Among the world’s most beautiful skylines with a backdrop of Victoria Peak.
Hong Kong has the tallest skyline in the world with two of the twenty tallest buildings in the world all in a small area around the bay.
The very cheap ride (25 US cents) on Star Ferry across the harbor is fun and is like a poignant mini-tour of Hong Kong. For kids with little experience on boats in the ocean, the ride on boats in the harbor is a thrill.
Wonderful and stunning views of the city and harbor area can be had in the observation decks of the tallest buildings and from Victoria Peak. During the Symphony of Lights most evenings, the view is beautiful and memorable.
symphony of light Night views of the Victoria Harbor.
The harbor is quite beautiful and is worth seeing in a tour of Hong Kong It is a strategic location and was an important part of the British Empire. Now it plays an important part in China’s foreign trade and for Hong Kong’s tourism.
Victoria Harbor features on our list of The Top 10 Attractions in China.
Touring Activities
Ride the Star Ferry: The ride costs almost nothing. The ferries pass back and forth about every 8 to 13 minutes and have two passenger levels. The view from the lower level is better. The ferry boats have an old European look.
Enjoy the Avenue of Stars and the Symphony of Lights. Walk around and take pictures.
See the harbor from the tall, artistically-built skyscrapers.
Shop at the Harbour City Mall. It’s Hong Kong’s biggest mall.
2015年2月27日 星期五
Hong Kong Tours – Hong Kong Victoria Harbor Scenic Vantage Points
Four places to go for a special view of the harbor are the ICC Tower, the Avenue of Stars, Central Plaza, and Victoria Peak.
The 108-story International Commerce Center with its observation deck overlooks the harbor from astounding heights. It was finished in 2011. Its Sky100 deck is a local tourist highlight.
avenue of starsThe Avenue of Stars
The Avenue of Stars is a special promenade with benches. Handprints of famous greats of the Hong Kong movie industry are inlaid. It fronts the harbor between the Star Ferry Terminal and the Hong Kong Museum of Art. It passes by the Hong Kong Cultural Center and the interesting egg-shaped dome of the Space Museum with a mockup of the front end of the Space Shuttle.
From the Avenue of Stars at dusk, you can watch the Symphony of Lights spectacle of the buildings lit up above the harbor in concert with the audio playing on the speakers behind you. No other city in the world is lit up in a concerted light and sound spectacle almost every night with lasers and skylights playing on the bottom of the clouds and colors reflecting off the wavy water.
Central Plaza is the third-tallest building in the city at 374 meters (1,227 feet) tall with 78 stories. The Hong Kong City Church meets at the top. It is known as the highest church in the world located inside a skyscraper. The chapel at the top of the building has glass walls on all sides and during services in the mornings, visitors can admire the view of both Victoria Peak and the ships passing below their feet accompanied by the great music for free.
Victoria Peak may be the most memorable place to view the harbor, especially after a half hour or hour walk through the city park above Mid-levels. If you are thirsty or hungry there is a big mall with restaurants, refreshment places and a Starbucks. The Peak Tram also goes up there, as do city buses.
The 108-story International Commerce Center with its observation deck overlooks the harbor from astounding heights. It was finished in 2011. Its Sky100 deck is a local tourist highlight.
avenue of starsThe Avenue of Stars
The Avenue of Stars is a special promenade with benches. Handprints of famous greats of the Hong Kong movie industry are inlaid. It fronts the harbor between the Star Ferry Terminal and the Hong Kong Museum of Art. It passes by the Hong Kong Cultural Center and the interesting egg-shaped dome of the Space Museum with a mockup of the front end of the Space Shuttle.
From the Avenue of Stars at dusk, you can watch the Symphony of Lights spectacle of the buildings lit up above the harbor in concert with the audio playing on the speakers behind you. No other city in the world is lit up in a concerted light and sound spectacle almost every night with lasers and skylights playing on the bottom of the clouds and colors reflecting off the wavy water.
Central Plaza is the third-tallest building in the city at 374 meters (1,227 feet) tall with 78 stories. The Hong Kong City Church meets at the top. It is known as the highest church in the world located inside a skyscraper. The chapel at the top of the building has glass walls on all sides and during services in the mornings, visitors can admire the view of both Victoria Peak and the ships passing below their feet accompanied by the great music for free.
Victoria Peak may be the most memorable place to view the harbor, especially after a half hour or hour walk through the city park above Mid-levels. If you are thirsty or hungry there is a big mall with restaurants, refreshment places and a Starbucks. The Peak Tram also goes up there, as do city buses.
Hong Kong Tours – Hong Kong Victoria Harbor Harbor Sectors
The natural harbor is quite big and long and is divided into three parts. The part most visitors see includes the area between Tsim Sha Tsui and Hong Kong Island.
The Star Ferry Terminal is located on the Tsim Sha Tsui side next to the promenade called the Avenue of Stars. Tall buildings are clustered around this part of the Harbor. The Star Ferry’s pier is only about a kilometer away from Hong Kong Island.
Two miles east of this area will be a US$14,000,000,000 cruise terminal and residential and shopping complex called the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. The first portion of this complex that is set to open in 2013 will accommodate the world’s largest cruise vessels.
To the west is a large, impressive, and busy container port. The Kwai Tsing Container Port is the world’s 3rd busiest container port and is in the northwestern part of the harbor. That is where much of the export wealth of Hong Kong is funneled through, and it is one of the most important ports for China.
The container port area is amazing to see if you haven’t seen big ports before. See it by riding the double-decker buses along West Kowloon Highway. You can see the view better from the upper deck of these buses.
The Star Ferry Terminal is located on the Tsim Sha Tsui side next to the promenade called the Avenue of Stars. Tall buildings are clustered around this part of the Harbor. The Star Ferry’s pier is only about a kilometer away from Hong Kong Island.
Two miles east of this area will be a US$14,000,000,000 cruise terminal and residential and shopping complex called the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. The first portion of this complex that is set to open in 2013 will accommodate the world’s largest cruise vessels.
To the west is a large, impressive, and busy container port. The Kwai Tsing Container Port is the world’s 3rd busiest container port and is in the northwestern part of the harbor. That is where much of the export wealth of Hong Kong is funneled through, and it is one of the most important ports for China.
The container port area is amazing to see if you haven’t seen big ports before. See it by riding the double-decker buses along West Kowloon Highway. You can see the view better from the upper deck of these buses.
Hong Kong Tours – Hong Kong Victoria Harbor History
History
The Treaty of Nanking between China and Britain in 1843 stipulated that Hong Kong was a part of the British Empire. Victoria Harbor gradually became a major port because it was close to Canton and along the major shipping lines between Japan and Singapore.
According to records, in 1844 only 538 ships docked there.
From these small beginnings, by 1931 over 42,000,000 tons of cargo was shipped through.
During the 1950s and the 1960s, Hong Kong flourished as a manufacturing center.
In the1970s, containerized shipping allowed much faster throughput of manufactured products.
Reclamation projects have changed the look of the harbor. Now there is a major reclamation and construction project going on in Central next to the ferry piers. Tourist attractions are planned for the new venue beside the IFC Towers.
Travel Essentials
Location: Between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.
MTR Trains: If you are coming from the airport, take the Airport Express MTR and get off at Hong Kong Station in Central. If you are coming from the border, you can get off at Tsim Sha Tsui station and enjoy the short walk through the crowded multicultural streets of Tsim Sha Tsui. During your walk you can maybe see faces from a hundred countries along the way.
Best Time to Visit: There is a lot of rain in the summer, but if there isn’t a storm, the weather is generally warm and pleasant. Hong Kong is still fairly warm and is drier in October and November. The Symphony of Lights starts at 8 pm if weather permits.
The Treaty of Nanking between China and Britain in 1843 stipulated that Hong Kong was a part of the British Empire. Victoria Harbor gradually became a major port because it was close to Canton and along the major shipping lines between Japan and Singapore.
According to records, in 1844 only 538 ships docked there.
From these small beginnings, by 1931 over 42,000,000 tons of cargo was shipped through.
During the 1950s and the 1960s, Hong Kong flourished as a manufacturing center.
In the1970s, containerized shipping allowed much faster throughput of manufactured products.
Reclamation projects have changed the look of the harbor. Now there is a major reclamation and construction project going on in Central next to the ferry piers. Tourist attractions are planned for the new venue beside the IFC Towers.
Travel Essentials
Location: Between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.
MTR Trains: If you are coming from the airport, take the Airport Express MTR and get off at Hong Kong Station in Central. If you are coming from the border, you can get off at Tsim Sha Tsui station and enjoy the short walk through the crowded multicultural streets of Tsim Sha Tsui. During your walk you can maybe see faces from a hundred countries along the way.
Best Time to Visit: There is a lot of rain in the summer, but if there isn’t a storm, the weather is generally warm and pleasant. Hong Kong is still fairly warm and is drier in October and November. The Symphony of Lights starts at 8 pm if weather permits.
Hong Kong Tours Highlight – Avenue of Stars
The Avenue of Stars is basically a sidewalk on the shore of Hong Kong’s Victoria Bay that is modeled after the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The sidewalk and pedestrian area has the handprints and signatures of famous Hong Kong actors such as Jackie Chan and metal sculptures of Hong Kong actors or film industry figures such as Bruce Lee. It stretches for about 440 meters along the shoreline, and there are benches and decorative plants. To keep people from falling into the ocean below, there is a metal handrail along the sidewalk. Some local people go there to enjoy the sight of the bay and the passing ships, jog, and enjoy the harbor air, and tourists go to see the light show at night and to take photographs. This sidewalk attracts a lot of mainland Chinese. You can see most of the tall buildings on Hong Kong Island here, and at night as part of the light show, music and dialogue are played.
The Avenue of the Stars is also a great place to see A Symphony of Lights, a spectacular light and laser show synchronized to music, staged every night at 8:00pm. This is the “world’s largest permanent light and sound show" as recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.
avenue of stars
ASymphony of Lights is put on at 8 PM for about 15 minutes when the weather is fair. The Avenue of the Stars is a good place to watch it, but it is best watched from a boat. Lasers, skylights, searchlights, LED effects and some fireworks are used for visual effects. Amplifiers add music and narration. About fifty of the big buildings on both sides of the harbor participate. The technology was developed by an Australian firm, and the show cost about 5 or 6 million USD to develop. The Guinness Book of World Records says that the Symphony of Lights is the world’s largest permanent light and sound show. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the narration is in English. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, it is in Mandarin. On Sunday, it is in Cantonese.
The Avenue of the Stars is also a great place to see A Symphony of Lights, a spectacular light and laser show synchronized to music, staged every night at 8:00pm. This is the “world’s largest permanent light and sound show" as recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.
avenue of stars
ASymphony of Lights is put on at 8 PM for about 15 minutes when the weather is fair. The Avenue of the Stars is a good place to watch it, but it is best watched from a boat. Lasers, skylights, searchlights, LED effects and some fireworks are used for visual effects. Amplifiers add music and narration. About fifty of the big buildings on both sides of the harbor participate. The technology was developed by an Australian firm, and the show cost about 5 or 6 million USD to develop. The Guinness Book of World Records says that the Symphony of Lights is the world’s largest permanent light and sound show. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the narration is in English. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, it is in Mandarin. On Sunday, it is in Cantonese.
Hong Kong Tours Highlight – Avenue of Stars Details and History
Detailed Descriptions
The Avenue of Stars’ main theme is the history and accomplishment of Hong Kong’s film industry. Tablets for about 70 movie celebrities are set in the sidewalk, and there are about 30 pairs of handprints. At the entrance to the avenue is a big metal statue of a woman and a small stage for performances and activities.
Location
The Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront area next to the Star Ferry Terminal and behind the Museum of Art, the Space Museum and the Hong Kong Cultural Center. The pedestrian area starts at Salisbury Garden that is a small public garden and ends at the Star Ferry docks.
History
In order to promote tourism and the large Hong Kong film industry that is influential in Asia, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and some branches of the Hong Kong government built this pedestrian area. The opening ceremony was held on April 27, 2004. The project cost about 5,000,000 USD. Actors, singers, directors and other stars put their handprints in cement, and these cement blocks are inlaid in the sidewalk.
Features
Sculptures, handprints and signatures of famous people in the Hong Kong film and music industry.
A big light, music, and fireworks show that starts at 8 pm every day when the weather is OK.
A pedestrian area for exercise and strolling. There are some benches.
A very good view of the harbor, the passing boats, and Hong Kong Island.
The major Hong Kong attractions of the Museum of Art, the Space Museum, and the Hong Kong Cultural Center are next to it.
The Avenue of Stars’ main theme is the history and accomplishment of Hong Kong’s film industry. Tablets for about 70 movie celebrities are set in the sidewalk, and there are about 30 pairs of handprints. At the entrance to the avenue is a big metal statue of a woman and a small stage for performances and activities.
Location
The Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront area next to the Star Ferry Terminal and behind the Museum of Art, the Space Museum and the Hong Kong Cultural Center. The pedestrian area starts at Salisbury Garden that is a small public garden and ends at the Star Ferry docks.
History
In order to promote tourism and the large Hong Kong film industry that is influential in Asia, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and some branches of the Hong Kong government built this pedestrian area. The opening ceremony was held on April 27, 2004. The project cost about 5,000,000 USD. Actors, singers, directors and other stars put their handprints in cement, and these cement blocks are inlaid in the sidewalk.
Features
Sculptures, handprints and signatures of famous people in the Hong Kong film and music industry.
A big light, music, and fireworks show that starts at 8 pm every day when the weather is OK.
A pedestrian area for exercise and strolling. There are some benches.
A very good view of the harbor, the passing boats, and Hong Kong Island.
The major Hong Kong attractions of the Museum of Art, the Space Museum, and the Hong Kong Cultural Center are next to it.
Hong Kong Tours Highlight – Avenue of Stars Touring Activities
Enjoying the fresher air and the sunshine on the bay.
Photographic opportunities with friends and family.
Exercise.
Watching the passing boats and admiring the skyline.
Visiting the SpaceMuseum and the Museumof Art. Admission to the museums is free on Wednesdays.
Visiting theKong Kong Cultural Center
Going to the Space Museum and catching an OMNIMAX style movie in their IMAX Theater. The standard ticket price is 3 USD or 4 USD depending on the seat.
Photographic opportunities with friends and family.
Exercise.
Watching the passing boats and admiring the skyline.
Visiting the SpaceMuseum and the Museumof Art. Admission to the museums is free on Wednesdays.
Visiting theKong Kong Cultural Center
Going to the Space Museum and catching an OMNIMAX style movie in their IMAX Theater. The standard ticket price is 3 USD or 4 USD depending on the seat.
Hong Kong Tours Highlight – Victoria Peak
Victoria Peak has about 7 million visitors a year. It is the highest peak on Hong Kong Island withan altitude of 554 meters (1818 feet) and has been considered as a landmark of the island.
It is the best spot to have a bird’s eye view of the Victoria Harbor and the whole thrivingisland. Viewed from the peak, the scenes are different between day and night.
During the day, you can see high and crowded buildings and the busy Victoria Harbor. At night, lit up by colorful lights, the whole scene is dazzling like a fairly-tale world. The best spot to enjoy the scene is the Peak Tower and the Lion Kiosk beside the Peak Tram terminal.
victoria peak
To reach Victoria Peak, you can take the Peak Tram. It was put into service in 1888. Itssteepest point has an angle of 27 degree which definitely can give you an unforgettableexperience.
It is the best spot to have a bird’s eye view of the Victoria Harbor and the whole thrivingisland. Viewed from the peak, the scenes are different between day and night.
During the day, you can see high and crowded buildings and the busy Victoria Harbor. At night, lit up by colorful lights, the whole scene is dazzling like a fairly-tale world. The best spot to enjoy the scene is the Peak Tower and the Lion Kiosk beside the Peak Tram terminal.
victoria peak
To reach Victoria Peak, you can take the Peak Tram. It was put into service in 1888. Itssteepest point has an angle of 27 degree which definitely can give you an unforgettableexperience.
Hong Kong Tours Highlight – Victoria Peak The Peak Tram
The Peak Tram is very popular with tourists who want to see Victoria Peak or get a bird’s eye view of the city. It carries about 11,000 or 12,000 people a day or 4 million passengers a year up to the top of the peak. It was first built in 1888, and it feels antique.
It is quickest and most scenic way to climb the peak. As you travel the 1.4 kilometers, you can relax as you see the sights below. You can see a lot of Hong Kong Island, Victoria Harbor and Kowloon.
Peak Tram Travel Essentials
Fares: Adults 28 HKD one way (3.60 USD), 40 HKD return; children and seniors 11 HKD one way, 18 HKD return.
Hours:7 am to midnight.
Time needed:5 minutes transport + about 20 minutes to 2 hours waiting in line. Lines are longest on Sundays and holidays in the late morning and lunch hours during good weather. To avoid the ticket lines use an Octopus card or buy a ticket in advance.
Transport to lower terminus: From Central MTR station, Exit J or K and follow the signs (12 minute walk). From the Admiralty MTR station, Exit C1 and follow the signs (12 minute walk). From the Star Ferry in Central, take Bus 15C from the bus lot in front.
Distance:1.4 kilometers.
Elevation:from 28 meters to 396 meters altitude (368 meters up).
It is quickest and most scenic way to climb the peak. As you travel the 1.4 kilometers, you can relax as you see the sights below. You can see a lot of Hong Kong Island, Victoria Harbor and Kowloon.
Peak Tram Travel Essentials
Fares: Adults 28 HKD one way (3.60 USD), 40 HKD return; children and seniors 11 HKD one way, 18 HKD return.
Hours:7 am to midnight.
Time needed:5 minutes transport + about 20 minutes to 2 hours waiting in line. Lines are longest on Sundays and holidays in the late morning and lunch hours during good weather. To avoid the ticket lines use an Octopus card or buy a ticket in advance.
Transport to lower terminus: From Central MTR station, Exit J or K and follow the signs (12 minute walk). From the Admiralty MTR station, Exit C1 and follow the signs (12 minute walk). From the Star Ferry in Central, take Bus 15C from the bus lot in front.
Distance:1.4 kilometers.
Elevation:from 28 meters to 396 meters altitude (368 meters up).
Hong Kong Tours Highlight – Victoria Peak The Peak Tower
At the summit, visitors arrive at the Peak Tower, the city’s most unusual building and icon. The unique “wok" shaped tower sits at an elevation of 396 metres. Viewing terraces located on different levels of the tower offer spectacular views of the Hong Kong and Kowloon skylines, including Victoria Harbour.
The Peak Tower also puts visitors in touch with Hong Kong’s lesser known, but equally breathtaking natural side. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll along one of the nature trails starting from The Peak Tower and relax among the lush green vegetation while enjoying a 360-degree view of Hong Kong.
In level 2 of the Peak Tower is Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. There you can get up close and personal with your favourite stars: such as soccer David Beckham, action king Jackie Chan, actor/singer Andy Lau, etc. You and your kids will see about 100 wax figures of celebrities that look exactly like the real person.
Also Read: How to plan a family tour of Hong Kong?
How to Get to the Peak?
The most enjoyable and spectacular way to reach The Victoria Peak is to take a ride on the Peak Tram. The Victoria Peak Tram runs every day, including Sundays and public holidays, between 7:00 am and 12:00 midnight.
Shuttle buses operate between the Central Star Ferry Pier and The Victoria Peak Tram Terminus at Garden Road.
You can reach the terminus on foot from MTR Central Station J2 exit.
The Peak Tower also puts visitors in touch with Hong Kong’s lesser known, but equally breathtaking natural side. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll along one of the nature trails starting from The Peak Tower and relax among the lush green vegetation while enjoying a 360-degree view of Hong Kong.
In level 2 of the Peak Tower is Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. There you can get up close and personal with your favourite stars: such as soccer David Beckham, action king Jackie Chan, actor/singer Andy Lau, etc. You and your kids will see about 100 wax figures of celebrities that look exactly like the real person.
Also Read: How to plan a family tour of Hong Kong?
How to Get to the Peak?
The most enjoyable and spectacular way to reach The Victoria Peak is to take a ride on the Peak Tram. The Victoria Peak Tram runs every day, including Sundays and public holidays, between 7:00 am and 12:00 midnight.
Shuttle buses operate between the Central Star Ferry Pier and The Victoria Peak Tram Terminus at Garden Road.
You can reach the terminus on foot from MTR Central Station J2 exit.
Hong Kong Tours Highlight – Happy Valley Racecourse
Feature
One of the two popular horse racing facilities in Hong Kong.
Designed for entertainment, government support, and charity. Most of the profits are collected by the government for revenue, and the rest is donated to charities.
Tickets and betting is inexpensive.
It is designed for fun for the average visitor.
Managed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Close to Hong Kong’s Central District.
Has the Hong Kong Jockey Club Archive and Museum.
Overview
Horse racing is a popular legal activity in Hong Kong, and the Happy Valley Racecourse is managed by a non-profit charitable organization that aims to provide entertainment and social activity. As many as 40,000 people go on Wednesday nights during the racing season that extends from September to early July. Though it is less modern and lower-scale than Hong Kong’s world-class Shatin Racecourse, it is apparently more fun. The residential hi-rise buildings are lit up with dazzling color for a background for the event. There are some restaurants and bars where people can have meals and get snacks, and beer is relatively cheap. To attract the crowds, entrance ticket prices are only 10 HKD or about 1.50 USD, and the minimum bet is 10 HKD. The arena has sophisticated computerized betting, and races are shown live on a gigantic screen.
Night racing was introduced at Happy Valley in 1973. Now, the Hong Kong Jockey Club uses the racecourse for races on several Wednesday evenings a month from September to early July. There aren’t races every Wednesday evening during the racing season. The Group 1 world-class races that involve the world’s fastest horses are held on Saturdays or Sundays in Shatin.
One of the two popular horse racing facilities in Hong Kong.
Designed for entertainment, government support, and charity. Most of the profits are collected by the government for revenue, and the rest is donated to charities.
Tickets and betting is inexpensive.
It is designed for fun for the average visitor.
Managed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Close to Hong Kong’s Central District.
Has the Hong Kong Jockey Club Archive and Museum.
Overview
Horse racing is a popular legal activity in Hong Kong, and the Happy Valley Racecourse is managed by a non-profit charitable organization that aims to provide entertainment and social activity. As many as 40,000 people go on Wednesday nights during the racing season that extends from September to early July. Though it is less modern and lower-scale than Hong Kong’s world-class Shatin Racecourse, it is apparently more fun. The residential hi-rise buildings are lit up with dazzling color for a background for the event. There are some restaurants and bars where people can have meals and get snacks, and beer is relatively cheap. To attract the crowds, entrance ticket prices are only 10 HKD or about 1.50 USD, and the minimum bet is 10 HKD. The arena has sophisticated computerized betting, and races are shown live on a gigantic screen.
Night racing was introduced at Happy Valley in 1973. Now, the Hong Kong Jockey Club uses the racecourse for races on several Wednesday evenings a month from September to early July. There aren’t races every Wednesday evening during the racing season. The Group 1 world-class races that involve the world’s fastest horses are held on Saturdays or Sundays in Shatin.
Hong Kong Tours Highlight – Happy Valley Racecourse History
History
Happy Valley Racecourse was built on reclaimed marshland that was formerly used for farms and cemeteries. Many people in the area died from malaria, and they were buried in the cemeteries in the valley. At that time, a “happy valley" was a euphemism for a graveyard. British military officers built the first course 150 years ago, and the first races were held on December 17th and 18th of 1846. To build the track, the area was drained, and the farmers were prohibited from growing rice there. It wasn’t known that mosquitoes spread malaria, but draining the valley and developing the area helped to make the area habitable for Europeans. In 1884, the Hong Kong Jockey Club was founded as a non-profit body to organize the social and entertainment activities and the gambling of Hong Kong’s ruling class.
In 1978, the Hong Kong Jockey Club built the more modern Shatin Racecouse, and the best horses and jockeys now race there. Residential skyscrapers were built on two sides of the Happy Valley arena, and residents can watch the races from their apartments. In 1996, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Archive and Museum was opened. It now has four galleries that instruct about the early days of horse racing in Hong Kong, the history of the Shatin Racecourse, the skeletal structure of horses, and the history of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and its sponsored charities and public works.
Happy Valley Racecourse was built on reclaimed marshland that was formerly used for farms and cemeteries. Many people in the area died from malaria, and they were buried in the cemeteries in the valley. At that time, a “happy valley" was a euphemism for a graveyard. British military officers built the first course 150 years ago, and the first races were held on December 17th and 18th of 1846. To build the track, the area was drained, and the farmers were prohibited from growing rice there. It wasn’t known that mosquitoes spread malaria, but draining the valley and developing the area helped to make the area habitable for Europeans. In 1884, the Hong Kong Jockey Club was founded as a non-profit body to organize the social and entertainment activities and the gambling of Hong Kong’s ruling class.
In 1978, the Hong Kong Jockey Club built the more modern Shatin Racecouse, and the best horses and jockeys now race there. Residential skyscrapers were built on two sides of the Happy Valley arena, and residents can watch the races from their apartments. In 1996, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Archive and Museum was opened. It now has four galleries that instruct about the early days of horse racing in Hong Kong, the history of the Shatin Racecourse, the skeletal structure of horses, and the history of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and its sponsored charities and public works.
Hong Kong Tours Highlight – Happy Valley Racecourse Touring Activities
Touring Activities
Watch the races and the activities.
Bet. The minimum bet is 10 HKD.
Eat. You can get snacks and drinks.
Go to the museum. It is on the second floor of the Happy Valley stands. There are four galleries in the museum.
The museum has a cinema and a souvenir shop where you can purchase souvenirs.
Supporting the Hong Kong government and charities.
Watch the races and the activities.
Bet. The minimum bet is 10 HKD.
Eat. You can get snacks and drinks.
Go to the museum. It is on the second floor of the Happy Valley stands. There are four galleries in the museum.
The museum has a cinema and a souvenir shop where you can purchase souvenirs.
Supporting the Hong Kong government and charities.
Hong Kong Tours Highlight – Happy Valley Racecourse Travel
Location
2 Sports Road. Happy Valley Racecourse is right next to Hong Kong’s Central District. It is only about two kilometers away from City Hall in a direct line and is in the valley between Victoria Peak and Mount Parker.
How to go there
MTR (subway): The MTR Causeway Bay Station is nearby. Use Exit A. You can walk or take minibuses from the station.
Tram: Taking the Happy Valley Tram would probably be the funnest and quickest way to get there. The scenic ride costs only two HKD (about 25 US cents). Get on the tram marked “Happy Valley".
Bus: Happy Valley has two bus terminals. A number of bus routes service the area. If you cross the bay on the Star Ferry, you can get a bus at the Central ferry terminal. The ferry ride itself is worth the time and the approximately 2 HKD ticket price to see the city and enjoy the boat ride.
Hours
The races are held several Wednesday evenings a month during the racing season that extends from September to July. The schedule changes each year, so check the schedule. The races begin about 7:30 in the evening. Athletic events are also held in the racing arena.
Dinner
Though restaurants and snacks are available, if you want to enjoy a good dinner before or after the event, it might be best to go to a restaurant outside the arena. The nearby town of Aberdeen on the southern side of Hong Kong Island is known for its restaurants and the quality of the seafood. The big floating restaurants on ships are especially famous, and you may have seen them in movies.
2 Sports Road. Happy Valley Racecourse is right next to Hong Kong’s Central District. It is only about two kilometers away from City Hall in a direct line and is in the valley between Victoria Peak and Mount Parker.
How to go there
MTR (subway): The MTR Causeway Bay Station is nearby. Use Exit A. You can walk or take minibuses from the station.
Tram: Taking the Happy Valley Tram would probably be the funnest and quickest way to get there. The scenic ride costs only two HKD (about 25 US cents). Get on the tram marked “Happy Valley".
Bus: Happy Valley has two bus terminals. A number of bus routes service the area. If you cross the bay on the Star Ferry, you can get a bus at the Central ferry terminal. The ferry ride itself is worth the time and the approximately 2 HKD ticket price to see the city and enjoy the boat ride.
Hours
The races are held several Wednesday evenings a month during the racing season that extends from September to July. The schedule changes each year, so check the schedule. The races begin about 7:30 in the evening. Athletic events are also held in the racing arena.
Dinner
Though restaurants and snacks are available, if you want to enjoy a good dinner before or after the event, it might be best to go to a restaurant outside the arena. The nearby town of Aberdeen on the southern side of Hong Kong Island is known for its restaurants and the quality of the seafood. The big floating restaurants on ships are especially famous, and you may have seen them in movies.
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