VICTORIA HARBOUR

Description

Essentials about Victoria Harbour in brief

Victoria Harbour is the vibrant heart of Hong Kong. The natural harbor separates Hong Kong Island in the south from the Kowloon Peninsula in the north. The harbor was named Victoria Harbour by the British after Hong Kong became a British colony in 1843. The depth of the harbor basin as well as the width of the waterways together with its strategically favorable location in the South China Sea were decisive for Great Britain to make Hong Kong a crown colony. Early on, the British recognized the potential of the harbor. Victoria Harbour became the main base of British maritime trade in East Asia and provided the decisive impetus for the development of Hong Kong into one of the most important economic centers in the world. To this day, the port of Hong Kong is one of the largest and busiest in the world.

The views from Victoria Harbour

But above all, the view of the skyline on both shores from the harbor makes Victoria Harbour one of the main attractions of Hong Kong. A trip with a ferry of the Star Ferry across the harbor from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon (or vice versa) is a fixed part of every visit program of Hong Kong. Especially after dark, the panoramic nighttime view of the illuminated skyline of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon is one of the most impressive urban vistas in the world. If you want to see more of Victoria Harbour, you should definitely take a boat ride through the harbor. And those with the wherewithal can even view the harbor from the air on a helicopter tour.

The views on Victoria Harbour

For a view of Victoria Harbour, one is spoiled for choice between a variety of viewpoints. Along the shore, these are primarily the Avenue of Stars at the southern tip of Kowloon as well as the Golden Bauhinia Square and the Star Ferry Pier on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island. Of course, the best overall view of the harbor is from higher points. These include Victoria Peak and Peak Tower on Hong Kong Island side and the Sky100 observation deck on the Kowloon side.

Shows and events at Victoria Harbour

As the natural center of the entire city area, many public events and shows are held along the harbor, including the annual fireworks on the second night of the Chinese New Year. To further enhance the port’s tourist appeal, the spectacle “A Symphony of Lights” has been held every evening since 2004. This is a light and laser show with musical accompaniment in which more than 40 skyscrapers along the harbor are staged. Rating: Absolutely worth seeing.