngong Ping in the religious Di Tan area adjoining the Po Lin Monastery and Giant Buddha statue. The project will include a central pedestrian way dedicated to the Buddhist Bodhi Path teachings with stone statues and pillars on either side and is intended to complement existing tourist attractions including the monastery, giant Buddha and Ngong Ping 360 cable car and will provide open space for visitors and improve pedestrian flow. The work is estimated to cost HK$72 million. The road between Ngong Ping Village and the Po Lin Monastery and Buddha Statue is now closed and buses are terminating outside Ngong Ping Village. Di Tan Square (at the foot of the steps to the Giant Buddha) which was closed to the public since early January 2009 has reopened. The project is scheduled to be completed by 20th April 2010.

Construction works around Di Tan Square at Ngong Ping are scheduled to be completed in late April 2010 (picture taken November 2009)
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TAI O CULTURE WORKSHOP REOPENEDTai O Culture Workshop on Wing On Street, Tai O (not to be confused with nearby Tai O Rural Committee Historic and Cultural Showroom also on Wing On Street) reopened in late December 2008 after having been closed following severe flooding during Typhoon Hagupit during September 2008. Many of the exhibits had been damaged or destroyed and the future of the museum had been in doubt but painstaking work has resulted in restoration of many exhibits. The folk museum founded in 2001 by its curator local resident and historian Wong Wai-king who has written a book illustrating the history of Tai O is located in a 100 year-old riverside building a feature of which is its rather low ceiling. The museum which contains rare relics from the local salt and fishing industries demonstrating how the villagers lived a century ago receives no external funding and exists mainly on sales of postcards and books.

Tai O Culture Workshop after its reopening in late December 2008
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FREE Wi-fi LAUNCHED ON BUSES
Wi-fi internet access has been launched on 17th September 2008 on ten bus routes serving Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The routes are New World First Bus services 2,2A,8,101,104,106,111,112,116 and Citybus "Cityflyer" airport routes A11 and A12. Buses with wi-fi access are labelled "Free Internet access on Wi-fi bus" near the door. Passengers can surf the internet at a transfer speed of 7.2 megabits per second. The wireless network is identified as "Planet G705". See INTERNET ACCESS for more information on availability of free internet access in Hong Kong.
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HARD ROCK CAFE CLOSURE
Hard Rock Cafe in Tsim Sha Tsui closed on 24th November 2008 when the lease on its premises expired. The company did not renew the lease owing to the current economic climate but has indicated that this is a temporary closure and is committed to reopening when the economy improves and will press ahead with plans for two new restaurants in 2009.
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Promising a comeback - Hard Rock Cafe
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A35 AIRPORT BUS SERVICE CHANGES
With effect from 16 November 2008 the service level of A35 bus service between the airport and Mui Wo on Lantau has been substantially reduced from nineteen daily departures each way to just five each way. New Lantao Bus Company had applied to axe the loss making service completely but have now decided to reduce the frequency and at the same time increase the frequency of services 3M between Tung Chung and Mui Wo and 11 between Tung Chung and Tai O. As an alternative to service A35 passengers can take the frequent S1 shuttle bus service (with luggage facilities) from outside the passenger terminal to Tung Chung and then change to service 3M for Mui Wo. However not all buses on the 3M route have luggage facilities and those services using buses with luggage facilities (approx hourly) are indicated in the new timetable which is available on the New Lantao Bus Company website;
http://www.newlantaobus.com/nlb.html
Night service N35 continues to operate with departures from the airport at 1-30am and 4-30am and from Mui Wo at 3-15am and 4-20am.
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LANTAU HIKING TRAILS CLOSED
Following severe landslides resulting from Typhoon Hagupit in September 2008 several popular hiking trails on Lantau Island remain closed either temporarily or permanently. There is a permanent diversion to Section 4 of the Lantau Trail between Sham Wat Road and Ngong Ping via Ngong Ping Road, Ngong Ping Village and the Ngong Ping 360 Emergency Rescue Trail. The circular Nei Lak Shan Trail is permanently closed and a short section which was unaffected by landslides has now become part of the diverted Lantau Trail. The Shek Pik Country Trail is permanently closed. Up to date information is available on the Agriculture and Fisheries Department website;
http://www.hkwalkers.net/pathinfo/announcement_eng.php
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MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCT SAFETY
Visitors to Hong Kong concerned about the safety of milk and dairy products in Hong Kong can find a comprehensive list of all products tested satisfactorily and unsatisfactorily for Melamine on the Hong Kong Government's Centre for Food Safety website;
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NEW SUBWAYS FOR TSIM SHA TSUI STATION
A major MTR project at Tsim Sha Tsui Station includes a new subway, installation of lift and three new entrances at the Mira Hotel (formerly Hotel Miramar), the Mira shopping centre and the Tung Ying Building. The subway project comprises two 80-metre sections of tunnel and a 45-metre concourse running 15 metres under Nathan Road from the junction of Cameron Road and Kimberley Road. The work is expected to be completed in 2013. Earlier plans to build two new station entrances next to Kowloon Park have been abandoned to avoid a negative impact on old and valuable trees in the area.
MTR Stations at Jordan, Sham Shui Po and Yau Ma Tei are also having lifts installed at one exit of each station in projects due to be completed by 2011 which will then reduce the number of MTR stations without lift access to 13.
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DISNEYLAND EXPRESS BUS ROUTES CONSOLIDATEDSpecial direct Disneyland Express bus services from Hong Kong Island and Kowloon have been discontinued from 1 September 2008. However return services after the fireworks (the last event each day at Disneyland) still operate. Route R11 has been consolidated with route R21 and serves Mong Kok, Jordan, East Tsim Sha Tsui, Hung Hom, Cross Harbour Tunnel, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and North Point. Route R21 is discontinued. Route R22 from Disneyland has been extended to Yau Tong. For more information on bus services to and from Disneyland see HONG KONG DISNEYLAND.
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OUTLYING ISLAND FERRY SERVICE CHANGES AND FARE INCREASES
Following re-tendering of outlying island ferry service routes licences have been awarded to new operators for three of the routes to take effect from 1st July 2008 for a three year period. The service from Central to Peng Chau (previously New World First Ferry "NWFF") will be operated by Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Limited (HKKF), Central to Yung Shue Wan (previously operated by HKKF) will be operated by Islands Ferry Company Limited (a subsidiary of HKKF) and Central to Sok Kwu Wan (previously HKKF) will be operated by Winnertex Limited (also a subsidiary of HKKF). NWWF have been retained as operator of the Central to Mui Wo route. These routes have been making substantial financial losses and there will be fare increases ranging from approximately 5% to 22% although there will be some fare reductions on the Central to Yung Shue Wan which will be operated by a single vessel type rather than "fast" and "ordinary" vessels which currently serve the route.
NWWF have retained the operating licences for the Central to Cheung Chau and Inter-Islands routes. There are minor changes to the Cheung Chau timetable including an additional early morning Fast Ferry from Cheung Chau and small fare increases. On the Inter-Islands route there is no change to the number of sailings but timings of some sailings have been brought forward by five or ten minutes.
Over the next three years an extra tier will be added to each ferry pier in Central to assist ferry operators generate additional income from shops, restaurants and leasing buildings for exhibitions and performances.
Since these revised arrangements were implemented however residents of Peng Chau have complained of a reduction in quality of service. Concerns mainly relate to cleanliness of vessels and stability of ferries now being operated on that route.
For more details, revised timetables and fares see "Ferries-Outlying Islands".
Additionally, from August 2008 the ferry service previously operated by HKKF from Aberdeen to Yung Shue Wan (Lamma Island) via Pak Kok Tsuen has been taken over by Tsui Wah Ferry Service (HK) Ltd resulting in increased fares and an increased journey time of 40 minutes.
CLOSED ZONE TO BE OPENED TO PUBLIC
The closed area between Hong Kong and Shenzhen is to be opened up to the public in 2010 and in early May 2008 the government announced a green plan for the area which 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 will 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 public consulation on the proposals ends on August 8th 2008.
VISITORS WARNED OF FAKE MONKS SCAM
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FREE GOVWi-Fi ACCESS FOR VISITORS
The Government Wi-Fi (GovWiFi) Programme was launched on 27th March 2008 and allows free Wi-Fi Internet Access initially at some 35 government locations. By the end of June 2009 around 350 wireless hotspots were available mainly at public libraries, large parks, sports centres, key cultural and recreational centres, public enquiry centres and job centres. The free service is available for visitors to Hong Kong to use and details of hotspot locations can be found at;
http://www.gov.hk/en/theme/wifi/location/index.htm
On 2 December 2007 the merger of the MTR and KCR rail companies took effect and MTRC (Mass Transit Rail Corp) has become the sole operator of rail services in Hong Kong. The combined MTR, KCR rail and bus services, Light Rail and Airport Express services will operate under the MTR banner. Over a five week period following the merger KCR and Light Rail station signage logos were replaced with MTR branded signs and the KCR brand has completely disappeared from the network. The former KCR Mongkok Station on East Rail has been renamed Mongkok East to avoid confusion with MTR Mongkok Station on the Tsuen Wan Line.
As a result of the merged operations fare reductions have been implemented on all routes (except Airport Express and Light Rail) for Octopus Card users and in due course when ticket vending machines have been reprogrammed will also apply to single journey tickets. All rail fares will be reduced by a minimum of 20 cents. In addition fares currently costing HK$12 or more will be reduced by HK$1 and fares currently costing HK$8.50 and HK$11.90 will be reduced by at least five per cent. Removal of the second charge interchange barriers at some stations means fares will halve on some journeys passing through these stations.
Holders of the green Elder Octopus Card are entitled to travel for a flat rate of HK$2 per trip on Sundays and public holidays for a period of one year (since amended to Wednesdays and public holidays)
The Airport Express 3 day Tourist Octopus Card has been rebranded the "Airport Express Travel Pass" but otherwise remains unaltered with single or two journey Airport Express options and unlimited MTR travel. On 28th September 2008 the "unlimited travel" was extended to include the former KCR East Rail, West Rail and Ma On Shan lines but does not include travel to the mainland border stations of Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau.
There are Fare Saver HK$2 Octopus Card discounts available from MTR Fare Saver Card Readers at some stations. The discount applies to the next MTR journey made using the Octopus Card. More details here;
http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/whatsnew/images/Fare_Saver.pdf
Services, route information and fares can be found on the MTR website;
http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/homepage/cust_index.html
More information on train services in Hong Kong see the TRAIN SERVICES section of Hong Kong Extras.
In response KMB has announced bus fare reductions on seven connecting trips covering 21 routes in areas served by MTR and KCR, mainly in Kowloon and the western New Territories.
PO LIN MONASTERY CONSTRUCTION WORKS
Visitors to Po Lin Monastery at Ngong Ping should note that major construction works are taking place. The buildings at the rear of the main hall (Hall of Great Hero) have been demolished to make way for construction of the new Ten Thousand Buddhas Palace.

Image of new Ten Thousand Buddhas Palace to be constructed at Po Lin Monastery
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