Victoria Harbour

Hong Kong, China Travel Guide

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Victoria Harbour

Overview: Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong’s center, is located between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. There are a few ways to take in the Victoria Harbor. One way is to take the Star Ferry which runs between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Another spectacular way to take in the harbor and most of the surrounding area is looking down from Victoria Peak’s tower, which is at the summit of Hong Kong Island. Taking the Star Ferry, you glide and bump along the waters of the harbor for 5 minutes or so. The Peak offers an steady, aerial view and a much broader perspective much like seeing Shanghai from the Oriental Pearl TV Tower.

The Star Ferry has a few routes. The route from Tsim Sha Tsui to Wan Chai is easiest and most accessible in terms of ramps at the docks. The route from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central presented a challenge – rather, Central to Tsim Sha Tsui – is difficult because the ramp to the docking station was hard to find and the staff was no where to be found.

Victoria Harbour boardwalk or waterfront on the side of Kowloon Peninsula offers many museums, a gorgeous harbor view of the buildings, vendors and just a nice stroll. Along the boardwalk, you’ll see Hong Kong’s Avenue of he Stars, where a statue of the dragon, Bruce Lee, resides, and of course, celebrity hand prints like Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. On the Hong Kong Island side, there is a carnival with a huge ferris wheel. From Victoria Peak at night time, the harbor dazzles with its flickering, orange lights running on both sides of the border. At 8pm each night, make your way to the boardwalk in Tsim Sha Tsui to take in the Symphony of Lights show at the harbor. The show has five themes starting with rays of light beaming from Hong Kong’s skyscrapers. It’s magnificent!

Cost: The cost for the Star Ferry is 5 HKD

Accessibility: For me, as an agile person in a wheelchair, the Star Ferry does not present any problems. For a person in a motorized wheelchair, the ferry may. You have the option, then, of going up to Victoria Peak or strolling along the boardwalk.

Getting There: If you’re staying in the Tsim Sha Tsui area, it’s an easy walk/wheel. If you’re staying farther north, take a bus south on Nathan Road.