Hong Kong has one of the most beautiful skylines I have ever seen and if you get the opportunity I definitely recommend taking a boat ride along Victoria harbour. Cruise ships, junk boats, ferries, tankers and all types of water transportation can be seen crossing the waters day and night, while impressive landmarks line the harbour on both the Kowloon and Hong Kong island sides. Tours run at all times of the day, but the view is very pretty in the evening, when the buildings are illuminated in various colours. There’s even an impressive light show called the ‘A Symphony of Lights’- a nightly show which involves more than 40 buildings on both sides of the harbour. A 8pm, laser beams, coloured lights and search lights perform in a dazzling spectacle synchronised to music, celebrating the energy and spirit of Hong Kong.
I had the pleasure of taking a ride on the “Aqua Luna” junk boat with fellow travel blogger Julie from A Lady in London and it proved to be one of the highlights of my trip to Hong Kong. Owned by the aqua restaurant group, the Aqua Luna (in Cantonese the Cheung Po Tsai) is one of the last remaining red-sail Chinese junk boats and was built from scratch using traditional shipbuilding methods over a period of 18 months.
We boarded the boat at Central Pier at 18:45 for their evening harbour cruise which lasts 45 minutes in total, running between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. The boat itself is stunning with beautiful red sails and the atmosphere was very romantic, with relaxing music, a complimentary glass of wine and comfy seating. The upstairs has sofas for lounging, but we sat up front on the deck so we could soak up the incredible view of Hong Kong’s stunning skyline.
If you’re travelling to Hong Kong with a spouse, partner, boyfriend, girlfriend or even just your mates- the Aqua Luna is incredibly romantic and makes for an extra special experience.
To book an Aqua Luna ride you can visit http://www.aqua.com.hk/experience
My trip to Hong Kong was with the Hong Kong Tourism Board as part of their Perfect Day campaign.
Rates at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong start from £324 on a room only basis. For further information visit http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong. Virgin Atlantic flies daily to Hong Kong from London Heathrow. Economy fares start from £300.00 plus £381.26 tax. For more information visithttp://www.virgin-atlantic.com.
Hi Victoria – glad you like Hong Kong. I’ve lived there on and off quite a bit and also cool that you met Julie A Lady in London – I met her last month too, cool lady! Safe travels. Jonny
Oh yes! I’ve watched ‘A Symphony of Lights’ many times and I must say that the feeling is still the same – overwhelmed. Nightlife in Hong Kong won’t be completed if you’ll not get the chance to see the skyline and the buildings as if they’re all talking to one another. We rode in Aqua Luna like you do. After that, we went to the best HK night club.