Situated between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula in Hong Kong, Victoria Bay is the largest harbour in China and the third largest in the world, after San Francisco in the United States and Re de Janeiro in Brazil. It is home to most of the ports of Hong Kong, making Hong Kong one of the world's busiest ports. The harbour bustles day and night with all manner of watercraft - from the historic Star Ferries to cruise liners, cargo ships, and wooden fishing vessels.

Origin of the Name

    The harbour was named after the British Queen Victoria, who was on the throne for 63 years (1837 - 1901), the longest in the history of the Great Britain. During her reign, the Great Britain enjoyed unprecedented cultural and economic prosperity. However, after he had been on the throne for only 3 years, in 1840, Great Britain waged the First Opium War with China. Following the war, the Nanjing Treaty was signed, as a result of which Hong Kong Island became a Concession of Britain. Later in 1860 after the Second Opium War, China was forced to sign the Peking Treaty, and in 1861 Kowloon Peninsula was also ceded to Britain. In April of that year, the bay between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula was named Victoria Harbour. As the natural center of the territory's dense urban region, the harbour has played host to many major public shows, including the annual fireworks staged on the second night of the Lunar New Year, and its promenades are popular gathering places for tourists and residents.

    Long famous for its stunning panoramic views, the harbour is a major tourist attraction of Hong Kong. A myriad of lights twinkles at night from the skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula, making Hong Kong, together with Hakodate in Japan and Naples in Italy, included in the "three best night scenes of the world".