Considered one of the world’s great harbours, Victoria Harbour is the breathtaking backdrop between two of Asia’s most iconic skylines. This huge body of water has been one of the most important seaports in the world for centuries and today cultural precincts, traditional restaurants and shopping strips line its shores.
Victoria Harbour is part of a natural bay and divides Hong Kong’s central business district from the culturally diverse entertainment precincts that inhabit the Kowloon Peninsula. The bay’s deep waters were central to the city’s growth as a British colony as it became a major trade centre for spice ships travelling to and from Europe. Today you can still gaze along the channel of the bay to see container ships and cruise liners lining up as far as the eye can see.
Visit the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade at the southern tip of the Kowloon Peninsula for the most impressive views of the harbour. Stay in one of the many hotels in the area to wake up to the vista each day. Here you’ll also find fine-dining restaurants, luxury shopping centres and some of Hong Kong’s most popular museums, such as the space and art museums. Rise early to join the locals in a morning jog to see people practising tai chi on the edge of the harbour. Stop by the Avenue of the Stars to take a photo with a life size model of kung fu movie star, Bruce Lee.
Cross the harbour on the Star Ferry for a scenic journey. The ferry is one of Hong Kong’s most popular attractions and doubles as a great form of transport. Morning and evening trips can be booked and offer panoramic views of Stonecutters Island, the Hong Kong Bank and the Tsing Ma Bridge from the centre of the harbour.
Ferries and boat cruises leave from the Star Ferry pier on the Kowloon peninsula and Central Pier No. 7, and the Wan Chai Ferry Pier on Hong Kong Island.
