Hong Kong's Brand New Travel Route: MTR East Rail Line, So Much Fun!
Bored at home on weekends?
Head out now for a Hong Kong waterfront stroll, embark on a spontaneous trip, and say goodbye to all worries!
Heading to Hong Kong, whether crossing from Luohu or Futian Checkpoint, taking the MTR East Rail Line is equally convenient!
The East Rail Line has now extended to Hong Kong Island. After crossing the border, the train journey from Lo Wu Station to Admiralty Station is only 44 minutes; from Lok Ma Chau Station to Admiralty Station it takes just 50 minutes, with no transfers needed—one ride directly and easily across the harbour.
By the way, Admiralty Station has transformed into a mega interchange station, connecting the East Rail Line, Island Line, South Island Line, and Tsuen Wan Line!
Now you can also use the ride code on the MTR, entering through the purple gates without queuing for tickets—super convenient! Alipay, WeChat Pay, or UnionPay Cloud QuickPass have even launched limited-time ride discounts. Activate your MTR ride code now to enjoy the benefits, making traveling around Hong Kong easy and hassle-free!
Without further ado, here are the must-visit waterfront photo spots.
01. First Stop of Hong Kong Island Waterfront 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 Precinct features a minimalist exposed concrete style, with Wan Chai-themed photo frames perfect for snapping pictures.
Walking a bit further, you'll see the colorful Watersports and Recreation Precinct, themed around local famous illustrator Ms. Emily Ma's "Chocolate Rain," filled with cuteness and artistic vibes.
The precinct's waterfront features a railing-free "Coastal Step" design, allowing you to sit on the steps and get close to the sea. Here, you can also rent pedal boats along Victoria Harbour, enjoying the sea breeze and beautiful harbour views.
02. Second Stop of Hong Kong Island Waterfront Tour: Fortress Hill East Coast Park Precinct
Take the Island Line from Admiralty to Fortress Hill Station, then walk about 7 minutes from Exit A to reach East Coast Park. This is one of Hong Kong's hottest recent spots, full of photo opportunities. It features Hong Kong's first public breakwater with a railing-free design, letting you walk right up to the large rocks by the shore and sit to watch the sea—very romantic.
The "Little Dome" at the end of the breakwater is also a photo spot; it's actually a ventilation shaft for a tunnel, visible from afar. Connected to the "Little Dome" is the "Flowing Victoria Harbour" large art installation, made of 30,000 colorful bottle caps, resembling floating waves, highly distinctive. At the end of the breakwater, you can enjoy a 360-degree sea view without any obstruction. The Victoria Harbour view from the eastern side of Hong Kong Island offers a different perspective!
In addition, the park features another extremely popular photo spot, "Light of Hong Kong," a typography art installation spelling "Victoria Harbour" in English, using lights and colors to showcase the harbour's vibrancy. Its hollow design allows you to step inside the artwork for photos.
03. Third Stop of Hong Kong Island Waterfront 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 a great leisure waterfront space, you can enjoy a 180-degree view of West Kowloon, the Rambler Channel Bridge, and the Tsing Ma Bridge, plus stunning sunset views.
Near the promenade, there's %Arabica from Kyoto, a coffee shop with a minimalist Japanese style, white exterior walls and floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a beautiful scene by the seaside.
The upstairs area is a great place to relax, with rows of sea-facing seats where you can sip coffee while enjoying the boundless sea view—perfect for unwinding. By the way, I highly recommend their iced latte, which is absolutely delicious.
Oh, and if you're a photography enthusiast, don't miss the Western District Bell and Moon Swimming Shed. It's about a 16-minute walk from the coffee shop or Kennedy Town Station Exit C. Walk down the stairs at the entrance, and you'll first hear the sound of waves hitting rocks. A few more steps and you'll see a small wooden bridge leading out to the sea, where people can swim—that's the swimming shed.
The Bell and Moon Swimming Shed is the last remaining swimming shed in Hong Kong, but many people come specifically to take photos, especially during sunset when the scenery is breathtaking. The wooden bridge stretches straight from the shore into the sea, like a secret path leading directly to the ocean, immersing yourself in the sea's embrace. During sunset, strolling lightly on the boardwalk can produce stunning photos in no time.
A trip to Hong Kong wouldn't be complete without experiencing the dazzling night scenery, so on your way back, visit 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 60 meters high to enjoy the brilliant Victoria Harbour night view and the world-famous skyline.
The Central Harbourfront Promenade connects to Tamar Park. Strolling slowly from Central Pier, the buildings on the opposite side of Victoria Harbour shine with colorful lights. If you catch the "Symphony of Lights" light and music show starting at 8 p.m. sharp, the scene transforms into a performance stage, with lights twinkling in rhythm with the music—truly awe-inspiring.
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 morning or night, Hong Kong Island unleashes 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 photo-worthy spots in Hong Kong. Now, with the East Rail Line providing direct access, shopping and tourism can be achieved in one go, making travel completely stress-free. This truly enhances the happiness of traveling. There's also the newly launched mini-program "Hong Kong Go MTR" for checking routes, first and last train times before your trip, helping you plan your itinerary well and not waste a single second of your journey.
Alright, actions speak louder than words. Are you ready to take the East Rail Line and set off?