What It’s Like to Take a Spin in the Hong Kong Observation Wheel

A new addition to the ever-changing Victoria Harbour waterfront in Central is the Hong Kong Observation Wheel. Measuring 60 meters high, it’s now a popular thing to do in Hong Kong with kids (and without).

This attraction is about a 15-minute walk from Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, where we were staying, either through the IFC mall or along the harbourfront. Since we’d taken over the hotel’s Instagram account for a day, we thought a spin during golden hour — when the sunset reflects off the skyscrapers — would be a perfect time to go. It certainly was, but we were probably a bit too early so catch it in full effect. It didn’t matter though, the view is spectacular at any time of day or night.

We picked up our tickets, thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and waited in a short line to board. They were letting groups have their own gondolas versus packing them full, but I wouldn’t expect this luxury during peak times.

The fact that we spun around three times over the course of 20 minutes that made this wheel more fun to my daughter than the London Eye which is a very slow single rotation over 30 minutes. You feel like you’re moving in the Hong Kong Observation Wheel so it’s more like a ferris wheel to a kid than a sightseeing attraction.

The 42 gondolas hold 8-10 people each but you remain seated here versus the London Eye where the gondolas are so massive that you can walk around. This factor won’t affect your view, as it’s easy to see in all directions. The view over Victoria Harbour is my favorite but you can catch a glimpse of The Peak and life buzzing around Central in the opposite direction, too.

The Hong Kong Observation Wheel is open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. and I suspect the night view is spectacular, especially if you were lucky enough to time our ride with the nightly Symphony of Lights laser show over the harbour. You’ll certainly want to plan to ride it at night during Christmas and Chinese New Year seasons when the skyscrapers are decorated in festive lights.

I can’t wait to see what is in store for the rest of this reclaimed area. We’re already scheduled to go back to Hong Kong in the spring so I’ll be sure to report back.

A variety of ticketing options are available. Children ages 3-12 and over are $70 HKD while adult tickets cost $100 HKD. VIP cabins will run you $2500 HKD. All need to be purchased at the Hong Kong Observation Wheel ticket booth.

Hong Kong Observation Wheel
33 Man Kwong Street (in front of Piers no. 9 & 10)
Central