Seven must-do experiences on one of the world’s greatest harbours

With its historic ferries, dazzling viewpoints and award-winning dining spots, Hong Kong’s harbour sets the stage in this pulsating Asian city. Here are seven highlights.

Ride the tram to the highest peak on Hong Kong Island

Victoria Peak, or Tai Ping Shan as it’s known to locals, is both a lofty viewpoint and test of character. Many hike their way above Hong Kong’s skyscraper forest for those iconic views over the glittering harbour, but the air-conditioned, glass-roofed, historic Peak Tram is a much less intimidating option. The electric funicular railway opened in 1888 as the first in Asia and was originally steam powered. See thepeak.com.hk

Hop on the Star Ferry to Kowloon

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Notice the old-school navy sailor uniforms worn by deckhands and crew as you board the wooden Star Ferry to Kowloon. In operation since 1880, the now fourth-generation green-and-white vessels are the blood and bones of Victoria Harbour, and depart regularly from both piers at Tsim Sha Tsui and Central. The wooden bench seats on board have a centuries-old swinging backrest design that allows passengers to choose which way they face. See starferry.com.hk

Pose with Bruce Lee on the Avenue of the Stars

Everybody was kung fu fighting at the 2.5-metre bronze statue of Bruce Lee on Hong Kong’s Avenue Of The Stars. This 400-metre waterfront promenade along Victoria Harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui is an homage to Hong Kong’s film industry, and offers expansive views of the skyline on Hong Kong Island. While Bruce Lee attracts most of the martial arts-aspiring tourists, the more than 100 celebrity handprints include those of other well-known Chinese stars such as Jet Li and Jackie Chan.

See ancient treasures in the West Kowloon Cultural District

Housing both the modern art M+ Gallery and Hong Kong Palace Museum, this cultural district in Kowloon comprises 40 hectares of public open space and museums displaying modern and ancient Chinese art. On display at the Hong Kong Palace Museum are more than 900 pieces on loan from the Palace Museum in Beijing’s Forbidden City, including ornate musical clocks, sets of seals, traditional board games and 13th century porcelain. See hkpm.org.hk

Eat Michelin-starred dim sum at Lung King Heen

Not only did this venue’s baked pineapple bun with barbecued pork and pine nuts propel this venue to Michelin-star status (currently two), its dining room is front row to the action on Victoria Harbour. Four Seasons Hong Kong’s flagship restaurant was the first Chinese restaurant in the world to earn three Michelin stars back in 2009. It offers weekday and weekend dim sum, tasting menus and elevated Cantonese a la carte options, such as marinated pork knuckle in sand ginger sauce. See
fourseasons.com

Watch the city twinkle from Tsim Sha Tsui

The neon skyline over Victoria Harbour is impressive from most angles, but especially so at night from Tsim Sha Tsui during an electrical storm. Ride the elevator 18 floors up to hip northern Chinese restaurant Hutong in Kowloon to watch lightning and thunder turn Hong Kong Island and its surrounding peaks into a cinematic masterpiece. The limelight is only briefly stolen by the signature Peking duck, which is set on fire and spun around like a tornado by a chef directly at the table. See hutong.com.hk

Ride a junk boat at sunset in Victoria Harbour

No icon is more symbolic of Hong Kong’s roots as a fishing village than the traditional Chinese wooden junk boats with red sails bobbing around its deep-water harbour. This is one of the last remaining places where you can set sail on the authentic vessels. The 70-year Dukling junk boat offers tours around the harbour, while replica AquaLuna runs nightly sunset cruises that include drinks and outdoor lounge areas. See dukling.com.hk; aqualuna.com.hk

The writer travelled with the assistance of Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Jenny Hewett is a Sydney-based freelance travel writer who has lived in South-East Asia and the Middle East, and loves nothing more than being among nature and wildlife.