Victoria Harbour 维多利亚港Wéiduōlìyà Gǎng

Why go to Victoria Harbour

Victoria Harbour separates Hong Kong Island from the Kowloon peninsula, its shores packed with skyscrapers backed by steep, green hills. Cross on the Star Ferry, then stroll the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront after dark for A Symphony of Lights; for the view down from above, see Victoria Peak.

The story

The Star Ferry has been shuttling across the harbour since the late 19th century, and its green-and-white boats still carry commuters as well as visitors. Each night the skyscrapers on both shores join A Symphony of Lights, a light and sound show best seen from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront.

What to see at Victoria Harbour

• Star Ferry 天星小轮: The green-and-white ferries link Tsim Sha Tsui with Central and Wan Chai and make a short crossing with the skyline on both sides.
• Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade 尖沙咀海滨长廊: A waterfront walk on the Kowloon shore, running past the Clock Tower and the Cultural Centre, with the Hong Kong Island skyline across the water.
• Avenue of Stars 星光大道: A waterfront tribute to Hong Kong's film industry with handprints and statues, pleasant around sunset.
• A Symphony of Lights 幻彩咏香江: A daily light and sound show in which the skyscrapers on both shores join in, best watched from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront; arrive early for a good spot.

How to visit Victoria Harbour

Start in Central, take the Star Ferry across to Tsim Sha Tsui in the late afternoon and walk the promenade and the Avenue of Stars as the light changes. Stay for the Symphony of Lights after dark, and return by ferry or the MTR. With less time, one ferry crossing and a short promenade walk takes about an hour.

How to get to Victoria Harbour

High-speed trains from Shenzhen and Guangzhou arrive at West Kowloon station, a short MTR or taxi ride from Tsim Sha Tsui. Hong Kong has its own immigration rules and currency (the Hong Kong dollar), separate from the mainland, so check entry requirements and carry your passport.

Where to stay

Tsim Sha Tsui on the Kowloon side gives harbour views and the promenade at your door, while Central and Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island put you by the Star Ferry piers and the waterfront.

What to eat

• Egg waffles 鸡蛋仔: A hot, honeycomb-shaped street snack of eggy batter, crisp outside and soft inside, sold from stalls and shops around Tsim Sha Tsui.
• Hong Kong-style milk tea 港式奶茶: Strong black tea with evaporated milk, served in the cha chaan teng cafes in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, a short walk from the ferry piers.

Tips for visiting Victoria Harbour

• Crossing into Hong Kong counts as leaving the mainland; if you plan to go back, make sure your visa or visa-free eligibility allows another entry.
• Take the Star Ferry at dusk for skyline views at a fraction of the cost of a harbour cruise.
• For the view down over the harbour, ride up to Victoria Peak on a clear day; haze can hide the skyline, so check the weather first.

Nearby

• Victoria Peak 太平山顶 under 10 km
  Ride the 1888 funicular to the skyline view, then walk the Lugard Road loop
• Tian Tan Buddha & Ngong Ping 天坛大佛与昂坪 30 km
  A giant bronze Buddha on Lantau, reached by a 25-minute cable car ride
• Historic Centre of Macau 澳门历史城区 60 km
  Portuguese tiled squares, baroque churches and Chinese temples, a short walk apart

Also within 30 km: Hong Kong Water Taxi 香港水上的士 (under 10 km), Aqua Luna 张保仔号 (under 10 km), Clock Tower, Tsim Sha Tsui 尖沙咀钟楼 (under 10 km), Hong Kong Museum of Art 香港艺术馆 (under 10 km), Hong Kong Space Museum 香港太空馆 (under 10 km), Salisbury Garden 梳士巴利花园 (under 10 km).

Trips with Victoria Harbour

• Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou in five days 5 days · Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou

On the map

Open Victoria Harbour on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.

Learn more

• Wikipedia
• Wikipedia (Chinese)