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.

Accessible Taxi Services 

Domestic Help

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.

Neighborhood Groups on Facebook

Search Facebook for neighborhood groups in your area. Larger apartment complexes often have their own residents’ group as well, either on Facebook or WhatsApp. Examples include:

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

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.

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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