Royal Champagne Road: Chapter XI - End of Empire

July 1, 1997, 00:00:00.

July 1, 1997, 00:00:00. At the Hong Kong Convention Centre, 156 years of British rule ended. The Union Jack was lowered to "God Save the Queen" as 4,000 guests watched. A 12-second hiatus between anthems - longer than planned. On the morning after, "socialites were knocking back champagne to the keening sounds of a Chinese orchestra." Walk where empire ended: the handover site, the Mandarin Oriental where colonial society toasted, Victoria Peak where Chinese were banned until 1930, and the Star Ferry crossing the same waters as the Royal Yacht Britannia.

A Wine Memories curated trail · winememories.fi

4 experiences 🇭🇰 Hong Kong moderate 4 days

Map

Loading map...

Stops

Curated by Wine Memories

  1. 1
    🍷

    Hong Kong Convention Centre: Midnight Handover

    July 1, 1997, 00:00:00. At this exact spot, 156 years of British rule ended. The Union Jack was lowered to "God Save the Queen." A 12-second hiatus between anthems - longer than planned. Prince Charles watched the empire end.

    cultural free
  2. 2
    🍷

    Mandarin Oriental: The Champagne Morning After

    "On the morning after, socialites were knocking back champagne to the keening sounds of a Chinese orchestra." The Mandarin Oriental was the center of colonial society - and the first place to toast a new era.

    tasting $$$$
  3. 3
    ⛰️

    Victoria Peak: Last Sunset of Empire

    The Peak was the exclusive domain of British colonials - Chinese were banned from living here from 1904 to 1930 under the Peak District Reservation Ordinance. Only one Chinese was granted permission: Mme Chiang Kai-shek. On June 30, 1997, the sun set on the British Empire here. You can still watch it happen every evening.

    adventure $
  4. 4
    🍷

    Star Ferry: Where Empires Meet

    The Star Ferry has crossed Victoria Harbour since 1888. It passes the Convention Centre where the handover happened. For HK$5, you can ride where colonials and Chinese met - and still meet - between two shores.

    city $

Plan the trip

Insider tip. July 1 is now a public holiday in Hong Kong - expect crowds at the Convention Centre. Victoria Peak at sunset is stunning but queue for the tram - take bus 15 instead. The Mandarin Oriental's Captain's Bar is the authentic colonial champagne experience.

Getting there and around

Car required
No
Parking
No car needed. Driving in HK is complicated and unnecessary.
Nearest airport
Hong Kong International (HKG)
Drinking and driving
Colonial bars are expensive. 7-Eleven sells champagne splits for sunset.
Without a car
MTR is world-class. Star Ferry is iconic. Bus 15 beats Peak Tram queue.

Where to stay

Base yourself in
Hong Kong Island (Central or Wan Chai)
Why there
All sites accessible by MTR/walking.
Booking tip
July 1 is a public holiday - book ahead.
Nightly range
HK$500-3000/night (US$65-385)

Recommended stays

Budget
YHA Mei Ho House (HK$300-500)
Luxury
Mandarin Oriental (HK$4000+) - the colonial experience
Mid-range
The Hari Hong Kong (HK$1500-2000)

What it costs

Includes
2 nights, Peak Tram, Star Ferry, champagne tastings
Meals
HK$100-200 lunch, HK$300-600 dinner
Per person
HK$2000-5000 (US$260-650)
Ways to spend less
  • Star Ferry is HK$3.70-5.20 - best value view in Hong Kong
  • 7-Eleven sells champagne splits (HK$150-200)
  • Bus 15 to Peak is HK$12 vs HK$88 for tram
  • Golden Bauhinia Square is free
Tasting fees
Captain's Bar HK$200+/glass, Peak Tram HK$88 return

Booking and timing

Lead time
Mandarin Oriental bars: no reservation needed for bar, 1-2 weeks for restaurant.
Closed days
All sites open daily.
Peak season
July 1 is crowded. October-March is best weather.
Best time of day
Flag ceremony 7:50 AM. Peak: sunset. Star Ferry: after dark.

Where to eat

Lunch
  • Yat Lok (Wellington St) - roast goose, HK$80-120
  • Tim Ho Wan (Central) - Michelin dim sum, HK$100-150
Dinner
  • The Peak Lookout - sunset views, HK$300-500
  • Man Wah (Mandarin Oriental) - Michelin Cantonese, HK$800+
  • Amber (Landmark) - 2 Michelin stars, HK$1500+

If your time is short

Do not miss
If you only have one day
exp-royal-ch-032-hk-handover + exp-royal-ch-034-victoria-peak - The end of empire and the colonial heights.
If it rains
Convention Centre and Mandarin Oriental are covered. Skip Peak in fog.
Skip if time is short

Mistakes to avoid

  • Don't queue for Peak Tram - bus 15 is faster with better views
  • Don't go to the Peak in fog - check visibility first
  • Don't miss the Star Ferry night crossing - the skyline is spectacular
  • Don't underestimate colonial bar prices - HK$200+ per glass

Worth stopping for

  • Golden Bauhinia: morning light, flag ceremony at 7:50 AM
  • Victoria Peak: sunset from Lugard Road viewpoint
  • Star Ferry: shoot the Convention Centre from starboard side