H3 South Hong Kong Island Adventure：The Most Scenic Bus Rides

The other afternoon, I boarded the H3 double-decker open-top bus at Central Pier and rode it all the way to the end of the line, which circles around the southern part of Hong Kong Island. The H3 is part of Citybus’s "Sightseeing Citybus" series, also known as the "Coastliner." It starts in Central, travels along the bustling northern shore of Hong Kong Island, climbs over the hills, and ends in Stanley on the southern side of the island. The entire trip takes about 55 minutes.

I grabbed a seat on the upper deck, toward the back of the open-top section. There were no obstructions anywhere—above, ahead, or all around—the views were wide open. Once the bus pulled away from Man Kwong Street, the sun was overhead, but a breeze kicked in and kept things cool. It actually felt great. We passed the Admiralty (West) Bus Terminus, wound our way around it, slipped past Tamar Street and Gloucester Road, and rolled through the heart of Hong Kong Island’s core business district—banks, multinational headquarters, and glass towers gleaming in the afternoon sun. Old colonial-style buildings sat right next to shiny new financial towers, all jumbled together. There was a real sense of history and modernity at once—the weight of the past, the continuity, and the forward momentum—all unfolding in a single street, in a single moment. It reminded me a lot of wandering around Melbourne or Adelaide. Passing by the International Organization for Mediation, you’ll notice a brown, spire-topped building next door. This Neo-Classical structure, built in 1932, was formerly the Old Wan Chai Police Station and is classified as a Grade II historic building. After a renovation in 2025, it now serves as the headquarters of the International Organization for Mediation.

After passing Wan Chai North, we entered the Aberdeen Tunnel and then passed Ocean Park. The bus soon began ascending the winding mountain road, which was the most breathtaking part of the entire journey. Tall, dense camphor trees lined both sides of the road, their thick leaves intertwining to form a moving canopy overhead. This canopy would intermittently block the sun, only to suddenly allow sunlight to pour through a gap, illuminating everything in an instant. The air continuously shifted between warm and cool, fresh and invigorating, making the view feel perpetually new and captivating.

On one side of the winding road, high up in the Mid-Levels, there were massive residential complexes featuring bold and unconventional architecture—some supported by enormous columns that lifted the buildings into the air; others consisting of two halves connected in the middle by an arched corridor or bridge-like structure. Such designs are rarely seen on the mainland. The most striking example is 63 Pok Fu Lam Road, whose base showcases English Neo-Classical style—four sets of natural stone arches over 15 meters tall, forming a corridor more than 47 meters long with the lobby situated below. The arches, corridor, and lobby overlap and interconnect seamlessly. It is a spectacular sight, with a design that skillfully addresses the hillside’s slope while accommodating parking, entrances, and a sense of visual grandeur.

Soon, the sea came into view on one side, and we drew closer and closer to the coast—mountains on one side, ocean on the other. First came Deep Water Bay, then Repulse Bay. The deep blue water stretched from right in front of me all the way to the distant horizon, where the golden, glittering sky blurred into the sea. Below, the water was covered in a shimmering golden sheen, and white yachts appeared almost motionless, embedded on the surface. People in swimsuits dotted the beach. On the shore at Repulse Bay stands The Repulse Bay complex—part of the original 1920 Repulse Bay Hotel was preserved and converted into a high-end terrace restaurant run by The Peninsula, serving a classic English three-tier afternoon tea.

The bus continued along Repulse Bay Road, Chung Hom Kok Road, and Cape Road, passed the Ma Hang Estate transport interchange, and pulled into its final stop: Stanley Village Road. It is located right by Stanley Market. Walk down the steps, and you will find yourself at Stanley Beach. This South Island seaside town is where East meets West. The main beach, Stanley Main Beach, features golden sand stretching in every direction. Adjacent to it is Stanley Plaza, which comprises a shopping center, Murray House, and an open-air amphitheater. Murray House is one of Stanley’s most famous historic buildings—originally built in 1844 on Garden Road in Admiralty, demolished in 1982, and rebuilt here by the Hong Kong government in 1999. It is a classic European-style building housing fine restaurants, exuding a nostalgic and romantic atmosphere. Right beside it, Blake Pier’s green canopy against the blue sea and sky offers a perfect spot to sit, relax, and enjoy the view. Stanley Main Street is filled with semi-open-air bars and restaurants— even when seated indoors, the European-style long windows allow you to soak up the sun and street scene without missing a thing.

To return to Central from Stanley, you can take the H4 bus—the return route of the H3—which operates from 11:00 to 18:00, departing every 60 minutes. Alternatively, you can hop on the 40X minibus located nearby, which passes through Repulse Bay, Island Road, Wong Chuk Hang, and the Aberdeen Tunnel before reaching Jardine’s Lookout in Causeway Bay. If you have time, you can also hike the approximately 4–6 km trail between Stanley and Repulse Bay, following sections of the Twin Peaks Trail and the Wilson Trail. This route climbs above Stanley before descending to Repulse Bay, offering panoramic views of the Stanley Peninsula. The hike takes about 1.5 to 2.5 hours. After exploring Repulse Bay, you can catch the H4 or another bus back to Central.

The H3 route launched on 31 March 2025. It spans Hong Kong Island’s northern and south-central commercial districts and connects to the coastal scenic areas of the South Island and West Island. A single journey costs HK$49.70, with no sectional fares. Children under 12 and seniors aged 65 and over pay half price. The route links almost everything—the cityscape, cultural landmarks, stunning sea views, and mountains. The closer you get to Stanley, the more it feels like a European seaside town, with its villas and coastal vibe. It’s reminiscent of driving an open-top car along the Great Ocean Road at the Twelve Apostles in Melbourne or along the coastal highway in Sydney. At the far end of this beautiful seaside town, which feels like the edge of the world, you instantly forget all your worldly worries and obligations. You feel as if you are soaking in the scenery, becoming part of it, merging with it—immersed in nature’s eternal charm and becoming one with it yourself. 

The H3 boarding point is located just outside Central Ferry Pier 8, almost directly beneath the Hong Kong Observation Wheel. There are plenty of staff members on the ground at Central Pier—if you can’t find the stop, just ask. If you haven’t taken this ride yet, you definitely should—go and give South Island a proper look.(Donnie Wang)