Useful Websites and Phone Numbers
Emergency Numbers
Police, Fire or Ambulance
To obtain prompt action, when the operator answers, say “Police,” “Fire” or “Ambulance” (as applicable) and be ready to give your name and ID number.
999
For speech and/or hearing impaired (Registration required)
SMS 992
St. John Ambulance Brigade (24-hour free ambulance service)
24-Hour Emergency Number
1878 000
Service Hotline
2524 4888
Useful Numbers
Airport Enquiry Hotline
2181 8888
Automobile Association 24-hr Emergency Hotline
9080 9843
Consumer Council Enquiry Hotline
2929 2222
Department of Health
2961 8989
Fire Service
2723 8787
Immigration Dept
2824 6111
Lost Property (Taxis)
187 2920
Lost Property (MTR)
2861 0020
PCCW Telephone Directory (English)
1081
Police Dept Hotline
2527 7177
Post Office Enquiry Hotline
2921 2222
RTHK Service Hotline
2272 0000
The Samaritan Befrienders’ Emotional Support Hotline (English)
2389 2223
Transport Complaint Unit Hotline
2889 9999
Transport Dept General Enquiries
2804 2600
Tourism Board Hotline
2508 1234
Weather
187 8200
PLAN and ARRIVE: Useful Websites and Apps for Newcomers
Must-Have Apps
The following smartphone apps may prove useful for your time in Hong Kong. Simply visit the websites mentioned and follow their instructions to download the apps.
Air Quality
The Air Quality Index website has a downloadable app that makes it easy to check the level of air pollution before you head out.
App1933 – KMB/LWB, CitybusNWFB
Frequent bus riders will find these apps invaluable for tracking bus arrivals and looking up routing information. Use App1933 if traveling Kowloon-side and CitybusNWFB on the Island.
HKTaxi
A life-saver during peak traffic hours, HKTaxi is a locally created taxi-hailing app that works similar to Uber except you aren’t required to pay in advance. Book taxis from anywhere in the city and skip the queues every time. Free to download from Google Play and the App Store.
MTR Mobile
MTR Hong Kong has a downloadable app that allows you to plan your journey as well as check your journey time. Train schedules, route maps and ticket price information are accessible from the palm of your hand.
My Observatory
The Hong Kong Observatory’s mobile app provides pocket access to local and regional weather updates, a UV index, and even a storm tracker for the city’s infamous typhoons. Thanks to its incoming bad weather alerts, you will never be caught off guard by a rainstorm ever again.
OpenRice
OpenRice is the local equivalent of websites like Yelp (but exclusively for food), providing user-generated reviews and ratings of food establishments throughout the territory. Users can search for reviews and recommendations via cuisine type or location. The website also has a downloadable app, which is useful for when you’re out and about and feel like a quick snack.
Accessibility
- Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation
- Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth
- Transport Department guide for people with disabilities
Accessible Taxi Services
Domestic Help
- Interactive Employment Service of the Labor Department job board
- “Practical Guidebook for the Employment of Foreign Domestic Helpers” (Labour Department)
- HelperChoice
- ERB Smart Living (Employees Retraining Board)
- ERB Smart Baby Care
Expat Community Resources
AsiaXPAT
Started in 1999, this site offers classifieds, message boards, business directories and articles about living in Hong Kong.
GeoExpat
GeoExpat, which claims to be Hong Kong’s largest expat website, has classified ads, forums and business listings, as well as a sister site, GeoBaby, aimed at young expat families.
Hong Kong Moms
Probably the most famous Facebook group in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Moms (which also welcomes dads and the childless) was created in 2010 and now boasts more than 60,000 members. Forgot your wallet in a taxi on Caine Road? Try posting about it on Hong Kong Moms — chances are good that another member will have picked it up. Members are equally known for getting into heated debates about hot-button topics; since everyone you know in Hong Kong will see your messages, do post with care.
Just Landed
This website for expats around the world has a Hong Kong-specific guide with nitty-gritty information about settling into the city.
Other Websites to Bookmark
Discover Hong Kong
The site of the Hong Kong Tourism Board has events listings and detailed neighborhood guides, including lesser-known parts of Kowloon and New Territories.
GovHK
Search across all of the Hong Kong Government’s many websites and find contact information, opening hours and much more.
WORK: Useful Websites for Businesses and Entrepreneurs
Business and Startup News
Sources for business and startup news in Hong Kong include:
Other Websites to Bookmark
Invest Hong Kong
A government department which helps foreign companies, large and small alike, to set up or expand their business in Hong Kong.
LIVE and EXPLORE: Useful Websites and Apps for Getting the Most Out of Hong Kong
Air Quality Apps
Children and Families
Cycling
Cycling Information Centre (CIC)
A one-stop platform with information on recreational and leisure cycling activities, including locations of cycle tracks and cycling grounds.
Hong Kong Cycling Alliance (Facebook group)
A bicycle and cycling advocacy group working to promote cycling in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Tourism Board
Includes information on popular cycling routes and bike tours in Hong Kong.
Education
Education Bureau
Provides a useful overview of Hong Kong’s school system, as well as news about application deadlines, school closures and subsidy schemes. There is also information specifically for non-Chinese-speaking families seeking to navigate the local school system.
SCMP Education section
For information about new schools and trends in education. (Subscribers only)
Top Schools Hong Kong
This educational consulting agency runs a free website featuring a frequently updated school finder with in-depth information. On their Facebook group, Hong Kong Schools, anxious parents can crowdsource answers to their every international school-related question.
Environment
Community Organizations
Environmental Centers
Government Websites
- Environment and Conservation Fund
- Hong Kong Waste Reduction (Environmental Protection Department)
- Waste Reduction & Recycling (Gov.hk)
Publications
Events Listings and Tickets
Parking
BEYOND HONG KONG: Useful Websites for Exploring the Greater Bay Area
The Hong Kong government’s site dedicated to the Greater Bay Area provides a wealth of resources on the GBA cities, policy areas, development focus, facilitation measures, and more.
Other useful resources include:
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