Hong Kong China Cruise Port Guide

Location:

Most cruises now use the The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, a new cruise terminal that has been built at the location of the former runway of the airport in Hong Kong. The runway was known for its low-level approach over apartment buildings. The terminal can simultaneously process two large vessels of the Oasis of The Seas model. These are currently the largest cruise ships in the world; with a length of 360 meters and the capacity to transport over 6000 passengers.

Closed in 1998, the airport’s main runway extends 10,000 feet into Victoria Harbor, creating a natural pier. Hong Kong officials retained renowned British architect Norman Foster to design the terminal, which has a dramatically long profile. A ferry operating from the tip of the Kai Tak pier cut transit time to Hong Kong island’s Central district in half.

On ship call days, there are free shuttle buses for debarking cruise passengers and crew to nearby MTR stations adjoining shopping malls. During turn calls, additional paid shuttle service is typically available both from the cruise line (e.g. to airport) and from the terminal operator (e.g. to Kowloon Airport Express and Tsim Sha Tsui area hotels, and/or Hung Hom Station).

Some smaller ships dock at China Fisherman's Wharf in Kennedy Town. Public transportation is excellent.

Hotels near the Cruise Terminal

Printable map to take along.

Cruise calendar for Kai tak.

Cruise calendar for Ocean Terminal.

Check here for festivals and events in Hong Kong when you are in port.

Watch a destination video.

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers of Ocean Terminal and Port Location on Google Maps

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers of Kai Tak and Port Location on Google Maps

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers of China Fisherman's Wharf and Port Location on Google Maps

Monthly Climate Averages for Hong-Kong

Sightseeing:

Hong Kong, the Oriental Pearl, is simply amazing!

It is a city which you can easy discover yourself, after some (internet)-reading and preparation.

It would be hard to find a more exciting city than Hong Kong. Set among beautiful natural surroundings it has all the benefits of a thriving and vibrant commercial center. Here you can find the delights of modern living alongside an abundance of reminders of its historic past. Whether you visit the better known highlights like the stunning Ocean Park, the fantastic viewpoint of Victoria Peak or the beautiful Repulse Bay , Hong Kong is certain to exceed your expectations.

Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of PRC, has grown from what was a simple fishing village into the world's fourth largest banking and financial center and eighth largest trading economy. Situated in the southeast corner of China, Hong Kong occupies an area of 1,104 square kilometers (about 426 square miles) and is home to more than 6,970,000 people. Most people (about 97% of the population) are Chinese and speak Cantonese and English, although Mandarin is becoming more popular in Hong Kong now. Most tourism personnel and taxi drivers can communicate with tourists in English. The most common religions are Buddhism and Christianity.

Hong Kong is made up of four parts: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands. Hong Kong Island is the center of economy, politics, entertainment and shopping. Northern Hong Kong Island is the main commercial, shopping and entertainment area; the residential area is located in Eastern Hong Kong Island; and Southern Hong Kong Island known for its sea shores and bays. Kowloon is another flourishing part of Hong Kong. Above all, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai , Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok are the most popular areas. These areas are busy day and night, and tourists can feel secure enjoying the lively nightlife, because Hong Kong is one of the most secure cities in the world. The New Territories and Outlying Islands are ideal places to experience a peaceful and natural Hong Kong.

An open city with a wonderful natural harbor, Hong Kong is the meeting place of various cultures that blend harmoniously with Chinese traditions and exotic influences. On one hand traces of British culture can be found everywhere as a result of former colonial rule. On the other hand, Hong Kong preserves traditional customs and the core values of Confucianism that have faded in Mainland China. This is reflected in its colorful festivals ranging from Spring Festival to Christmas. Nowhere else on earth do luxury restaurants, street side food-stalls known locally as dai pai dong, grand mansions and penthouses, tenements, office blocks, wooden boats and huge liners coupled with English in a variety of accents and multifarious Chinese dialects coexist peacefully.

It is the dynamic Hong Kong that provides the environment in which the richest Chinese listed in Forbes directory do business. The city also is the backdrop for modern movies and pop music that together enjoy worldwide recognition. Home of Kongfu heroes like the late Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, Hong Kong continues to attract more and more ambitious would-be stars and entrepreneurs.

From Yum Cha (tea and dim sum) in the morning to a moon lit view from the top of Victoria Peak or stunning night time harbor cruise, mingling with shoppers in the numerous malls and markets around Tsim Sha Tsui , tasting delicacies at dai pai dong, taking a trip in a sampan or high speed ferry, Hong Kong will guarantee its visitors an unforgettable experience. There will always be something to enchant you and quite probably make you fall in love with this unique place, be it sightseeing, shopping, dining or simply exploring its many delights by day and night.

Tours Excursions Transportation:

Hong Kong's Transportation system is superb, there is almost no reason to take a taxi.

Hop on/off Bus. Three sightseeing routes are operating daily, which are Hong Kong Island (Red Route), Kowloon (Blue Route), and Stanley (Green Route).

Most city parts are very walkable, streets on different levels often connected by escalators.

A nice trip by public transport: Under the IFC2 building[Hongkong] is a busterminal: take bus 6 that will ride OVER the hills to Repulse Bay and Stanley market. The ride and view are magnificent.(Don’t take 6X that will ride in a tunnel). Take from Stanley market: bus 973 through Aberdeen to Jordan station[Kowloon]: 14 HK$. Do always pay the exact amount as the buses don’t give change.

It pays to compare your cruise line shore excursions here.

Nearby Places:

Take a potluck ferry to one of the 234 islands and enjoy!

Ngong Ping 360 comprises the 5.7 km Ngong Ping Sky rail , a 25-minute cable car ride which offers a spectacular view of the beautiful landscape of Lantau Island, and the cultural and religious themed Ngong Ping Village.

Shopping and Food

Every large tourist town has at least one or more shopping malls for westerners. Often the only place one can buy larger clothing sizes. Although these malls are fun, please be aware that almost everything is fake and that the bargaining is hard. The quickest way often is to show with bills in your hand, how much you are willing to pay and than walk on. If they than gesture you back finalize the deal. Always stay courteous.

Restaurants are often found in clusters in certain parts of the city, recognizable by very colorful decorations to attract customers. Stroll by and look for restaurants that are patronized by chinese families themselves. Most menu's have pictures of the items served. Seafood in general is kept alive in large tanks. Eating out in China is a feast, with very little etiquette, and in general rather noisy. Enjoy the fun! Only drink bottled water even use that if you have to brush your teeth. Use common precautions when eating out.

Kowloon is a delight. You can haggle, and haggling is expected, in the myriad of streets full of small stores operated not only by Chinese, but by Indians and Arabs. Touts trying to entice you to buy cheap suits or fake watches.

Currency:

Hong Kong is compared to China more expensive, but still very reasonably priced.

The Hong Kong Dollar which is the counterpart of the Yuan (or Renminbi RMB).

Tip: Change Hong Kong dollars and the Yuan back before leaving the country.

Currency Converter

Communication:

Hong Kong is still very British: English (stiff upper lip and all) widely spoken, left hand traffic, even London cabs!

Internet is very well adapted in China and Hong Kong, in fact even the more modest hotels have almost all WiFi in their rooms and in the public areas you will find Internet stations. Often for free or at a very modest charge. Even Hong Kong Airport offers free WiFi.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal,

The Hong Kong Government GovWiFi scheme provides free wireless internet access via over 2000 hotspots at 400 locations throughout public spaces in the city including public libraries, cultural and recreational centers, museums and large parks. Tourist locations with hotspots include Peak Road Garden, The Peak, Kowloon Park, Repulse Bay Beach, Hong Kong Cultural center Piazza/Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Hong Kong Park, Hong Kong Zoological & Botanical Gardens, Statue Square, Stanley Waterfront Mart/Promenade, Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal and China Ferry Terminals. Connect to the unencrypted "freegovwifi" connection

Emergency number China: 110
Hong Kong and Macao: 999

Opening Hours and Holidays:

There seem not set opening hours for stores, it seems as long as there are customers they stay open.

Chinese New Year (about two weeks long) is the time when all the Chinese are traveling and transportation can be very hectic.

Holidays in China

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