Strange Hong Kong laws still in use
Any visitors to Hong Kong will want to learn about what they can and can’t do during their time here. As a former British colony until fairly recently, Hong Kong still has many British aspects as part of its culture, which can still be seen in its legal framework. Acuma Hong Kong understands that no one came to this article for common laws however, it’s the stranger ones that are of interest. Don’t worry, you’re not exactly likely to be caught up in any, but there’s a chance they may be asked as a Hong Kong trivia question at your next pub quiz!
So without further ado, here is Acuma Hong Kong’s top 5 strangest laws still in use.
No swearing at animals in Ocean Park
The theme park has a document containing 16 pages that lays out what visitors can and can’t do! In one of the regulations, it states that using obscene language, shouting, or causing a nuisance to a fellow visitor or any animal is banned in the park. Anyone found doing so could be asked to leave! Quite why anyone would want to swear at a Panda is anyone’s guess, but Ocean Park has made it a forbidden act.
Picking flowers
Acuma Hong Kong can only guess that too many parks have been vandalised over the course of the years for this law. The Forests and Countryside Ordinance has applied the rule that no “bud, blossom or leaf” can be legally picked by a person when they are on government land. It even goes one further too, explaining that cattle and goat trespassing is also illegal!
Rock carvings
Everyone has done it before, carving their name into a stone/wall/rock/bench etc. However, in Hong Kong, a law is in place to stop any kind of slogan or symbol being carved into rocks or roads in a bid to prevent graffiti.
Having an intimidating dog
There is a strict limitation on dogs yapping and barking at others, with a $500 fine or even 3 months in prison being potential punishments if offences continue. The law in particular states “neighbours and passersby” as the people that your dog cannot “bark or otherwise” at. Therefore, Acuma Hong Hong warns you to be careful about keeping your pet on a lead the next time you go for a walk, otherwise it could prove to be costly!
Loud selling
That’s right, if you’re ever in a Hong Kong market and a seller is shouting too loudly at you to buy their product, it is an illegal offence. The law states that to “utter cries for the purpose of buying or selling any article whatsoever” is against the law and can incur a fine. The fine is just $50 though, so Acuma Hong Kong doubts that this would ever seriously put any vendor off from promoting their services.
Do you need help with planning your investments? Acuma Hong Kong’s team of financial advisers will be able to point you in the right direction to help you achieve your financial goals. Check out our Investment Planning page for more information.
Any visitors to Hong Kong will want to learn about what they can and can’t do during their time here. As a former British colony until fairly recently, Hong Kong still has many British aspects as part of its culture, which can still be seen in its legal framework. Acuma Hong Kong understands that no one came to this article for common laws however, it’s the stranger ones that are of interest. Don’t worry, you’re not exactly likely to be caught up in any, but there’s a chance they may be asked as a Hong Kong trivia question at your next pub quiz!
So without further ado, here is Acuma Hong Kong’s top 5 strangest laws still in use.
No swearing at animals in Ocean Park
The theme park has a document containing 16 pages that lays out what visitors can and can’t do! In one of the regulations, it states that using obscene language, shouting, or causing a nuisance to a fellow visitor or any animal is banned in the park. Anyone found doing so could be asked to leave! Quite why anyone would want to swear at a Panda is anyone’s guess, but Ocean Park has made it a forbidden act.
Picking flowers
Acuma Hong Kong can only guess that too many parks have been vandalised over the course of the years for this law. The Forests and Countryside Ordinance has applied the rule that no “bud, blossom or leaf” can be legally picked by a person when they are on government land. It even goes one further too, explaining that cattle and goat trespassing is also illegal!
Rock carvings
Everyone has done it before, carving their name into a stone/wall/rock/bench etc. However, in Hong Kong, a law is in place to stop any kind of slogan or symbol being carved into rocks or roads in a bid to prevent graffiti.
Having an intimidating dog
There is a strict limitation on dogs yapping and barking at others, with a $500 fine or even 3 months in prison being potential punishments if offences continue. The law in particular states “neighbours and passersby” as the people that your dog cannot “bark or otherwise” at. Therefore, Acuma Hong Hong warns you to be careful about keeping your pet on a lead the next time you go for a walk, otherwise it could prove to be costly!
Loud selling
That’s right, if you’re ever in a Hong Kong market and a seller is shouting too loudly at you to buy their product, it is an illegal offence. The law states that to “utter cries for the purpose of buying or selling any article whatsoever” is against the law and can incur a fine. The fine is just $50 though, so Acuma Hong Kong doubts that this would ever seriously put any vendor off from promoting their services.
Do you need help with planning your investments? Acuma Hong Kong’s team of financial advisers will be able to point you in the right direction to help you achieve your financial goals. Check out our Investment Planning page for more information.