Hong Kong bids a heartfelt goodbye to Jumbo Kingdom, once the world’s largest floating restaurant

At approximately 7 a.m. on June 14, a fleet of tugboats arrived to tow away the iconic Jumbo Kingdom seafood restaurant from Hong Kong's Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter, located on the southwest coast of the island.

Onlookers gathered along the shoreline to pay their respects and bid a final farewell to the beloved floating restaurant.

Spanning around 260 feet in length, the massive three-story Jumbo Floating Restaurant was renowned for its enormous green and red neon sign, bearing the Chinese phrase 'foon ying gwong lam,' which translates to 'welcome.' At its peak, it stood as part of the largest floating restaurant in the world.

For nearly five decades, it was the flagship vessel of Jumbo Kingdom, which also featured the smaller Tai Pak restaurant boat (dating back to 1952), a seafood tank barge, a 130-foot kitchen boat, and eight ferries that shuttled visitors from two nearby piers.

In recent years, the Jumbo Floating Restaurant was the sole operational vessel of the entire fleet, still welcoming diners.

"Jumbo Floating Restaurant has departed Hong Kong today," confirmed Aberdeen Restaurant Enterprises Limited, the company behind Jumbo Kingdom, in a statement following the completion of the towing operation.

"A true icon for both locals and tourists, Jumbo Floating Restaurant proudly stood in Hong Kong Island's Southern District for 46 years. It has been a great privilege for us to share so many wonderful memories with both local and international guests during this time," the statement continued.

"We extend our heartfelt thanks for your love and support. As we bid farewell, we wish you all the best for a brighter future," the statement concluded.

Honoring a beloved icon

In 2018, Dinogo Travel visited the restaurant – capturing footage of its seafood barge, main restaurant vessel, and the stunning, rarely seen interior, while also speaking with some of its longest-serving staff members.

It was a cherished landmark for Dinogo’s Hong Kong office. On clear days, Jumbo Kingdom was a favorite subject for photography, often visible through the office windows.

While the restaurant had clearly aged since its prime, it still radiated a timeless, glamorous charm from a bygone era.

The approach to the floating restaurant – accessible only by a specially branded Jumbo boat – offered one of the most dramatic entrances to a dining establishment anywhere in the world.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted by a grand Imperial-style façade, with intricate reliefs adorning the walls, large commissioned paintings in the stairwells, and colorful Chinese motifs, including a golden throne in the dining room.

The restaurant was adorned with neon lights, a traditional Hong Kong craft that is slowly fading as the city becomes more modern.

"Jumbo was our go-to spot for dim sum. But beyond that, it held even greater significance for my family, as we hosted our wedding banquets there. It’s a tradition for many of us from fishing or boating backgrounds to celebrate such milestones at Jumbo," says Kenny Chan, founder of Seayou Explorer Travel Limited.

Chan’s parents were part of the fishing village families residing in Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter, and his wife also grew up on a boat.

"I can still vividly recall the thrill I felt as a child whenever I had the chance to hop on a sampan and make my way to Jumbo. The ride wasn’t just about getting from one place to another – it felt like we were heading to a grand palace. No other place in Hong Kong could give us that same sense of excitement,"" says Chan.

The cherished memories from his childhood in the Aberdeen fishing village led Chan to create Seayou in 2018. The company offers private charter services and also runs the Aberdeen 1773 Cultural Tour, which included a visit to Jumbo Kingdom before its closure.

"The cultural, symbolic, and tourism importance of Jumbo is immeasurable. We understand that keeping Jumbo afloat is no easy task, but it’s disheartening to see the government abandon its 2020 revitalization plan and opt to 'not intervene' in Jumbo’s fate,"" says Chan.

A floating wonder

In its prime, the restaurant vessel featured in numerous films, both local and international, including "Enter the Dragon" (with Bruce Lee in front of Tai Pak), "Spider-Man: The Dragon's Challenge," and Stephen Chow’s comedy "God of Cookery."

It was a ‘must-visit’ for celebrities from around the world, including Queen Elizabeth II and the late Prince Philip, Jimmy Carter, Chow Yun Fat, Elizabeth Taylor, and Tom Cruise.

"A floating restaurant of this magnitude is truly unique on the global stage. It symbolizes the deep historical connection Hong Kong has with the sea," says Charles Lai, architect and founder of Hong Kong Architectural History.

"Some may have downplayed its architectural significance, calling it a mere ‘faux’ imperial design, but I beg to differ – it's a fascinating effort to transform a floating vessel into an ancient Chinese palace. Considering the historical context, it was built at a time when imperial Chinese aesthetics were not even embraced in mainland China, where the Cultural Revolution sought to erase 'Old Things.' Jumbo Kingdom thus symbolizes the deep appreciation for traditional Chinese culture among the people of Hong Kong at the time."

The closing chapter of an era

Naturally, its golden era couldn’t last forever.

As the fishing community at Aberdeen Harbour began to shrink, Jumbo Kingdom gradually lost its popularity with both locals and tourists.

The company disclosed that the restaurant had been operating at a loss since 2013. The Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent citywide lockdown delivered the final blow to its viability.

Various proposals were made to save the beloved landmark, but its enormous upkeep costs turned away potential investors.

It seemed that the Hong Kong government was not keen on stepping in either.

The Antiquities Advisory Board determined that ships, unlike land-based buildings, were not covered under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance, meaning Jumbo was not eligible for government protection.

With no 'white knight' to come to the rescue, the decision was made to relocate the Jumbo Floating Restaurant, the main vessel, to an undisclosed shipyard outside of Hong Kong, before its operating license expires in June.

Tai Pak, the smaller and older vessel, along with the recently capsized kitchen boat, are still anchored in the harbor. The future of these boats remains uncertain.

Regardless of what the future holds, Hong Kong has lost one of its most iconic – and gleaming – treasures.