Duk Ling

The Duk Ling is a Chinese Junk ship operating in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong.

Not to be confused with duckling.

Duk Ling
Duk Ling 鴨靈號 in 2004
History
 Hong KongHong Kong
Name: 鴨靈號 (Duk Ling)
Owner: Detours Limited[1]
Launched: 1955[2]
General characteristics
Tonnage: 50 tonnes[2]
Length: 70 ft (21 m)[3]
Complement:
  • 30 passengers
  • Unknown crew[1]
Duk Ling
Traditional Chinese鴨靈號
Simplified Chinese鸭灵号
Literal meaningClever Duck[4]

History

The Duk Ling was built in Macau around 1955, and was subsequently used as a fishing boat.[1] In 1985 it was purchased by Pierric Couderc,[5] and underwent 3 years of restoration back to its original design. It was owned by Detours Limited, which was in turn owned by China Pub Company HK Ltd.[1] It has a licensed capacity of 36 passengers.[4] It is claimed to be the last authentic junk in Hong Kong, the other two junks operating in Hong Kong - the Aqua Luna and the V - being replicas of junks purpose-built for tourism in the 1990s and early 21st century.[6]

The Duk Ling foundered and sank in Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter in September 2014 due to strong winds and the storm surge from Typhoon Kalmaegi, which passed by Hong Kong. It was raised from an 18-meter depth in late December. Hong Kong-based yacht traders Yu Lik-hang and his aunt Cheng Ching-wah purchased and refurbished the salvaged hull at an estimated cost of 10 million yuan. The Duk Ling was officially relaunched on 13 June 2015.

Current use

Until 2014, the Duk Ling was chartered by the Hong Kong Tourism Board for two days a week, for sightseeing tours in Victoria Harbour,[1] which were only available to tourists as part of its "Cultural Kaleidoscope" program. Sailings were initially offered free of charge, but a $50 charge was introduced, later increased to HK$100.[7] It sailed between Kowloon Public Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui and Central Pier 9.[1] The Hong Kong Tourist Board trips ended in 2014.[8]

Tours resumed 13 June 2015 after a "Set Sail Ceremony." The cost of a 45-minute tour of Victoria Harbour has increased to HK$320.[9] and admission is no longer limited to foreign tourists.

It is also used for cruises to Lamma Island, Lei Yue Mun and Po Toi, as well as weddings and wedding receptions. It has been featured in film versions of Around the World in 80 Days, Tai-Pan,[4][6] and Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story as well as advertisements for Hong Kong.[10]

In October 2020, the Dukling's owner Hazen Tang said that it is struggling due to the COVID-19 downturn. Its biggest market was overseas tourists but has now swapped its focus onto local Hong Kong citizens during the Covid-19 pandemic. New routes have been extended beyond cruising around Victoria Harbour to local residential areas, and the onboard commentary has also changed.[2]

See also

References
  1. "Harbour Tours - Hong Kong Extras". Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  2. Justin Harper (9 October 2020). "Hong Kong's last authentic junk in troubled waters". BBC News.
  3. "Iconic junk Aqua Luna launches sailings around Stanley". 15 May 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  4. "Duk Ling - Icon of Hong Kong (Experience)". Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  5. "Duk Ling - Icon of Hong Kong (History)". Archived from the original on 15 July 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  6. "DUK LING – Enjoying an Authentic Chinese Junk Ride in Hong Kong Victoria Harbor". NextStopHongKong Travel Guide. 28 August 2011.
  7. "Riding a Hong Kong Junk". Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  8. "Harbour Tours - Hong Kong Extras". Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  9. "Duk Ling Booking". Archived from the original on 14 June 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  10. "China Pub sets sail for Aim". The Daily Telegraph. 16 October 2007. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
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