How to fly to Hong Kong for the exhibition (part 1)
Back again from a trip to Hong Kong and Shen Zhen. 10 hours of flight. Boring. I remembered how I flew there for the first time a few years ago... First visit to Southeast Asia. April electronics show in Hong Kong, then exhibition in Guangzhou, then visit 12 factories in Shenzhen. Rich was a trip. Fortunately, I was helped by good people and I was getting just a little trouble. But the money I've spent much more than necessary, because did not know very much.
So I wanted, having in flight a bunch of free time to write this article — how to most effectively spend time and money (I fly exclusively on their own, so that the optimization of the cost of taxis) to visit Hong Kong to see two very interesting exhibitions of electronics and get a lot of positive impressions. Of course I am not the world's first expert on Hong Kong, because I have been there a total of only 15 times. There are far more experienced people. But, in my opinion, none of them ever wrote an article on habré, and April (and therefore exhibits), there is not much time. On the other hand, half a dozen visits — not so little, I love and know this great city, plus I get a lot of information from first hand: my partner lives with his family in Hong Kong for more than 10 years, and my very good buddy works there under the contract of 3.5 years, his wife is a licensed tour guide in Hong Kong. In General, hard to fuck up with tips and I don't have, well, in the comments I know people will correct, if that.
What is a Kong?
It is a special administrative region of China. Ie is a separate territory, with its own laws, army and police, separated from the mainland of China (the so-called "mainland") is quite a real border with barbed wire and other delights. The area is quite large, a lot of places. But at the same time the highest population density in the historic "downtown": main island (also called Hong Kong — in fact, from him came the name of the total area) and the nearest to it part of the Kowloon Peninsula. Once the reputation of Hong Kong were disgusting (corruption, crime, dirt and other delights). But now this is a great place to live and work, the international financial and economic center, the gateway to China, a tourist Mecca, clean and safe modern city (Yes, there are black spots, but they are relatively few).
Almost the entire population bearable (and older people very well) speaks English (due to the past British colonies), the native language for the local Chinese is Cantonese, but many visitors from the mainland who speak Mandarin (Chinese state standard). A lot of foreigners (there are very funny in their category — "meeseeks", hundreds of thousands of women from the Philippines and Indonesia, have a special work visa specifically to work with an AU pair).
Currency — Hong Kong dollar (that's what I'll continue to keep in mind the words "dollar" and "dollar"). The exchange rate against the ruble now — about 1 to 4.5 to the us dollar at 7.8 to 1, the yuan — 1.3 to 1. Other currencies are not accepted. Banknotes are the best I've seen — $ 500, but it seems there are th (in many stores saw the sign "sorry, 1000 is not taken"). Themselves notes and coins very cool (bill $ 10 — with a transparent window, the coin in $ 2 — type gears, etc., plus money to print a few private banks and the design of banknotes of the same denomination may differ).
Excellent transport system. Metro, buses, cool double Decker trams (on the island), taxis, ferries — everything is very convenient and (in the background) inexpensive. Payment depends on the distance and whether it is necessary to cross the Strait between Hong Kong island and the Kowloon Peninsula (for it is always charge an additional fee, in the case of a taxi — $ 50, for example).
However, the British heritage was manifested in a completely stupid outlets (well at least the voltage of 220V). So you are going to buy electronics — see, then to adapter home didn't have to look. And for their "European" plugs will have to visit to take the adapter in a hotel or buy yourself.
The Climate Is Tropical. Ie ugly (except for a few months) — hot and humid (as an option — it's cold and wet). In April — plus 25-28 and almost all the time raining (no rain — just overcast). In January I there are always lucky on the weather — this time it was in the afternoon about + 20 and the sun.
electronics show
So, in mid-April (and symmetrically in October) in Hong Kong are almost at the same time, two major exhibitions of electronics — China Sourcing Fair — Electronics & Components and Hong Kong Electronics Fair. Can't say which one is "main" and what is optional. In my opinion, both very interesting. Seems like the first a little more focused on components and one on the finished device, but in fact no particular difference. Perhaps one exhibition complex, simply can not accommodate everyone exhibitors? In any case, if I had to fly 7000 miles, it makes sense to visit both. Moreover, the electronic registration on the website in advance — admission is free. Immediately plan yourself every couple of days. They... Well, let's say, not small. For the first time, after the experience of Moscow exhibitions, the scale impressive. However, after visiting the exhibition in Guangzhou Paphos a few pritchet.
So, I recommend the first day be spent on a quick run throughout a range of printed materials and business cards of the exhibitors are interested in (be sure to write directly on the cards, mark — saves a lot of time). Then in the hotel all sorts, and on the second day will have to talk carefully with specific people. Business cards are exchanged. Ie you can stretch with two hands (a sign of respect) his card and will ask your "name card". Sometimes in exchange for your business card to give out Souvenirs or even something quite useful. So stock up on business cards (tip: make two sets of cards, one of them with "fake" email address, I think it is clear why?). Another hint — the last day of the exhibition, the Chinese love to sell a product with stand (some do it for the whole exhibition, but the tradition — it was the last day).
Sourcing Fair held at the exhibition complex Asia Expo near the Hong Kong airport. Out of town to get there too far (note — usually during the fair, with discounts on fare for Airport Express from the city to the exhibition and back). So perhaps the best solution is to visit it immediately after arrival. The second exhibition is located in the heart of Hong Kong island, Wan Chai district. There you can get a bunch of different (and very interesting!) ways.
Exhibition at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai (in the foreground)Usually the Chinese, participating in exhibitions in Hong Kong, one way or another speak English. This Hong Kong exhibition is positively different from the exhibitions in Guangzhou. Occasionally on the stands there are girls who genuinely believe they speak Russian. And even, in principle, they say they do relatively well, only understand the Russian language with great difficulty. There is still affected by the feature of the Chinese mentality when they say "Yes" or nodding does not mean that they agree with you or even that they have understood you — it's just an invitation to continue the conversation, nothing more.
The content of exhibitions in recent years, more than half of the stands is on the Android platform (except for special sections like Car Electronics). A lot of representatives of factories for the manufacture and Assembly of printed circuit boards (probably for an audience of Habra is the most interesting topic), and also sellers of components — connectors, cables and other things.
Why to go here? In fact, with only one purpose — to find partners for your project. A common scheme is this: at the exhibition, gather the coordinates of a dozen other factories, after the exhibition ride for him in the next Shenzhen (where 99% of these factories are located) and look, ask, sniff, assess, drinking wild amounts of very tasty tea, in General choose. If your project is not — well, probably, to do you there is nothing special, but to satisfy my own curiosity.
How to get to Hong Kong?
A visa for visits lasting up to 14 days not necessary. Just take a valid passport, buy plane tickets and fly.
Direct flights from Moscow to have two airlines Russian Aeroflot(from Sheremetyevo), and Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific (from Domodedovo). Once the tickets are cheaper at one, once — the other. What always surprises me — is the fact that direct flights are almost always more expensive. than indirect flights. So if you want to save money, you can fly Emirates or Air China (or some other company), but in the economy with transfers will be tired very much. Even a direct flight (9 hours there, 10 back) special pleasure does not deliver. Tickets for direct flights usually cost in the region of 25 thousand rubles (there and back), with transfers at around 18. But the cases are different, so my personal record — 16400 roubles for direct aeroflotsky flight. Catch discounts, order tickets in advance — and you will (probably) happiness. Now here I was flying for Rolls 28 thousand... Aeroflot on the same dates economy was offered at 38 (I was taking tickets for a month and a half before the trip).
To fly I personally like Skate. Chair more comfortable and the food is better. But the main thing is to schedule the return flight. Our good friends from Aeroflot made the return flight a day. Ie you pay for another night at the hotel, lose a whole day in Hong Kong (compared to the evening flight), fly by day (10 hours and sleeping you do not want) — a surprisingly good solution! Have the same Rolling schedule perfectly. And arrive there early morning and return flight in the morning. Very convenient.
note to Gil.
One time I flew to Hong Kong business class in Emirates. It so happened — then direct flight was only Aeroflot tickets aeroflotsky economy were more expensive business class of Emirates (they had some). Well, I can say that I will remember for a lifetime. If you have money — strongly recommend it!
On arrival in Hong Kong it's very simple: are the signs to Immigration (sometimes going by travelators or even on a special automatic train — airport well, very big), fill out a short immigration card, go through border control, collecting your baggage (if any) and you at the arrival hall (huge, clean and comfortable). In this room, immediately recommend to do two things: to withdraw a certain amount of local money (you can start for $ 500) in ATM (Citibank, HSBC and others — are all quite reliable) and in a Hong Kong subway MTR (round, almost in the center of the room) your card Octopus. It is a local universal ticket, plus a payment card bearer in many shops (handy to heavy metal tiny pockets not to save). It costs $ 50, and you will have her some money to throw (I travel a lot, so usually just $ 200 to join). Almost always, the transport can be paid in cash (drop the money in a special receiver, no change provided), but the octopus is much more convenient in all respects.
Also in the arrivals hall you can just buy a local SIM card (if arrived by Aeroflot, because the shop only opens at 9 am, and Rolling flight arrives much earlier), but they have no cards one2free (about communication in Hong Kong will be on).
the Trip from the airport to the city
Hong Kong Airport located on the island in the distance from the center, so there is an issue of transporting yourself, a loved one, to the destination (exhibition, hotel, etc.). Well, we taxi aside (the prices are quite reasonable, not far from Moscow, but we are saving). Actually, there are two options — high-speed Airport Express train and buses. Express is fast, cool and all that. However, it is not always ideal. Actually, the ideal option it is only in one case — if you directly from the airport should be in Shenzhen. Then, almost for free (60 bucks) and very fast (though with a bunch of crosses) leads directly to the border(Yes, to the border with China runs the subway, is very convenient — in fact, lately I tend to live in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, ride the subway, but you need to make reusable Chinese visa). Well before Asia Expo (the venue of the first of the shows) it is from the airport one stop to go. But if you want to use the city — highly recommend the bus. And not just because it's cheaper. From the bus window (especially from the first row of seats second floor) you will see a lot more interesting than travelling with considerable speed, and even half way through the tunnels, trains. Mountains, sea, huge bridges, huge ships under them, multi-level interchanges, skyscrapers — there is something to see.
So, from the arrival hall you walk down the aisle in the middle, turn right and go down to the bus terminal. Oktopus you already have and charged, so look at the diagram of the bus stops and go to take a turn. Yes, made in Hong Kong neat to stand in a queue to the place marked with a column with the number of the bus — there will be a front door through which passengers and go. Payment at the entrance — put the octopus to a special area, you have specified is deducted on a screen amount, that's all.
Most likely, you will need bus number 11 (if you are on Hong Kong island) or 21 (if in Kowloon). If you are in a hurry — choose the bus with the letter A, it goes quickly. But I strongly recommend the bus with the letter E — E11 or E21, respectively. They are almost half the price. Go longer, but the extra 20 minutes don't add up (especially if you come and Ride early in the morning).
Suppose you decided right from the airport to get to the exhibition in Wan Chai. Then, on the A11 road will take 40 minutes, on E11 — about an hour. The trip cost $ 40 for the first and 21 in the second. Go near the subway station Wan Chai, take an escalator up to the pedestrian gallery and go together with the main flow of people to the exhibition center (5 minutes walk).
Something a lot of text work... If there is interest in the topic, you will publish the second part: where to live, how to eat, what to do, how to get to Shenzhen, etc.
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