This has to be the best value tourist attraction in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s version of the London Eye is located down by the harbour opposite the Star Ferry terminals. Tickets are HK$20/$10 for kids (a fraction of what you’d pay in London). Recently I haven’t seen any queues so there’s no need to pre-book. Just walk up and get your tickets on the spot.
The gondolas are fully enclosed although you may have to share the gondola with others. As there are few tourists right now, I think it’s a fairly safe to assume that you will probably have it to yourself. However, for around the same cost as a single ticket on the London Eye, you can pay to have the gondola to yourself.
There is a very small fairground style area, ‘AIA Vitality Park’ although there’s not a lot here other than a carousel.
GETTING THERE: From the MTR Central Station take Exit A to the Central Piers. If you’re coming on the Star ferry, then you’ll see it in front of you as you come out of the ferry terminal.
TIP: There is a lovely promenade walk which starts pretty much at the wheel and follows the harbour all the way around to the Exhibition Centre at Wan Chai. It is a brilliant flat, paved walk with great views, parkland and artwork along the way (I’ve included a separate review).
Hi Mairwen1,
Thank you for your informative review!
Our tickets are reasonably priced so that people of all walks of life can enjoy the Wheel, in fact seniors 65+ and children 3 & below can ride the Wheel for free. We also aim to have all sorts of free entertainment for public enjoyment during the weekends, including wellness classes, live music & children's activities at the AIA Vitality Park, so do check our Facebook page @HKOWOfficial for updates.
The Observation Wheel area on the Central Waterfront Promenade has been given a neat little makeover in what is called the AIA Vitality Park. This is designated space for fostering wellness-themed activities and healthier, better lives.
There will be sponsored yoga and exercise sessions at AIA Vitality Park. Additionally, guests will find several kiosks, numerous tables and benches, a large scale jumbotron screen, carousel, a handful of family-friendly installations and open space with artificial grass for the children to run around. It is a neat little addition to the Observation Wheel, providing more reason to visit and spend time at the Central Waterfront along Victoria Harbour.
I've enjoyed the Observation Wheel a couple times over the past year, finding it to be a fair attraction, something particularly enjoyable for those visiting Hong Kong with families. Opening hours are 11am to 11pm daily.
Ticket prices are much cheaper these days (HK$20 per adult, HK$10 for children and seniors and free for those under 3 years of age). You can buy in advance on their website or at the ticket kiosk just near the ferris wheel.
In short, the Observation Wheel is a modern ferris wheel with 42 enclosed gondolas which can carry a max of 8 people. It rises to a height of 60 metres, affording nice views of the Hong Kong Skyline to the south and east and of Victoria Harbour and Kowloon to the north. A full cycle around the Observation Wheel takes approx 5-6 minutes and tickets are usually good for 2 or 3 spins depending on the queue sizes.
Lots of things are expensive in HK: rent, groceries, alcohol...but not this! For an unbelievably low HK$20 (around £2), you get a great view of the harbour and the buildings on both sides. When compared to other similar rides around the word, that is an amazing price. At the moment, with the city having so few tourists, there are no queues either and you’ll probably be able to get your own gondola without paying the full HK$160 either.
The sightseeing attraction on the harbourfront on the Hong Kong Island side of Victoria Harbour labours under the prosaic title, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel. It would be called in eye in other cities that have such a feature. It's a great way to see the city, at least the immediate vicinity of the harbour and Central beyond. Booking is straightforward, with the handy kiosk metres away from the gondolas. It was quiet when we we were there, presumably because of the coronavirus. The short queue meant we were soon next in line. Once you're inside your cabin, the wheel moves at a gentle pace through the air, circling high above the city. Even for those nervous about heights, it shouldn't be taxing or worrisome. After a trip of about 15 minutes - two or three spins - you're back to ground again. The staff are attentive,helpful and efficient. At HK$20 for adults, the experience is economical for most and well worth fitting into your Hong Kong stay.
