China
Destination guide
One of the world’s most extraordinary cities, where rippling mountains, a kaleidoscopic waterfront and futuristic architecture merge with fabulous food, sizzling nightlife and top shopping.
Travel bucket list idea:
Symphony of Lights
Hong Kong, China
Bucket List Experience
Last updated: 05 April, 2024
Every night at 8pm – on the dot – the Hong Kong cityscape lights up in a blaze of colour. The multi-media extravaganza, first begun in 2004, encompasses 39 buildings along both sides of the harbour, using gigantic LED screens, laser beams and flashing lights.
The show is choreographed with a classical music soundtrack, which can be downloaded from the free Symphony of Lights app.
Logistics
Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 4+
Frequency: daily
When: 8pm daily
Duration: 10 minutes
Getting there & doing it
There are a number of fantastic vantage points to enjoy the show from the street, including the Bauhania Square waterfront promenade in Admiralty and the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront in Kowloon, outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and along the Avenue of Stars.
Or you can opt to watch over drinks at one of Hong Kong’s many rooftop bars. Try Sevva – this swish rooftop bar in Central has IMAX views of the HSBC bank building, which puts on a stunning multi-coloured display during the show.
Other, more imaginative locations to watch include taking a night cruise on the Star Ferry, the traditional Aqua Luna junk or from the viewpoint at the top of Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island.
When to do it
The show performs nightly at 8pm, come rain or shine – it even looks good in the rain.
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