Victoria Harbour: O, the Harbor

Hong Kong has a unique and gorgeous cityscape that simply can’t find elsewhere.

A wide and bustle natural wide harbor, embraced by overwhelming skyscrapers and steep green hills as a back canvas. I don’t think you could find this cityscape anywhere else in the world (Tell me if there is any). There are lots of concrete jungles in the world but Hong Kong is at its best – or worst. Hong Kong is a Hilly city – over 70% of its terrain isn’t flat, therefore, the 7-million residents have to live in a compact space, it’s common to see 40-story high apartment buildings line up along the narrow strip by the coast. We all know about the Victoria peak – the well-recognized “million dollar view” of the harbor, looks stunning and breathtaking day or night. But my favorite way of seeing the spectacular cityscape is to go back in time, and from the below.

Another unique feature of Hong Kong is that – surprisingly (or not?) the city center is actually NOT connected in any way by foot. In other words, if someone takes all your money you are no legal way in hell to go to the Kowloon side of the Hong Kong Island (or the other way round) without begging or calling for police. Therefore public transportation connecting both sides of the harbor is literally vital for the locals to commute. One historic and iconic method is to take the Star Ferry – connecting the Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon to either Central pier or Wan Chai on the Hong Kong Island. Although it is still commonly used by the locals, the star ferry is now more like a tourist attraction, where you would be conveniently transported from one side to the other in 10-15 mins, and if you are lucky, would see the Victoria Harbour up close and personal on a sunny day.

Tip: Take the ferry during sunset time and sit on the “west side” (The right side if you are from Kowloon to Hong Kong) in the outdoor area of the Star Ferry. There – you will spot a sunset between two skyscrapers that you don’t want to miss.

A suggestion would start your date on the Kowloon side, walk along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, visit the avenue of stars, Cultural Centre and the busy Nathan Road – then hop on the Star ferry during sunset to the Central Pier. There you could take a bus (or change to peak tram) and to the top of Victoria Peak and enjoy the night view and an amazing dinner.

Tip: Take the ferry during sunset time and sit on the “west side” (The right side if you are from Kowloon to Hong Kong) in the outdoor area of the Star Ferry. There – you will spot a sunset between two skyscrapers that you don’t want to miss.