You haven’t been to Hong Kong if you haven’t been to Victoria Harbour! The harbour is the top one tourist attraction in Hong Kong. While you take a stroll along the Victoria Harbour promenade you can enjoy spectacular views of Hong Kong’s skyline. You can admire such iconic buildings as the Bank of China, HSBC Building, the Convention Center or the IFC Two Tower. There are many options to let you enjoy Victoria Harbour.

Day View of Victoria Harbour

Day View of Victoria Harbour

• Enjoy Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront
• Enjoy Victoria Harbour from Central Waterfront
• Enjoy Victoria Harbour from Wan Chai Waterfront
• Enjoy Victoria Harbour from Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck
• Enjoy Victoria Harbour from Victoria Peak
• Enjoy Victoria Harbour from Hong Kong Rooftop Bars

Night view from Victoria Harbor

Night View of Victoria Harbour

Victoria Harbour was originally called “Hong Kong Harbour”. After China was defeated by Great Britain in the First and Second Opium War, Hong Kong became a colony of Britain and Victoria Harbour was named after the British Queen Victoria. Victoria Harbour’s unique geographical and strategic location played a significant role in Hong Kong’s history and future developments. Situated between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula, Victoria Harbour provided shelter and enough depths for big trading vessels, containerships and cruise ships and became one of the busiest ports of the world. Relax after a busy shopping or sightseeing day, sit down and take your time to enjoy the view. Let your eyes follow all different types of boats, ships, cruise ships and vessels while they move up Victoria Harbor similar like busy bees.

A Symphony of Lights

Victoria Harbor is a popular gathering place for tourists as well as for locals. Especially, at night you should not miss “A Symphony of Lights”. Awarded by the Guinness Book of Records as the “World largest permanent light and sound show”, you should not miss out at this daily night show. The stunning light and laser show features more than 40 different buildings and skyscrapers on both sides of the harbor and I promise you: it will take your breath away while you watch and enjoy the lights synchronizing with the beautiful composed music.

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A Symphony of Lights

A Symphony of Lights

Victoria Harbour Views from TST Waterfront [Go Back]

Basically you can enjoy Victoria Harbour either along Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade, Wan Chai waterfront promenade as well as from Central Piers. But majority of visitors agrees that the views from Kowloon side in TST are more magnificent. Many sightseeing attractions such as Clock Tower, Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong Space Museum and shopping malls are in close distance and can be reached within a few minute walk.

TST Star Ferry Terminal

Located conveniently between the Harbour City Shopping Mall, the Clock Tower and the observation deck you will find the Star Ferry Tsim Sha Tsui Terminal. The Star Ferry is another iconic Hong Kong highlight you should not miss the opportunity to take a ride on it. You can take Star Ferry from here to either Wan Chai or Central opposite the Victoria Harbour.

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TST Star Ferry Terminal

TST Star Ferry Terminal

Clock Tower

When you stand next to the Star Ferry Pier in TST, you may easily notice the historic and iconic “Clock Tower”, which was a part of the former Kowloon-Canton Railway Terminus.Next to the Clock Tower is the Observation Platform which an excellent place to relax after a busy shopping or sightseeing day as well as enjoy the “A Symphony of Lights” show.

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Clock Tower

Clock Tower

Observation Platform in TST

Observation Platform in TST

Observation Platform in TST

Observation Platform in TST

Taking a scroll along the Victoria Harbour promenade you can enjoy spectacular views of the impressive Hong Kong Island’s skyline. Famous and iconic buildings such as the Bank of China which looks a little bit like a samurai sword, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (HKCEC) which reminds visitors a little bit at the Sydney Opera, the HSBC Building or the futuristic and one of the tallest buildings in Hong Kong the IFC Two Tower (where Batman jumped down in the movie The Dark Knight) can be admired. On clear days you can even spot the iconic shaped Peak Tower on The Peak.

Night View of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center

Night View of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center

Avenue of Stars

Passing some artists drawing the pictures or booths to take photos for tourists, you will come to the famous Avenue of Stars. Along the Avenue of Stars you have some great photo opportunities. Statues of Bruce Lee, the torch of the 2008 Olympic Games as well as the iconic statute of the HKIFF are popular photo spots. Last but not least, the Intercontinental Hotel is located along the Avenue of Stars and movie fans will find a Jackie Chan merchandise store.

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Artists Drawing Pictures for Tourists in TST

Artists Drawing Pictures for Tourists in TST

Avenue of Stars

Avenue of Stars

Harbour Tours

If you are interested to spend some more time on the water, you can consider enjoying a Harbour Tour on the Victoria Harbour. You are able to enjoy Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong’s stunning skyline from a different perspective.

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Aqua Luna Harbour Tour

Aqua Luna Harbour Tour

Should you have enough of the stunning views you can also choose from the following attractions around Victoria Harbour on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong:

Hong Kong Cultural Centre: Adjacent to the Tsim Sha Tsui Bus Terminus and right behind the Clock Tower you will find the Hong Kong Cultural Centre which houses several important and famous cultural events throughout the year (ranging from Cantonese Opera performances to the Hong Kong International Film Festivals (HKIFF)). When you walk along the waterfront promenade you will notice a piazza right in front of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre which often is used for events (e.g. Chinese New Year Shows or special events such as to remember Leslie Cheung).

Piazza outside Hong Kong Cultural Center

Piazza outside Hong Kong Cultural Center

Hong Kong Museum of Art and Hong Kong Space Museum: Just opposite the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and its Piazza you will find one of Hong Kong’s most attractive museums the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Literally one step away you also have the option to visit the Hong Kong Space Museum.

Hong Kong Space Museum

Hong Kong Space Museum

Peninsula Hotel and Felix Bar: When you are standing at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza you already can see the famous and iconic Peninsula Hotel. Even if you don’t want to take an afternoon tea-time in this legendary hotel you should have a look inside and feel the history of this building. If you come in the evening hours you can consider having a drink or two in the stylish Felix Bar. The Sheraton Hotel and the YMCA are also nearby.

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Felix Bar of Peninsula Hotel

Felix Bar of Peninsula Hotel

Shopping Malls: Shopping lovers will scream of joy that one of Hong Kong’s biggest shopping malls (Harbour City Shopping Mall) is just a few steps away and others are in close vicinity (1881 Heritage, Silvercord, iSquare, etc.). In addition, you are able to find many Flagship Stores of famous international luxury brands along Canton Road and many other brand stores in the parallel roads such as Addidas and Esprit.

The Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade is also a popular viewing point for special events that take place in Victoria Harbour including the impressive firework shows at New Year, Chinese Lunar New Year and Chinese National Day. Last but not least, this place is also famous and popular to watch, enjoy and admire the beautiful Christmas decorations on Hong Kong’s stunning skyline (Christmas lights and decoration are usually installed around end of October – beginning of November).

Victoria Harbour Views from Hong Kong Island

Central [Go Back]

The stunning views as well as the hustle and bustle of Victoria Harbour can also be enjoyed from Hong Kong Island. One popular place is just around the Central Pier. There are several benches inside and outside the Star Ferry Pier building where you can sit down, watch the Star Ferries arriving and leaving from the Star Ferry Central Pier and simply relax.

Central Pier

Central Pier

Central Pier

Central Pier

By looking at Victoria Harbour from the Hong Kong Island side you will get a total different feeling and experience of Victoria Harbour. On the left side you easily can spot Hong Kong’s highest skyscraper the International Commerce Center (ICC) with its Sky100 Observation Deck and the DHL Hong Kong Balloon right in front of it. Next to it you can see the cruise ship piers, Star Ferry Tsim Sha Tsui Terminal, Harbour City Shopping Mall, the iconic Clock Tower as well as the Hong Kong Cultural Center and the famous Peninsula Hotel. Aside the ICC, K-11 buildings, Peking One and on clear days Langham Place in Mongkok you will notice the abundance of high skyscraper buildings on the Kowloon side. You might wonder and ask why this is the case. The explanation for this phenomenon is actually quite simple and some of you may be still remember the old Kai Tak Airport. Due to the airplanes and the vicinity to the airport, houses had limitations and been restricted in height. Since the Kai Tak Airport is gone, it is only a question of time when you will see new skyscrapers rising on the Kowloon side.

View of Victoria Harbour from Central Pier

View of Victoria Harbour from Central Pier

Next to the Central Pier, you can easily identify the iconic IFC 2 Tower (which I always refer to as the building from where Batman jumped down in Batman Dark Knight Movie) and the IFC Shopping Mall. Central Pier is also an important point where you start your other journeys in Hong Kong.

Central Pier and IFC Tower

Central Pier and IFC Tower

Other routes started from Central Pier:

1.) Ferry from Central to Mui Wo (Central Pier No.6) – To Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car and Big Buddha;

2.) Ferry from Central to Lamma Island (Central Pier No.4);

3.) Ferry from Central to Cheung Chau (Central Pier No.5) – To join the Hong Kong traditional Bun Festival;

4.) Central Pier No. 9 – Pickup points for most of the Victoria Harbour Tours and Cruises (e.g. DUK LING, Aqua Luna, etc.);

5.) Bus No. 15C (opposite Central Pier) – To the Garden Road Peak Tram Lower Terminus and then you can get to the Peak by Peak Tram;

Wan Chai [Go Back]

Enjoying Victoria Harbour from Wan Chai is another lesser known option since it involves some walking either from the Star Ferry Wan Chai Pier or from the Wan Chai MTR station. Views are similar to the ones in Central and I guess that’s one of the reasons why many visitors don’t bother to travel here, especially if time is limited.

Wan Chai Waterfront Promenade

Wan Chai Waterfront Promenade

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center

However, among Chinese Nationals Wan Chai is very popular mainly due to the fact that the handover ceremony took place here. The Golden Bauhinia Statute commemorates this historic moment and is a very popular photo taking spot. Right behind the Golden Bauhinia Statute is the iconic Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (HKCIC). In case you visit one of Hong Kong’s many fairs and exhibition you should take some time and find a way out of the HKCIC to enjoy the beautiful views of Victoria Harbour.

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Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center

If you like to enjoy the view of Victoria Harbour, you can consider walking along the harbour waterfront between Wan Chai to Central. It take approx. 20-30 minutes on foot. But you will have great chances to take pictures of either the views of harbours or the skyscrapers along the streets.

Other Options of Enjoying Victoria Harbour

Besides all these waterfront promenades, we recommend some other great options of enjoying Victoria Harbour : from Sky 100 Hong Kong Observation, from the Peak and from Hong Kong Rooftop Bars.

Sky 100 Hong Kong Observation [Go Back]

Sky 100 Hong Kong Observation is on the 100th floor of landmark building “International Commence Center’s”, from where you have enjoy a astonishing 360-degree views of Victoria Harbour. It is the highest indoor observation deck in Hong Kong.

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View of Victoria Harbour from Sky100 Observation Deck

View of Victoria Harbour from Sky100 Observation Deck

Victoria Peak [Go Back]

Victoria Peak is one of the most popular sightseeing attractions in Hong Kong and it is the highest point in Hong Kong Island. On the peak you can consider to climb up to the highest outdoor observation deck in Hong Kong: the Sky Terrace 428 of Peak Tower.

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View of Victoria Harbour from the Peak

View of Victoria Harbour from the Peak

Hong Kong Rooftop Bars [Go Back]

Many Hong Kong Rooftop Bars provide the guests not only great food and beverages, but also stunning views of either Victoria Harbour and skyscrapers. No matter it is Ozone Bar in Ritz Carlton Hotel, Aqua Bar in One Peking or Sky Lounge in Sheraton Hotel, you all can enjoy a great time with the spectacular views of Hong Kong.

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Night View of Victoria Harbour from Aqua Bar

Night View of Victoria Harbour from Aqua Bar

How to Get to Enjoy Victoria Harbour:

To Tsim Sha TSui waterfront promenade: Either take the MTR or East Railline to East Tsim Sha Tsui or Tsim Sha Tsui station, or take the ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier.

To Golden Bauhinia Square: Either take the MTR subway to Wan Chai station, or take the ferry to Wan Chai Star Ferry Pier.

To Central Pier: Either take the MTR subway to central station, or take the ferry to Central Star Ferry Pier.

More Top Attractions in Hong Kong

Map and Locations of Victoria Harbour-related attractions

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