“City Quest x Harbour Beats” brings music to Victoria Harbour, where a floating stage unites CityUHK and the community
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) is committed to strengthening connections between the University and the local community. By organising a wide array of programmes, CityUHK aims to promote cross-sector integration that not only enriches students’ learning experiences and nurtures their sense of social responsibility, but also injects vibrancy and positive impact into the community, delivering mutual benefits for both the University and society.
CityUHK’s flagship community outreach initiative — “City Quest” — has been successfully rolled out since its launch in July last year. To date, this docent-led initiative has organised over 15 activities in partnership with tertiary institutions, primary and secondary schools, community organisations, and commercial partners. By bringing together participants from different backgrounds and walks of life, the programme showcases the cultural diversity of Hong Kong and promotes social inclusion. It also highlights the importance of collaboration between universities and schools.
One of the programme’s highlights, “City Quest x Harbour Beats”, concluded successfully earlier. About 400 participants boarded the iconic sightseeing cruise “Oriental Pearl Cruise” on Victoria Harbour, enjoying a spectacular fusion of music and dance against the breathtaking harbour scenery for an unforgettable city exploration journey.
During the two-hour cruise, participants cruised along both sides of Victoria Harbour, sailing past Hong Kong’s iconic landmarks including the Hong Kong Observation Wheel in Central, Golden Bauhinia Square, East Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Avenue of Stars, and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. This unique sea-level viewpoint offered a completely new way to appreciate the charm and beauty of the harbour.
The highlight of the evening was turning the “Oriental Pearl Cruise” into a moving stage. Against the backdrop of the city’s world-famous skyline, attendees enjoyed a continuous lineup of musical and dance performances with breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views. The cruise became the perfect arena for more than 20 performing groups from different schools. They took turns on stage during the cruise, delivering a vibrant mix of performances including band show, street dance, pop singing and dancing, busking, and magic. Bathed in warm sunlight and a gentle sea breeze, participants were immersed in a vibrant and rhythmic portrait of Hong Kong on the waters of Victoria Harbour.
CityUHK student Chow Shing-wah, who was involved in organising the event, shared that the most unforgettable challenge was going beyond a typical boat trip, adding that the team wanted participants to rediscover Hong Kong through a completely new sensory lens while combining artistic interaction with the unique perspective from sea level on Victoria Harbour. The team hopes that this event would be able to evolve into a distinctive city exploration experience that seamlessly blends tourism, education, and art, allowing participants to appreciate the team’s thoughtful attention to every detail.
Professor Chan Chi-hou, Vice-President (Community Engagement) at CityUHK, expressed his gratitude for the strong support from the Kowloon City District Office and the Oriental Pearl Cruise. He emphasised that the event allowed students from universities, secondary, and primary schools to step out of the classroom and experience “learning in the community.”
He added that the event not only allowed participants to admire the iconic beauty of Victoria Harbour, but also provided them with a valuable opportunity to perform music and street dance right at the heart of the harbour, showcasing Hong Kong’s cultural diversity through arts performances.
Designed to connect the education sector, local communities, and international audiences, City Quest offers a platform for the public to share Hong Kong’s diverse and distinctive urban stories, supporting local tourism development and strengthening the “Study in Hong Kong” brand by presenting the city’s vibrant cultural depth and unique charm on the global stage. Meanwhile, CityUHK students played an essential role in planning and execution in every activity under the programme. They gained valuable hands-on experience in cross-sector collaboration, including project design, route planning, and on-site performance management.
CityUHK will continue promoting cross-disciplinary collaborations that bring learning into the community—seamlessly integrating education, tourism, culture, technology, and sports. Through innovative approaches, the University will deepen community bonds and encourage new ways of exploring the city.