13km of Waterfront: Hong Kong's Best Harbourfront Parks and Walks
For years, walking along Victoria Harbour meant navigating detours around construction sites, dead ends at highway overpasses, and stretches where the waterfront was tantalisingly close but completely inaccessible. That changed in January 2026 when the final section of the East Coast Boardwalk opened in North Point, completing a continuous 13km promenade from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan. For the first time, you can walk (or cycle) the entire northern edge of Hong Kong Island without leaving the waterfront.
The milestone is part of a larger push. On the Kowloon side, 14km of a planned 21km harbourfront is already open, with the full network targeting completion by 2028. Across both sides of the harbour, Hong Kong is building one of Asia’s most ambitious urban waterfront corridors, and nearly all of it is free.
The Big Picture: 13km on HK Island, 34km Total by 2028
The Hong Kong Island promenade runs through some of the city’s most recognisable neighbourhoods: Kennedy Town, Sai Ying Pun, Central, Wan Chai, North Point, Quarry Bay, and Shau Kei Wan. Walking the full route takes roughly three to four hours at a comfortable pace, though most people will tackle it in sections.
The final missing link was the eastern section of the East Coast Boardwalk, a 1.1km path built underneath the Island Eastern Corridor expressway. It features a glass observation deck and designated fishing zones. The Development Bureau plans to extend the combined harbourfront to 34km across both sides of the harbour by 2028.
Hong Kong Island Highlights
Wan Chai Waterfront Park is one of the most popular sections, partly because of its retired MTR trains. Two decommissioned “Metro Cammell” carriages (nicknamed “Ugly Bug Heads” by locals) sit right on the promenade, repurposed as exhibition spaces. The park is open 24 hours, with the train cars accessible from 10am to 10pm. It connects seamlessly to the Tamar Park boardwalk and the Central harbourfront.
Sai Ying Pun Waterfront Park is one of the newest additions, featuring Hong Kong’s first cloud-shaped inflatable playground and a water-and-sand sensory zone for children. It has quickly become one of the most popular family spots on the island.
East Coast Park and Boardwalk in North Point offers the most dramatic stretch: a 1.1km elevated walkway running under the highway, with harbour views framed by concrete columns. A glass-floor observation point juts out over the water. Bike rental is available near the North Point cruise terminal for around HK$20 per day.
Kowloon Side: Where to Go Now
Kwun Tong Waterfront Garden is arguably the best single waterfront park in Hong Kong. Spanning 4.13 hectares on the site of a former cargo yard, it features a 1km promenade, a music fountain with evening light shows, interactive splash zones, a pet park, and preserved industrial heritage elements including a simulated crane tower. Open 24 hours, with the fountain running 8:30am to 10:30pm. Take the MTR to Ngau Tau Kok Station (Exit B6) and walk 15 minutes.
Cha Kwo Ling Waterfront Park nearby is a playground paradise with over 60 play structures, including an 8-metre-high slide, wave slides, trampolines, and seaside swings across five themed zones. It is also one of the few parks in Hong Kong where dogs are welcome inside the main areas. MTR Kwun Tong Station (Exit B1), then a 13-minute walk.
For a quieter experience, the West Kowloon Cultural District Promenade offers a 1km cultural light corridor showcasing 70 light boxes of local art, plus sweeping views across to Central’s skyline. It sits right next to M+ and the Palace Museum.
Best for Families and Pets
Several parks stand out for families. Tai Po Waterfront Park in the New Territories is the largest at 22 hectares, with an insect house, a kite-flying zone, a model boat pond, and the Hong Kong Return Monument tower offering panoramic views. It is worth the trip for a half-day outing.
For pet owners, Cheung Sha Wan Waterfront Garden and Cha Kwo Ling Waterfront Park both operate as “pet co-sharing” spaces where dogs can roam more freely. Most other waterfront parks along the harbour are pet-friendly on leash.
If you are looking for more outdoor activities in Hong Kong, the harbourfront promenades make an easy, flat alternative to the city’s famous hillside trails.
Quick Info
| HK Island Promenade | 13km, Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan |
| Kowloon Target | 34km total both sides by 2028 |
| Admission | Free (all parks) |
| Hours | Most parks open 24 hours |
| Best Starting Point | MTR North Point Station (East Coast Boardwalk) or MTR Wan Chai Station (Wan Chai Promenade) |
| Bike Rental | Available near North Point cruise terminal (~HK$20/day) |
| Website | discoverhongkong.com |
