Posted By: Brad Martin

Sun Nov 12, 2:00 AM ET

HONG KONG (AFP) - Hong Kong's famous harbour has taken on a new look as the storied "Star" ferries began their daily service from new piers after an emotional farewell to the historic wharves that served them for the past 48 years.
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Tourists and locals keen to see the latest addition to harbourside real estate made their way to the new Central Piers, a 600-metre walk from the old downtown docks that closed on Saturday night.

"They're nice and clean, but it takes a right old walk to get here," said British tourist Joan Thirwell, who had made a point of travelling the trademark green and white ferries on the last day of the old pier and first day of the new.

"It can't be good for commuters. It's not really in town anymore," added the company secretary.

The government ordered the closure of the old Central Piers to make way for a new major highway and shopping centre, as part of a huge harbour reclamation project.

The new three-story structure -- modelled on the 1912 version of the terminal, with an Edwardian design -- will feature a public viewing deck, shops and a waterfront restaurant, while a roof-top bar is also planned.

It was the second time reclamation had forced the "Star" Ferry company to move its downtown base further out into the harbour since the service was launched in 1888.

Crowds flocked to the old site on Saturday night to bid the piers farewell, or to protest their demolition.

Opponents urged planners to spare the wharves -- especially the clock tower -- complaining that developers and reclamation had robbed Hong Kong of much of its remaining maritime heritage.

Business was slack at the new piers Sunday morning, with a slow dribble of passengers passing through turnstiles, and coffee shops and other stores practically empty.

Meanwhile, throngs of people still congregated for a last view of the old piers.

"This will be knocked down soon -- it's part of our history and it won't be here for much longer so I'm just getting a last look," said onlooker Jasmine Liu, 25.

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