HomeAsiaEast AsiaHong KongStarferry Ride: Tsim Sha Tsui to Central Hong Kong By Marcos Detourist on December 31, 2009It’s day 2 of our Hong Kong and Macau Tour, we planned to visit many of Hong Kong’s top tourist spots. First up was the classic Star Ferry Ride across Victoria Harbor from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central in Hong Kong Island.Tsim Sha Tsui to Central Hong KongWe woke up and ate breakfast late that morning, around 9am, after our tiring first day. As usual, we stocked up on food in the 7/11 store near our hotel (Wing Sing Hotel). From Wing Sing Hotel, we rode the MTR from Yau Ma Tei Station to Tsim Sha Tsui Station and passed out of Exit L4. From there, we walked to the Star Ferry Pier – Tsim Sha Tsui Terminal.The fare for the Star Ferry ride is HK$2.30. We took the seats on the upper deck. When we boarded the boat, there were only a few passengers, which was great since I had planned to take pictures from both sides of the boat. I was so ecstatic that time seeing Hong Kong’s famous buildings for the first time like the 2IFC, Hong Kong Opera Building, HSBC tower, Lippo Center, Bank of China etc… that I only used to see in pictures.2 International Finance Center (2IFC), formerly, the tallest building in Hong KongStar Ferry Ride Hong KongThe Star Ferry ride is one my top recommended “to do” in Hong Kong. Not only was it dirt cheap (as a tourist attraction) but it’s one of the best experiences I had on the whole trip.Fred Gebhart, a freelance travel writer, remarked that the “Star” Ferry is the perfect introduction to the controlled frenzy that is Hong Kong. If only we had the Star Ferry Ride as our first agenda after arriving in Hong Kong, it would have been perfect. I can just imagine my enthralled self aboard the Star Ferry amidst the serene, timeless Victoria Harbor and catching a first glimpse of the uber modern skyscrapers of Central Hong Kong. Central Hong Kong Skyline with Bank of China TowerHSBC Tower, a skyscraper reknowned for its ability to be dismantled and then assembled on demand.Bank of China Tower, first skyscraper above 300m outside the US Hong Kong Opera HouseInternational Commerce Center (underconstruction ), Hong Kong’s Tallest Building.2IFC with Star Ferry Central Pier / Terminal Star Ferry Central PierRiding the Star Ferry is best during Sunrise, Sunset, or the nightly Symphony of Lights. We originally planned on making a quick visit to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) Museum at the 55th floor of the 2IFC.I read that it’s the highest floor inside the 2IFC that is open to the public, they have a glass window where you can see the view outside. There is no admission fee, you only need to request a visitor’s pass when you enter the building.Since we woke up late, we had to skip it and could go to our next destination, the Victoria Peak Tram.Don’t leave yet. There’s more!Symphony of Lights Show in Tsim Sha Tsui Hong KongHong Kong & Macau DIY in 3 days - My First Trip Abroad3 Days Hong Kong and Macau Itinerary - DIY Travel TipsVictoria Peak, Hong Kong: The Peak Tram, Tower, and Madame…Hong Kong and Macau Travel on a BudgetWing Sing Hotel and Hong Kong MTR Airport ExpressComments ljamorin saysJanuary 2, 2010 at 1:12 pmnice pics… did you take up photography lessons or did you just study photography on your own? chymera00 saysJanuary 5, 2010 at 5:14 pmThanks. I learned on my own. There are a lot of blogs and books/ebook that offer great photography advice Pinoy TraveLuxe saysJuly 27, 2011 at 3:56 amWhen did you go to Hong Kong? It seemed that you pictures are cloudy. Still nice shots, though. Marcos saysAugust 3, 2011 at 8:47 amWe went there in October. It was raining on and off during our visit :( Liz saysNovember 9, 2011 at 10:42 amHello:) thank you for gracing us you experience thru your blog:) its very informatice. Im going to HK this dec and planning to ride the Star Ferry but you mentioned that the fare is HK$2.30, checking the link, A Symphony of Lights Harbour Cruise is HK$160? are they diff? Marcos saysNovember 11, 2011 at 7:24 pmYes they are different. The StarFerry ride we went on is just a regular crossing commute from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central … whereas the cruise will go around the bay for a longer period of time. Posting of new comments is disabled temporarily.Connect with Marcos on:Detourista.comMarcosDetourist.comFacebookInstagramTwitterDetourista.comDiscover more travel guides and blogs about the Philippines and beyond by Marcos DetouristChoose your next destination: Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
ljamorin saysJanuary 2, 2010 at 1:12 pmnice pics… did you take up photography lessons or did you just study photography on your own?
chymera00 saysJanuary 5, 2010 at 5:14 pmThanks. I learned on my own. There are a lot of blogs and books/ebook that offer great photography advice
Pinoy TraveLuxe saysJuly 27, 2011 at 3:56 amWhen did you go to Hong Kong? It seemed that you pictures are cloudy. Still nice shots, though.
Marcos saysAugust 3, 2011 at 8:47 amWe went there in October. It was raining on and off during our visit :(
Liz saysNovember 9, 2011 at 10:42 amHello:) thank you for gracing us you experience thru your blog:) its very informatice. Im going to HK this dec and planning to ride the Star Ferry but you mentioned that the fare is HK$2.30, checking the link, A Symphony of Lights Harbour Cruise is HK$160? are they diff?
Marcos saysNovember 11, 2011 at 7:24 pmYes they are different. The StarFerry ride we went on is just a regular crossing commute from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central … whereas the cruise will go around the bay for a longer period of time.