Newly launched traditional Chinese junk boat, aqua luna II unfurls its sails to display the magnificent Chinese icon from the Ming Dynasty — the imperial blue and white dragon. Aqua luna II joins the celebrated aqua luna family offering harbour cruises set against Hong Kong’s stunning skyline.
Probably one of the last traditional Chinese junk boats that will ever be made, aqua luna II has been painstakingly built over the past two years. Leading the construction was Sifu (master craftsman) Au, now 86 years old, who is said to have built more wooden boats than any other person in Hong Kong. The boat is made exclusively from wood, using bamboo for waterproofing with no nails used at all in the structure.
Whilst the first aqua luna, which launched over a decade ago, is famous for its traditional and distinctive red sails, newcomer — aqua luna II boasts sails that feature a beautiful and ornate blue and white dragon of the Ming Dynasty, often seen on antique Chinese porcelain. In Chinese culture the dragon is a legendary creature; a symbol of power and good luck for all it touches — much favoured by emperors.
In Chi nese, aqua luna and aqua luna II are named after Hong Kong pirate Cheung Po Tsai, who sailed Hong Kong waters over 100 years ago and it is said he used the caves of Cheung Chau to store his pirate treasure. Aqua luna is Cheung Po Tsai and aqua luna II is Dai Cheung Po (big brother of Cheung Po Tsai) — indicating its greater size. Measuring 29m in length, it can hold up to 80 guests on its two decks.
Commissioned by Aqua Restaurant Group, aqua luna II is the younger but larger brother to the iconic red-sailed junk aqua luna, which was originally conceived by founder David Yeo as an answer to what he called the “sad disappearance of one of Hong Kong’s great traditions — the Chinese wooden junk that defined Hong Kong’s remarkable seafaring past.” It proved so successful that a second junk was created.
David Yeo further explains “We wanted to do something to give back to Hong Kong which has been such a good home for our Aqua Restaurant Group. The Victoria Harbour was once filled with glorious red sail Chinese junk boats, however over the years they have disappeared one by one. What better way to raise the spirits of the city than to recreate such a visually stunning and a quintessentially ‘Hong Kong’ icon.”
The aqua luna fleet, with its two traditional Chinese junk boats, offers a number of ways for residents and visitors to enjoy Hong Kong’s famous harbour. During the day, explore various interesting locations around the harbour aboard aqua luna’s hop-on/hop-off Harbour Discovery Tour. If you have the stomach to dine on a boat, a new offering of Dim Sum Cruises lets you enjoy signature dishes, prepared by Dim Sum Library — Aqua Restaurant Group’s innovative dim sum and modern Chinese restaurant. Meanwhile, for something more romantic, 45-minute evening harbour cruises are great to relax on lounge beds as you sip cocktails with Hong Kong’s famed skyline as a shining backdrop.
What you can do aboard aqua luna
- The Symphony of Lights sail is HK$295 (RM166.80), departing from both Central and Tsim Sha Tsui at 7.30pm and 7.45pm daily. Children’s tickets are available from HK$155 and HK$220 respectively.
- Harbour Discovery Tours run from 12pm to 5pm daily, picking up and dropping off passengers at four key spots: Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Wan Chai and Hung Hom. Day passes are priced at HK$160 for adults and HK$100 for children.
- Day cruise to Stanley on Hong Kong Island’s south side is offered on every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Adult price round trip at HK$400 and single trip at HK$280, children’s tickets are available from HK$260 for a round trip and HK$190 for a single trip.
- Lamma Island Day Tour runs every Wednesday, returning from Lamma Island at 3.45pm. Round trip priced at HK$500 for adults.
- Cheung Chau Island Discovery Day Tour runs every Friday, returning from Cheung Chau Island at 3.45pm. Round trip priced at HK$500 for adults.
- Dim sum cruises run every Monday boarding at 1pm from Tsim Sha Tsui and 1.15pm from Central. Tickets are priced at HK$400 for adults.
For reservations and more information, call 2116 8821 or visit www.aqualuna.com.hk.