Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier
Encyclopedia
Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier is a pier located on reclaimed land
at the southernmost tip of Tsim Sha Tsui
on Kowloon Peninsula
in Hong Kong
. It is commonly known as Star Ferry Pier (天星碼頭) in Tsim Sha Tsui. Star Ferry
operates the pedestrian ferry service across Victoria Harbour
to Wan Chai
and to Central
on Hong Kong Island
. The location is identified as "Kowloon Point" in the franchise held by Star Ferry.
. It was of a "finger design". The pier opened in 1906, but was destroyed by typhoon in September 1906.
Its replacement, which was designed to accommodate two ferries, was completed in 1914. In the early 1950s, construction of the present twin-piered terminal commenced on both sides of Victoria Harbour. The structure was completed in 1957, concurrent with the completion of the now demolished Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier
, which was built on the island side. Both piers were examples of Streamline Moderne
.
is located nearby.
A bus terminus located at the foot of Salisbury Road
hosts KMB bus routes travelling to various parts of Kowloon
and New Kowloon
.
The pier is close to Star House
, Ocean Terminal
, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
, and the Clock Tower of former KCR
Kowloon Station. The Five Flag Poles between the pier and Star House are a popular meeting place.
There are a few retail shops at the Pier, including newsstands, a shop selling Star Ferry merchandise (models of ferries), an HSBC branch, and a Hong Kong Tourism Board
information centre.
Land reclamation in Hong Kong
Land is in short supply in Hong Kong, and land reclamation has been conducted there since the mid-19th century.-Projects:One of the earliest and famous project was the Praya Reclamation Scheme, which added 50 to of land in 1890 during the second phase of construction...
at the southernmost tip of Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui , often abbreviated as TST, is an urbanized area in southern Kowloon, Hong Kong. The area is administratively part of the Yau Tsim Mong District. Tsim Sha Tsui East is a piece of land reclaimed from the Hung Hom Bay now east of Tsim Sha Tsui...
on Kowloon Peninsula
Kowloon Peninsula
The Kowloon Peninsula is a peninsula that forms the southern part of the main landmass in the territory of Hong Kong. The Kowloon Peninsula and the area of New Kowloon are collectively known as Kowloon....
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. It is commonly known as Star Ferry Pier (天星碼頭) in Tsim Sha Tsui. Star Ferry
Star Ferry
The Star Ferry, or The "Star" Ferry Company, is a passenger ferry service operator in Hong Kong. Its principal routes carry passengers across Victoria Harbour, between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon...
operates the pedestrian ferry service across Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour is a natural landform harbour situated between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula in Hong Kong. The harbour's deep, sheltered waters and strategic location on the South China Sea were instrumental in Hong Kong's establishment as a British colony and its subsequent...
to Wan Chai
Wan Chai
Wan Chai is a metropolitan area situated at the western part of the Wan Chai District on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island, in Hong Kong. Its other boundaries are Canal Road to the east, Arsenal Street to the west and Bowen Road to the south. The area north of Gloucester Road is often called...
and to Central
Central, Hong Kong
Central is the central business district of Hong Kong. It is located in Central and Western District, on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui, the southernmost point of Kowloon Peninsula...
on Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
. The location is identified as "Kowloon Point" in the franchise held by Star Ferry.
History
Construction of the first pier on the present location started in 1904, after the great land reclamation which extended Salisbury RoadSalisbury Road, Hong Kong
Salisbury Road is a major road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It runs parallel to Victoria Harbour, starting from its western end at the Star Ferry Pier, passing by Blackhead Point, to Tsim Sha Tsui East...
. It was of a "finger design". The pier opened in 1906, but was destroyed by typhoon in September 1906.
Its replacement, which was designed to accommodate two ferries, was completed in 1914. In the early 1950s, construction of the present twin-piered terminal commenced on both sides of Victoria Harbour. The structure was completed in 1957, concurrent with the completion of the now demolished Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier
Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier
Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier, often referred to as the "Star Ferry" Pier, was a pier in Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong; the pier, with its clock tower, was a prominent waterfront landmark...
, which was built on the island side. Both piers were examples of Streamline Moderne
Streamline Moderne
Streamline Moderne, sometimes referred to by either name alone or as Art Moderne, was a late type of the Art Deco design style which emerged during the 1930s...
.
Structure
Like the Ferry Pier on Hong Kong Island, the pier consists of a two bi-level piers. The upper level boarding is more expansive than the lower level boarding area. The two structures are supported by wood pilings. Unlike the Hong Kong side, the Tsim Sha Tsui pier itself does not have a clock tower, though oneClock Tower, Hong Kong
The Clock Tower is a landmark in Hong Kong. It is located on the southern shore of Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. It is the only remnant of the original site of the former Kowloon Station on the Kowloon-Canton Railway...
is located nearby.
A bus terminus located at the foot of Salisbury Road
Salisbury Road, Hong Kong
Salisbury Road is a major road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It runs parallel to Victoria Harbour, starting from its western end at the Star Ferry Pier, passing by Blackhead Point, to Tsim Sha Tsui East...
hosts KMB bus routes travelling to various parts of Kowloon
Kowloon
Kowloon is an urban area in Hong Kong comprising the Kowloon Peninsula and New Kowloon. It is bordered by the Lei Yue Mun strait in the east, Mei Foo Sun Chuen and Stonecutter's Island in the west, Tate's Cairn and Lion Rock in the north, and Victoria Harbour in the south. It had a population of...
and New Kowloon
New Kowloon
New Kowloon is an area in Kowloon, Hong Kong, bounded in the south by Boundary Street, and in the north by the ranges of the Lion Rock, Beacon Hill, Tate's Cairn and Kowloon Peak...
.
The pier is close to Star House
Star House
Star House is a commercial building facing Victoria Harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The building is located on Salisbury Road and Canton Road....
, Ocean Terminal
Ocean Terminal, Hong Kong
Ocean Terminal is a cruise terminal and shopping centre located on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.-History:The location of Ocean Terminal was once a wharf pier on the west shore of Tsim Sha Tsui. Rebuilt and enlarged for use as a cruise terminal, it also served as a multi-story shopping...
, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Hong Kong Cultural Centre
The Hong Kong Cultural Centre is a multipurpose performance facility in the Tsim Sha Tsui area of Hong Kong. Located at Salisbury Road, it was founded by the former Urban Council and, after 2000, is administered by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong Government...
, and the Clock Tower of former KCR
Kowloon-Canton Railway
The Kowloon–Canton Railway refers to a railway network in Hong Kong which is now combined with the MTR railway system, comprising rapid transit services, a light rail system and feeder bus routes within Hong Kong, and intercity passenger and freight train services to the rest of China...
Kowloon Station. The Five Flag Poles between the pier and Star House are a popular meeting place.
There are a few retail shops at the Pier, including newsstands, a shop selling Star Ferry merchandise (models of ferries), an HSBC branch, and a Hong Kong Tourism Board
Hong Kong Tourism Board
The Hong Kong Tourism Board is a Government-subvented body founded in 2001. The Board replaced the Hong Kong Tourist Association established in 1957...
information centre.