Star Ferry in Hong Kong: A Historic Ride

A Bargain Trip Across the Harbor between HK Island and Kowloon

Nov 22, 2009 Valery Garrett

Can there be a better bargain anywhere than a HK$2.30 (US$0.30) ride on the renowned Star Ferry crossing the world famous harbor from Hong Kong to Kowloon?

As the gates clang shut, feet thunder down the gangway, a whistle blows, the Star Ferry makes another journey just as it has for over a hundred years. Operating from 6.30am to 11.30pm between Central Pier and Tsim Sha Tsui, the fleet of twelve vessels, with their green and white hulls, take thousands of commuters and visitors everyday on an eight minute journey between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

Star Ferry in Hong Kong, How it All Began

Before the Star Ferry began there was little to visit across on Kowloon, and those who needed to hired a sampan. But in 1870, Grant Smith brought a twin-screw wooden-hulled boat from England and ran it at irregular intervals. Smith sold his boat in 1888 to Parsee merchant Dorabjee Nowrojee, who later acquired two steam vessels Morning Star and Evening Star, the names inspired by his love of Tennyson’s poem, ‘Crossing the Bar’.This form of transport was so popular he owned four vessels within 10 years. The service ran at intervals of 40–60 minutes and each boat held 100 passengers. Today all names still end with Star.

In 1898 the Hong Kong and Kowloon Wharf Godown Company bought Nowrojee out and turned the business into the "Star Ferry Co Ltd". They built double-ended steel vessels with first class on the upper decks and second and third class on the lower deck. The Star Ferry continued to be the main means of transport between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon side until the opening of the Cross Harbor Tunnel in 1972. Even after the opening of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) thousands of commuters still use it everyday and the service is held in high regard.

Star Ferry and the Clock Tower at Edinburgh Place

In 1957 four-berth piers were built on both sides of Victoria Harbour, designed to handle 55 million passenger trips a year. A big white clock tower was built at the terminus at Edinburgh Place on the island. The bells, which rang on the quarter hour, were cast by the London bell founders Mears and Stainbank and the clock donated by Jardines, a major employer in Hong Kong.

So it felt like the end of an era when the Edinburgh Place pier was decommissioned on November 11, 2006. Reclamation on the Island caused a new pier to be built, in Edwardian style, further into the harbour to replace the existing one. Protesters tried to save the old clock tower with sit-ins and hunger strikes, something unusual for Hong Kong and a show of great public affection for the institution.

Star Ferry is a Photographer's Delight

But the Star Ferry keeps on enchanting visitors and locals, and photographers especially will enjoy the ride at any time. During the day, the backdrop of mountains towering over the city on Hong Kong island is awe-inspiring while the new buildings springing up on Kowloon are spectacular. But the evening is most magical when the Symphony of Lights begins at 8pm and buildings along the waterfront are illuminated in a show of lights. And all for just a few cents.

The copyright of the article Star Ferry in Hong Kong: A Historic Ride in S Asia/China Travel is owned by Valery Garrett. Permission to republish Star Ferry in Hong Kong: A Historic Ride in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Symphony of Lights on the Waterfront	Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong	Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront
Star Ferry Pier