You’ve’ not fully experience Hong Kong until you have taken a ride on the iconic Star Ferry, the cross harbor fleet of electric-diesel vessels with names charming names like Morning Star and Twinkling Star . The journey length has been reduced over the years due to reclamation but board one anyway. Buy a ticket for the upper deck, the lower one will leave you smelling of diesel fumes, and watch shipping vessels of all kinds sail by while taking in panoramic views of the Hong Kong Island coastline.
Whatever time of day, the journey, with its spellbinding views of dazzling skyscrapers and hills, makes the ferry ride one of the best-value cruises you’ll ever find. Once the ferry reaches the pier at the end of the 10-minute journey, a heavy hemp rope is cast and caught with a billhook, exactly the same way it was done in 1888, when the first ferries docked.
The best views are from the Kowloon to central ferry ride, it’s not half as great in the opposite direction. If you’re lucky enough to be staying one of the Wan Chai Hotels, Hong Kong, such as the Cosmo Hotel Wan Chai Hong Kong, then make sure to catch a ferry just before 8pm from Wan Chai pier. These boats stop in the middle of the harbor for a few minutes to allow tourist to take pictures of the Symphony of Lights show, an unforgettable light show with lasers, fireworks from 44 waterfront buildings on both Hong Kong and Kowloon islands.
The Star Ferry also runs a special 60-minute Harbour Tour which covers calling points at Tsim Sha Tsui, Central and Wan Chai piers. Tickets for the tours can be purchased at any of the piers.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
