Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [227]
Dry cleaners are easy to spot and some laundries also offer a dry-cleaning service. Both prices and quality vary enormously, but expect to pay from $25 for a dress shirt, from $35 for a skirt and from $60 for a suit. Try Martinizing ( Map; 2525 3089; Ground fl, 7 Glenealy, Central; 8.30am-7pm Mon-Sat).
Return to beginning of chapter
LEFT LUGGAGE
There are left-luggage lockers in major MTR train stations, including the Hung Hom station; the West Tower of the Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan, from where the Macau ferry departs; and the China ferry terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui. Luggage costs between $20 and $30 for up to two hours (depending on the locker size) and between $25 and $35 for every 12 hours after that.
The Hong Kong Airport Express station has a left-luggage office that’s open from 6am to 1am. There’s also a counter on Level 5 (arrivals hall) at Hong Kong International Airport ( 2261 0110; 5.30am-1.30am). Storage here costs $35 for up to three hours, $50 for up to 24 hours and $120 for up to 48 hours. It’s $80 for each 24-hour period after that.
Generally the machines don’t use keys but spit out a numbered ticket when you have deposited your money and closed the door. You have to punch in this number when you retrieve your bag, so keep it somewhere safe or write the number down. Some lockers have a maximum storage time of three days, so read the instructions carefully.
If you’re going to visit Macau or the mainland and you’ll be returning to Hong Kong, most hotels and even some guesthouses and hostels have left-luggage rooms and will let you leave your gear behind, even if you’ve already checked out and won’t be staying on your return. There is usually a charge for this service, so be sure to inquire first.
Return to beginning of chapter
LEGAL MATTERS
Hong Kong has a serious drug problem, much of it supplied by the Triads. There are estimated to be more than 40,000 drug addicts in Hong Kong, 75% of whom are hooked on heroin, which they generally smoke – the process is called ‘chasing the dragon’ – rather than inject. Some female addicts finance their habit by working in the sex industry; others resort to pickpocketing, burglary and robbery.
Professional smugglers often target Westerners to carry particular goods into countries like Vietnam and India, where those goods are prohibited or the import taxes are high. The theory is that customs agents are less likely to stop and search foreigners. These small-time smuggling expeditions, or ‘milk runs’, either earn the Westerner a fee or a free air ticket to another destination. But smuggling is very, very risky.
Most foreigners who get into legal trouble in Hong Kong are involved in drugs. All forms of narcotics are illegal in Hong Kong. It makes no difference whether it’s heroin, opium, ‘ice’, ecstasy or marijuana – the law makes no distinction. If police or customs officials find dope or even smoking equipment in your possession, you can expect to be arrested immediately. If you do run into legal trouble, contact the Legal Aid Department ( 2537 7677; 24hr hotline).
Return to beginning of chapter
LIBRARIES
Hong Kong has an extensive public library system – some 66 libraries in total – and you can find the list at www.hkpl.gov.hk. The most useful for travellers is the City Hall Public Library ( Map; 2921 2555; 10am-7pm Mon-Thu, 10am-9pm Fri, 10am-5pm Sat, Sun & some public holidays), spread over eight floors of the High Block of City Hall, opposite Queen’s Pier in Central. With a passport and a deposit of $130 per item, foreign visitors can get a temporary library card (on the 3rd floor), which allows them to borrow up to six books and other materials from the library for 14 days at any one time.
In Causeway Bay the even larger Central Library ( Map; 3150 1234; 66 Causeway