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Hong Kong’s night view is world renowned, so much so that it was named one of the ‘Three Cities with the Most Spectacular Night Views in the World’ by Japan’s Yakei (meaning ‘night view’) Convention & Visitors Bureau. Whether you’re by the sea, on the top of a hill or in the heart of the urban jungle, you will always be mesmerised by the colours of the night in this dazzling city.
Victoria Peak
Victoria Peak, or simply The Peak, is probably the most famous landmark in Hong Kong. From the vantage point on Lugard Road, you can get a spectacular panorama of not only skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island, but also the Kowloon Peninsula and even the cargo piers in Kwai Chung. Another great vantage point is The Peak Tower’s Sky Terrace 428, the highest 360-degree viewing platform in town. Or, take a ride on the newly refurbished Peak Tram between Central and The Peak to take in the mesmerising urban skyline as you ascend or descend the steep slope.
Kowloon Peak
While The Peak is renowned for offering some of the best night views on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peak is its equivalent across the harbour. The hike up the 600-metre-tall mountain — the highest in Kowloon — is challenging, but the stunning view encompassing both sides of the harbour is well worth it. You can even get glimpses of Sai Kung, the ‘Back Garden’ of Hong Kong. Follow the Wilson Trail or MacLehose Trail to reach the summit; or, if you’re short on time or simply don’t feel like hiking, you can also get there by taxi.
Garden Hill
The Peak and Kowloon Peak both offer spectacular vistas of Hong Kong’s iconic skyline, but if you want to see a more local, authentic side of the city, Garden Hill is the place to go. Located in Sham Shui Po, the hill is named after the Garden Bakery situated at its base. It’s a popular morning exercise spot for the neighbourhood, and in the evening, a great place to watch the sun set and the city come to life. The walk up to the vantage point takes only 15 minutes, and you’ll get a peep into the everyday life of locals: the public housing estates and old tenement buildings in Shek Kip Mei and Sham Shui Po, as well as bustling streets such as Nam Cheong Street. And for all the photography enthusiasts out there, this is also an ideal spot to shoot light trail photos.
Want to know more about local life in the past century? Before your hike, visit the YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel, a Grade 2 historic building located at the bottom of Garden Hill. It’s home to the Heritage of Mei Ho House museum, with exhibits documenting the development of public housing and living conditions in Hong Kong from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Tai Mo Shan
A visit to Tai Mo Shan in the New Territories is a trip to cloud nine. As the highest mountain in Hong Kong, the 957-metre peak is often enveloped by mist, earning it the nickname ‘Big Mist Mountain’ in Cantonese. When the fog is low, you may even find yourself standing above a sea of clouds — a truly mesmerising sight. The night view is just as surreal; weather permitting, Tai Mo Shan enjoys panoramic vistas of over 85 per cent of Hong Kong, including Lion Rock, Kowloon Peak, Victoria Peak, and even Ma On Shan.
To get there, take bus number 51 from Tsuen Wan to Tai Mo Shan Country Park and hike for about two hours to get to the top.
West Kowloon Cultural District
Want to see the Victoria Harbour up close? Take a leisurely stroll along the West Kowloon Cultural District promenade, which is located beside the Kowloon Station and is surrounded by cultural landmarks such as Xiqu Centre, M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Feel the sea breeze in your hair as you marvel at the illuminated skyline on the other side of the harbour, featuring iconic skyscrapers like the IFC, Bank of China Tower and Jardine House.
Avenue of Stars
Avenue of Stars on the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade has always been a favourite among visitors. Here, not only can you enjoy breathtaking views of the city’s skyline, but you’ll also find handprints and statues of some of the biggest names in Hong Kong’s film industry: Bruce Lee, Anita Mui, Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Tony Leung to name a few.
Avenue of Stars is also one of the best places to enjoy ‘A Symphony of Lights’, a multimedia light show that takes place every night at 8pm. With the sky as the stage and more than 40 skyscrapers participating, the show illuminates Hong Kong’s skyline with colourful light beams and LED screens. It was named the world’s ‘Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show’ by the Guinness World Records in 2005.
Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park
Located on the site of the former Kai Tak Airport, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Park has transformed into a prominent landmark in Kowloon East. Spanning an expansive 23,000 square metres, the park is home to malls and restaurants, a charming water garden and fountain plaza, as well as a viewing platform facing the Victoria Harbour — the perfect place to enjoy the night view across the sea after dinner. You may get there by bus or minibus from nearby MTR stations.
East Coast Park Precinct
Opened in 2021, the East Coast Park Precinct in Fortress Hill is becoming one of the hottest vantage points on Hong Kong Island. Just a 15-minute walk from Causeway Bay and the Victoria Park, the promenade features a breakwater that extends into the harbour, so visitors can enjoy a unique 360-degree view in the middle of the ocean. There are also large-scale, harbour-themed art installations, which are illuminated at night to company the dazzling city view.
Dukling Harbour Cruise
Looking to take in Hong Kong’s impressive skyline from a different angle? Hop on the Dukling Harbour Cruise for an unforgettable journey across Victoria Harbour. Built in the 1950s, it was originally a fisherman’s dwelling and vessel for catching fish and prawns. Now it is the oldest operating Chinese junk boat in Hong Kong, offering tours that not only showcase the stunning views of the harbour, but also tell stories of Hong Kong’s past and fishermen’s culture.
Photo courtesy of victor.twk
Firefly spotting
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Hong Kong’s countryside provides a different experience after nightfall. The region is home to around 29 species of fireflies that inhabit forests, bushes, grasslands and wetlands. Dancing around in the night, these enchanting creatures create a romantic night view like no other. While fireflies can be observed throughout the year in Hong Kong, the best time to find them are between May to July, as well as November. Try your luck at locations such as Sha Lo Tung in Tai Po, Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve and Tsim Bei Tsui to witness this magical sight.
Responsible ways to enjoy watching fireflies:
Don’t shine your flashlight on the fireflies for a long time
Take away your own garbage
Keep quiet
Don’t catch the fireflies or their larvae
Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach
Picture this: on a quiet evening, you’re comfortably seated, feeling the gentle sea breeze caressing your face. In the distance, the shimmering lights of a magnificent-looking bridge are reflected on the tranquil sea. This is the Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach, a highly regarded holiday spot for locals thanks to its breathtaking sea-to-sky night view. And that bridge? It’s the Tsing Ma Bridge, the second-longest span suspension bridge in the world.
Temple Street
To really see the city after dark, you have to immerse yourself in it. Visit Temple Street in Yau Ma Tei, one of the most well-known night markets in Hong Kong. Amidst vibrant neon signs and the aroma of dai pai dong (open-air food stalls) dishes and delectable claypot rice, the market is teeming with stalls offering a diverse array of goods — and even fortune-telling services!
Sightseeing bus tours
You’ve seen Hong Kong from the mountains, along the harbourfront promenades, and even from the middle of the sea. Now it’s time for yet another unique way to explore the nooks and crannies of the city at night. Hop on an open-top double-decker bus by either Big Bus Tours or Rickshaw Sightseeing Bus. Their night tours cruise through landmarks such as the Clock Tower and the historic 1881 building in Tsim Sha Tsui, Temple Street night market, and West Kowloon Cultural District. As you take in the authentic sights and sounds of Hong Kong’s nightlife, you’ll realise this is a ride you won’t forget anytime soon.
Fancy a drink with the gorgeous views? Visit these 10 rooftop bars in Hong Kong to drink in the view.
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