bodyType

customContents

entityId

printArticlePageQuery

filter

article

body

urlAlias

articleSectionsContent

articleSeoArticle

articleSourceHeaderArticle

contentSchemaRenderContent

contentSubHeadlineContent

contentHeadlineContent

mainImagePrintArticleArticle

authorBlockPrintArticleArticle

contentSponsorTagContent

articlePianoPaywallContent

scmpYoutubeContent

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

query printArticlePageQuery(
  $entityId: String!
  $customContents: [CustomContentInput]
  $bodyType: BodyFormatTypeEnum
) {
  article(filter: {entityId: $entityId}) {
    entityId
    body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
      json
    }
    urlAlias
    ...articleSectionsContent
    ...articleSeoArticle_3o8td4
    ...articleSourceHeaderArticle
    ...contentSchemaRenderContent
    ...contentSubHeadlineContent
    ...contentHeadlineContent
    ...mainImagePrintArticleArticle
    ...authorBlockPrintArticleArticle
    ...contentSponsorTagContent
    ...articlePianoPaywallContent
    ...scmpYoutubeContent
    ...hooksTrackPageViewArticle
    id
  }
}

fragment articlePianoPaywallContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksPaywallPromiseContent
}

fragment articleSectionsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      ...helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection
      ...entityLink
      name
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment articleSeoArticle_3o8td4 on Article {
  ...hooksArticleSeoArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersGetArticleTypeArticle
  entityId
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
  summary {
    text
  }
  subHeadline {
    text
  }
  body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
    text
  }
  keywords
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  topics {
    name
    entityId
    id
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  images {
    style(filter: {style: "768x768"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  readingTime
}

fragment articleSourceHeaderArticle on Article {
  urlAlias
  ...entityLink
}

fragment authorBlockPrintArticleArticle on Article {
  ...defaultArticleDateContent
  ...authorNamesArticle
}

fragment authorNameAuthor on Author {
  ...entityLink
  name
  entityUuid
}

fragment authorNamesArticle on Article {
  authorLocations
  authors {
    entityId
    location
    ...authorNameAuthor
    id
  }
}

fragment blockquoteQuoteContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment contentHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  socialHeadline
  ...contentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
}

fragment contentNewsletterWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
    id
  }
  sections {
    value {
      relatedNewsletters {
        ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
        id
      }
      id
    }
  }
  ... on Article {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment contentSchemaRenderContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...blockquoteQuoteContent
  ...imageContent
  ...inlineWidgetContent
  ...photoGalleryWidgetContent
  ...scmpYoutubeContent
}

fragment contentShareWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  shortUrl
  socialHeadline
  headline
}

fragment contentSponsorTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentSubHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  subHeadline {
    json
  }
  summary {
    json
  }
  ...contentSchemaRenderContent
}

fragment defaultArticleDateContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksArticleDateUtilsContent
}

fragment entityLink on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  entityId
  entityUuid
  urlAlias
  urlRedirect {
    toUrl
    id
  }
  application {
    entityId
    id
  }
  ... on Section {
    fullSectionPath {
      entityId
      id
    }
    parentSection
  }
  ...helpersAppBarVariantBase
  ...helpersApplicationBase
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersAppBarVariantBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsLiveArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...helpersSectionContent
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersApplicationBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
}

fragment helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection on Section {
  name
}

fragment helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle on Article {
  entityId
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  disableOffPlatformContent
  sponsorType
  published
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
}

fragment helpersCheckIsLiveArticle on Article {
  flattenTypeIds
  liveArticle {
    status
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    paywallTypes {
      entityUuid
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsStyleArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersGetArticleTypeArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        entityId
        id
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter on Newsletter {
  entityId
  name
  alternativeName
  description {
    text
  }
  summary {
    text
  }
  homepageDescription {
    text
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle on Article {
  authors {
    types
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersStyleSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersUseContentSponsorContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    sponsor {
      ...sponsorTagSponsor
      name
      type
      id
    }
    id
  }
  ... on Article {
    sponsorType
  }
  ...helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent
}

fragment hooksArticleDateUtilsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  createdDate
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
}

fragment hooksArticleSeoArticle on Article {
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle
  entityId
  headline
  socialHeadline
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
  images {
    generic_og: style(filter: {style: "og_image_scmp_generic"}) {
      url
    }
    styles(filter: {styles: ["og_image_posties_article", "og_postmag", "og_image_style", "og_image_scmp_analysis", "og_image_scmp_explainer", "og_image_scmp_editorial", "og_image_scmp_fact_check", "og_image_scmp_debate", "og_image_scmp_live", "og_image_scmp_obituary", "og_image_scmp_opinion", "og_image_scmp_review", "og_image_scmp_series", "og_image_scmp_generic"]}) {
      url
      style
    }
    type
  }
  urlAlias
}

fragment hooksContentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        name
        entityId
        description {
          text
        }
        id
      }
    }
    ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  }
  flag
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  ...hooksContentHelperContent
}

fragment hooksContentHelperContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle
  ...helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle
  ...helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle
  flag
}

fragment hooksPaywallPromiseContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
}

fragment hooksTrackPageViewArticle on Article {
  entityId
  publishedDate
  headline
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  entityUuid
}

fragment imageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  ...checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent
}

fragment inlineWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentNewsletterWidgetContent
}

fragment mainImagePrintArticleArticle on Article {
  images {
    title
    url
    isSlideshow
    size_652x446: style(filter: {style: "652x446"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment photoGalleryDialogContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment photoGalleryWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...photoGalleryDialogContent
}

fragment scmpYoutubeContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  publishedDate
}

fragment sponsorTagSponsor on Sponsor {
  name
  type
  images {
    url
  }
}


sections

types

disableOffPlatformContent

sponsorType

published

headline

socialHeadline

authors

images

publishedDate

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

keywords

topics

readingTime

authorLocations

entityUuid

James Legge

There are only so many photos you need of yourself jumping off a junk into the sea, right? Many Hongkongers would disagree, but as summer wears on it's worth looking at the boat-based fun to be had in the city beyond the usual all-day-boozing junk.
While filling a boat with food, friends and a load of drinks is a classic weekend activity, like all good things it can begin to wear thin with overuse. But fear not, because there are a few alternatives - ones which hopefully won't leave you drunk by lunchtime with a tomato-coloured sunburn.
 
Not so ugly Dukling
This is one of Hong Kong's real junks, and a symbol of the city's maritime roots. The recently relaunched Dukling is the only antique fishing junk still sailing in Hong Kong, and does harbour tours several times a day from Tsim Sha Tsui and Central piers.
Built in Macau in 1955, the 42-foot teak vessel was bought by an expat businessman in the 1980s, but eventually fell into barnacle-covered disrepair in Aberdeen Harbour. It was only recently saved from a state of near-dereliction when it was sent to Zhuhai to be restored to its former glory.
Plenty of the original features have been retained, although the boat doesn't rely on wind power anymore; there's an engine in the old fish storeroom, and customer toilets where the sailors' sleeping quarters used to be.

The route takes in the breadth of the harbour, and there's something iconic and quintessentially Hong Kong about those spined scarlet sails and the rattan baskets lining the sides of the boat. The 45-minute trip, which includes a complimentary drink, can get a bit bumpy at times, but it's a great way to see the city from the water, and a fantastic idea for entertaining visitors.
The new arrival has already had the celebrity seal of approval: Chinese-American NBA star Jeremy Lin was on board only last month.
Adults from HK$228, children/seniors from HK$158 (summer price). 1/F Kwok Leung Building, 352-354 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2368 8885 
 
Squids in
For something a little different, there are plenty of squid fishing trips which run as night junks, and late summer is the ideal time for it.
Setting off from Central pier, you take in the east side of the island as the sun sets and the boat heads to Junk Bay to drop anchor. A combination of glow-in-the-dark lures and lights off both sides of the boat attract the squid. Then you play the waiting game, probably with some drinks, which you can bring along yourself.

When you pull the squid in, take care to avoid the black ink that they are likely to squirt.
A generous buffet is included, but save some space because your hosts will cook whatever you catch, fresh from the sea. Never tried squid before? Now's your chance.
From HK$219 per person per trip. Grand Holiday International, 16/F Office Tower One, Grand Plaza, 625-639 Nathan Road, Mong Kok, tel: 2395 0788 
 
Leave the skyscrapers behind
Why drop anchor in just one beautiful place? Groups who want more of a hop-on-hop-off experience would do well to charter a boat to cover the waters of arguably the city's most beautiful corner, Plover Cove.
A good place to start is Sam A, which is nice for a dip near the pier. You can charter a boat for the day, and an afternoon island-hop. Crooked Island (Kat O) is first up, with its six traditional villages.

Then head to Ap Chau - Robinson Island - with its unique geology making a great place for some photos, and Lai Chi Wo, said to be Hong Kong's oldest village that is still inhabited. After this you can take a long cruise through Yan Chau Tong Marine Park to Grass Island and finish your journey at Wong Shek Pier.
Charters available from Fook Lee Tea House, Sam A, tel: 9789 8295. Private boats from HK$1,500 for up to 9 people (itinerary negotiable)
 
Fragrant harbour
A fine-dining experience in the middle of Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter? We kid you not.
Make a reservation at Kea's Kitchen, moored near Aberdeen Boat Club, a HK$10 sampan ride from the main pier. Guests are greeted at the entrance for a drink on deck with the chef before making their way to the beautiful dining area of this custom-built 63ft boat.

There is an intimate indoor room for up to 20 people, and the food has a Southeast Asian flavour. For a very special occasion, you can pay extra for a private party on the water. Private cooking classes are also available.
Set menu from HK$798 per person; private parties from HK$1,000 per person for 20 people. reservations@keaskitchen.com
 
Dive in
Splash Hong Kong's scuba diving junks sail from Sai Kung. The set-up is like most weekend junks, with beer and food provided on the 52-foot teak vessel. But instead of just bobbing around on an inflatable ring, guests can get the full scuba experience, with fully trained instructors in a safe environment.
Strap on your fins and explore life under the South China Sea. And while it might not be as plentiful or colourful as in the Philippines or Malaysia, there's still plenty to keep you occupied. On a good day you can expect to spot clownfish, groupers and seahorses, as well as coral.
Splash Hong Kong, unit 5, 1/F, 58-72 Fuk Man Road, Sai Kung, info@splashhk.com, tel: 9047 4495. Prices from HK$4,000 for up to 31 people.



Done with junks? Five alternative boat trips in Hong Kong

Back to its best: the Dukling on Victoria Harbour. Photo: Jonathan Wong

The deck as it is today.

The boat before restoration. Photos: Jonathan Wong

Above board: table settings (above) and tasty treats (below) at Kea's Kitchen.

Remote view: Kat O, aka Crooked Island with Shenzhen harbour cranes in the background.

Freshly caught squid.

Scuba do: tanks on Splash Hong Kong's dive boat.

Hook, line and inker: night fishing.

The tackle.

Taking the plunge.

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48 Hours

Lifestyle

Travel & Leisure

From squid fishing to scuba diving, and from island-hopping to fine dining, there's more to Hong Kong waters than boozy junk trips


From squid fishing to scuba diving, and from island-hopping to fine dining, there's more to Hong Kong waters than boozy junk trips.


Explore Hong Kong