Hong Kong's Brand New Travel Route—MTR East Rail Line, So Much Fun!
Too bored staying home on the weekend?
Set off now for a trendy seaside tour of Hong Kong, take a spontaneous trip, and say goodbye to all your worries!
To go to Hong Kong, whether you cross the border at Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau, it's equally convenient to start your journey on the MTR East Rail Line!
The East Rail Line has now been extended to Hong Kong Island. After crossing the border, the journey from Lo Wu Station to Admiralty Station takes only 44 minutes; from Lok Ma Chau Station to Admiralty Station takes just 50 minutes, with no transfers needed—one train takes you directly across the harbour.
By the way, Admiralty Station has transformed into a super interchange station, where you can transfer to the East Rail Line, Island Line, South Island Line, and Tsuen Wan Line!
Now you can also use mobile payment codes on the MTR; just use the purple gates to enter—no need to queue to buy tickets, super convenient! Alipay, WeChat Pay, or UnionPay Cloud Flash Pay have even launched limited-time ride offers. Activate your MTR mobile payment code now to enjoy the perks, making touring Hong Kong easy and hassle-free!
Without further ado, here are the must-visit seaside photo spots.
01. First Stop on the Hong Kong Island Seaside Trendy Tour: Exhibition Centre Station
Arriving in the morning, the first recommended photo spot is the Wan Chai Promenade, just a 5-minute walk from Exhibition Centre Station Exit B. The Ferry Pier Themed Area features a simple concrete style, with Wan Chai-themed photo frames perfect for snapping pictures.
A little further on, you'll see the colorful Water Sports and Recreation Themed Area, themed around local renowned illustrator Miss Meiyoudan's 'Chocolate Rain', filled with adorable and artistic vibes.
The shoreline here features a railing-free 'Coastal Steps', allowing you to sit directly and get close to the waterfront. You can also pedal a swan boat along the Victoria Harbour shore, enjoying the sea breeze and the beautiful harbour view.
Second Stop on the Hong Kong Island Seaside Trendy Tour: Fortress Hill East Coast Park Precinct
Take the Island Line from Admiralty Station to Fortress Hill Station, then walk about 7 minutes from Exit A. East Coast Park is one of Hong Kong's hottest recent attractions, full of photo-worthy spots. It features Hong Kong's first public breakwater, with a railing-free design that lets you walk directly to the large rocks at the water's edge and sit to watch the sea—very romantic.
At the end of the breakwater, the 'Little Dome' is also a photo spot; it's actually a tunnel ventilation shaft visible from afar. Connected to the 'Little Dome' is the 'Flowing Victoria Harbour' large-scale art installation, made of 30,000 colorful bottle caps, like floating waves, very unique. At the end of the breakwater, you can enjoy a 360-degree sea view, and the view of Victoria Harbour from the eastern side of Hong Kong Island offers a completely different perspective!
Besides that, the park has another hugely popular photo spot: 'Light of Hong Kong', a typographic art installation spelling out 'Victoria Harbour' in English. It uses lights and colors to present the vibrancy of the harbour, and its hollow design allows you to step inside the artwork for photos.
Third Stop on the Hong Kong Island Seaside Trendy Tour: Kennedy Town Station
From Kennedy Town Station Exit A on the Island Line, walk about 6 minutes to reach the Kennedy Town Promenade. Besides being an excellent recreational waterfront space, you can enjoy a 180-degree view of West Kowloon, the Rambler Channel Bridge, and the Tsing Ma Bridge, plus a stunning sunset view.
Near the promenade, there's %Arabica, which originated in Kyoto. The café has a simple Japanese style with a white exterior and floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a beautiful scene by the sea.
The upper floor is a great place to relax, with a row of seats facing the sea where you can sip your coffee while enjoying the unbeatable sea view—perfect for unwinding. By the way, I highly recommend the iced latte; the flavor is absolutely superb.
Oh, and if you're a photography enthusiast, don't miss the Western District Bell Swimming Shed. It's about a 16-minute walk from the café or Kennedy Town Station Exit C. At the entrance, walk down the stairs; first you'll hear the sound of waves hitting the rocks, then a few more steps lead to a small wooden bridge. At the end of the bridge, you can go into the water to swim—that's the Bell Swimming Shed.
The Bell Swimming Shed is the last remaining swimming shed in Hong Kong, but more people come specifically to take photos, especially at dusk when the sunset view is breathtaking. The small wooden bridge stretches straight from the shore into the sea, like a secret path leading straight into the ocean, allowing you to immerse yourself in its embrace. In the evening, strolling lightly on this wooden boardwalk is a sure way to get great shots.
No trip to Hong Kong would be complete without seeing the dazzling night scenery, so on your way back, head to the Central Harbourfront Promenade!
From Central Station Exit A, walk about 10 minutes to reach the Central section of the Central and Western District Promenade. At the Hong Kong Observation Wheel on the Central Harbourfront, you can ride the wheel and enjoy the brilliant Victoria Harbour night view from a height of 60 meters, taking in the world-renowned skyline.
The Central Harbourfront Promenade connects to Tamar Park. Walking slowly from Central Pier, the buildings across Victoria Harbour shine in all their colorful, dazzling glory. If you catch the 'A Symphony of Lights' light and music show, which starts at 8 p.m. sharp, the scene transforms into a performance stage with lights flashing in sync with the music—truly spectacular.
As the saying goes, 'All lines pass through Admiralty.' The Central Harbourfront Promenade connects to Tamar Park, and from Tamar Park it's just a few minutes' walk to Admiralty Station. You can enter this super interchange station via Exit E and take the East Rail Line back—very convenient.
Whether in the morning or at night, Hong Kong Island radiates its charm. The opening of the East Rail Line cross-harbour section has made transportation on the island incredibly convenient, allowing you to travel anytime and experience the island's allure.
In fact, there are many more worthwhile spots in Hong Kong to explore. Now, the East Rail Line's direct connection makes shopping and tourism a one-stop experience, stress-free when you're out and about. It truly boosts the happiness of travel. There's also the newly launched mini-program 'Hong Kong Go MTR', which lets you check routes, first and last train times, etc., before your trip, so you can plan your itinerary well and not waste a single minute of your travels.
Alright, action speaks louder than words. Are you ready to set off on the East Rail Line?