{"id":5322,"date":"2020-01-09T03:34:36","date_gmt":"2020-01-09T03:34:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.littleadventuresinhongkong.com\/?p=5322"},"modified":"2020-01-11T00:09:59","modified_gmt":"2020-01-11T00:09:59","slug":"beyond-the-star-ferry-hong-kongs-five-best-hidden-ferry-rides","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.littleadventuresinhongkong.com\/beyond-the-star-ferry-hong-kongs-five-best-hidden-ferry-rides\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond the Star Ferry: Hong Kong\u2019s Five Best “Hidden” Ferry Rides\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Most visitors to Hong Kong know about the Star Ferry. The regular boat service across Hong Kong\u2019s Victoria Harbor, operated since 1888, has\u00a0 been lauded by National Geographic Traveler as one of the 50 top travel experiences of a lifetime. For only about 30 cents US (2.70 HKD), you can hop on one of these magnificent wooden vessels, most built in the 1950s, and experience stunning views while enjoying a true bit of history–at least for ten minutes, which is how long it takes to get from Hong Kong island to Kowloon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Of course we love the Star Ferry. But as we settled into Hong Kong we discovered it is far from Hong Kong\u2019s only ferry service! With 240 islands, the city of Hong Kong is almost a mini-archipelago, and boats are as important here as cars, busses and trains–probably more so. Even before the British came, vessels of all sizes provided the main form of transport in this region.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In order to keep all the inhabited islands connected with the main urban areas of Hong Kong (and often, to keep islands connected with each other), the Hong Kong government subsidizes dozens of ferry routes throughout the city. Some are long and infrequent, others are short and sweet (did you know there was an \u201calternative\u201d Star Ferry crossing between Wanchai and Kowloon?). Whether you live in Hong Kong or are just passing through, a ride on one of these \u201chidden\u201d ferry routes is a terrific way to experience a slice the real Hong Kong. Bonus: the most expensive ride on any of these ferries will set you back less than USD $2.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Here are some of our favorite routes:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1. The Inter Islands Ferry.<\/h2>\n

The \u201cMing River\u201d a hulking old orange and white boat that has an upper and lower outside deck, and shuttles an endless loop between a few of Hong Kong\u2019s outlying islands. It begins at tiny Peng Chau, where fishermen often board with buckets of catch, and makes stops at Mui Wo town on Lantau Island, at the Chi Ma Wan abandoned prison, and finally on Cheung Chau island, where it turns around and begins again. The regulars on the two hour roundtrip route include everyone from salt-of-the-earth working people commuting between their island jobs, to expat hikers hitting the trail in Lantau. The route of this vessel takes you through some of the most untouched open ocean and island scenery you\u2019ll see in Hong Kong, a dreamy landscape of hills, water and shadows of tall mountains.<\/p>\n

Inter Islands Ferry Schedule http:\/\/www.nwff.com.hk\/route\/get_route.php?id=2e2c0154-902a-4c11-9405-f7743f6e6d2e&route_id=0&submenu_num=3<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_empty_space]