Asia’s biggest startup conference RISE is heading to Hong Kong next week Friday and Saturday – but there are all kinds of things happening starting on Monday.
For those out-of-town visitors I threw together this list of things to keep in mind to survive the Summer in HK (if you are not from Singapore!)
Keep these tips nearby when you arrive in Hong Kong and you will be just fine – my fellow Hongkongers please leave your tips in the comments!
Keep hydrated – hey its the Summer!
Keep a small towel – because you will be sweating outside.
Keep a second t-shirt – because you will sweat through the first one very quickly.
Bring a jumper – its so hot outside and super cold inside because of air-conditioning you might catch a cold.
Get a SIM card – you can get a data/voice SIM card at the HK airport when you land for 5 days for only US$11.
WiFi – there is free wifi at Starbucks, McDonald’s and at the RISE venue and around the city but for $11 you wont have to keep asking “what’s the wifi password!”
Coffee shops – see our Foursquare list of startup-friendly coffee shops.
Get an octopus card – this can get you on our subway the MTR and buy stuff at 7-Eleven and McDonald’s. Put US$20 on it and you’ll be good to go – I think that’s how you buy it as well. Have money left over when you leave? Buy 100 McNuggets at the airport for the flight home.
Transportation – we have Uber and Uber Taxi but no Uber X or Uber Pool. MTR should get you where you need to go until midnight when it closes. Taxi’s are also everywhere.
Know your closest co-workspace – check them out here. The closest one to the RISE venue is The Hive which is fantastic but will probably be full so look for Paperclip, Garage Society, CoCoon and The Hive‘s other space around the core area where RISE is. Here is our Foursquare list – yes we love 4sq in Hong Kong.
We use the 3-prong plug: remember this for charging your gadgets.
Hours: everything is open pretty late so don’t worry about eating by 8pm. Apple store is open till 9pm overnight!
Food: HK has become a big foodie hotspot so use Foursquare app or Open Rice to find the best places – also join us for dinner with food startup Gourmei.
Follow the events calendar – new stuff is popping up all the time so stay tuned to the Rise site: www.riseconf.com
Twitter HK people to follow for updates on the street and where the cool stuff is:
- Me
- Gene Soo
- Atin Batra
- Catherine of Notey
- Mikaal of 8 Securities
- Simon of Nest
- Nick of Product Hunt HK <-- oh he's out of town next week but you can still follow him.
- Karen of WHub
- Naomi of Notey
Know these stores:
- Watsons (pharmacy)
- Mannings (pharmacy)
- Wellcome (supermarket)
- Park N Shop (supermarket)
- 7-Eleven (convenience store)
- Circle K (convenience store)
- Apple Store
Must see:
- The Peak – see all of HK from the top. Take a taxi if the tram has a long line.
- SoHo – all the hippest bars and clubs are in this area.
- TST Promenade – see HK from Kowloon side , very touristy but great view!
Tech nerds must visit:
If you want a photo like this take your GoPro to The Peak – find your own hot girls though:
Do not be alarmed if you see this fashion style on the streets, it is normal for Hong Kong during the Summer – if you want to try it out please take a photo of yourself and post on Twitter with hashtag #HKSummerFashionRocks
You want Dim Sum? You got it – the fanciest in HK and with a room full of startup founders:
