A bustling metropolis in every sense of the word Hong Kong city is a global player with skyscrapers, speedy highways and monumental man-made structures to boot. Often compared to New York City due to its decidedly modern urban landscapes Hong Kong’s skyline is an equally mesmerizing attraction with a myriad of towering structures reaching up to the heavens. With a large number of stunning skyscrapers concentrated in one small geographic space the skyline of Hong Kong differs from its western counterparts in terms of skyscraper density and the island topography. Visible from Hong Kong Island and Kowloon visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the breathtaking skyline across Victoria Harbour can do so during daytime hours although seasoned visitors to the island prefer to witness the skyline in all its glory once the Symphony of Lights spectacle kicks off at 8pm every night.
As a state-of-the-art multimedia extravaganza the Symphony of Lights show sees the more than 37 of Hong Kong Island’s tallest structures lit up in a myriad of colors that create choreographed patters on the structure’s surface in a well-orchestrated light and laser spectacle. Located on either side of Victoria Harbour the structures truly highlight the beauty of the island’s skyline against the night sky in a show that is reportedly produced at a cost of HK$ 44 million annually.
Employing a wide variety of lighting equipment the buildings are not only lit up using lights from within the building but a variety of illumination sources that includes projection lights, searchlights, LEDs and laser beams. On red letter days in the Hong Kong calendar the Symphony of Lights adds further dramatic flare to the nightly show by including an impressive fireworks display as well.
Operational since 2004 the audio visual spectacular takes place when good weather prevails over the city and the light show is not hampered by fog, rain or cloudy conditions. Lasting a mere 15 minutes the multimedia show which includes music and narration is visible from the Avenue of Stars at Tsim Sha Tsui seafront as well as the promenade located nearby. Those hoping to catch the narration in English should view the show on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays as the narration is in Cantonese and Mandarin on other days.
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