Friday, January 16, 2009

Symphony of Lights – The World’s Largest Light Show (Hong Kong)

By 8:00pm every evening, darkness has enveloped the Hong Kong sky and the bright lights and advertising of the skyscrapers reflect red, blue and golden stripes onto the waterway. The Star Ferry along with various pleasure boats cruise Victoria Harbour between the “canyon walls” set by the crammed skyline of towering buildings and The Peak.

Right on cue at 8:00pm, the manic shopping and business dealings seem to take a back-seat as Hong Kong launches a dazzling multi-media spectacular of modern music, building lights, searchlights and lasers using the skyline as their stage. Over forty modern buildings along Hong Kong Island and Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon dance with shifting lights and shooting beams choreographed to the electric rhythms of a blend of Chinese and western music. Commentary reveals the quarter-hour show in five themes entitled Awakening, Energy, Heritage, Partnership and Celebration, showcasing the Chinese state of Hong Kong.

Though busy, the best vantage point is Kowloon’s promenade of the Avenue of the Stars, which celebrates over 100 Hong Kong film celebrities in a manner similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Embedded speakers along this walkway ensure that the sound part of the show is clearly enjoyed with the light show (named by the Guinness Book of Records as the “world’s largest permanent light show”).

Don’t miss this mesmerising travel wonder as a kaleidoscope of colours dazzle the sky and reflect through Victoria Harbour to the enchanting composition of Chinese and modern music.

Other Asian Posts
Happy Birthday, Peak Train (Hong Kong)
It’s All in the Stars (Jaipur, India)
A Royal Facade (Jaipur, India)
A Monument to Love (Taj Mahal, India)
From Dead Duck to Bird Heaven (Bharatpur, India)

Notes
Discover more from the show’s designer, LaserVision.

9 comments:

Martin MY said...

Specatuclar almost sci-fi looking at the picture.

I do wonder whether any consideration has been made on the point of light pollution.

Anonymous said...

@martin: It is a stunning sight. It was first offered to Australian cities and they refused and it is now one of the great sights of Hong Kong. I doubt anyone has thought of light pollution!!

Unknown said...

The participating buildings in the show include; AIG tower, Bank of China, Central Plaza, Cheung Kong, CITIC, City Hall, Coliseum, Exchange Square 1, Exchange Square 2, Grand Stanford, Hard Court, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong Shanghai Bank (HSBC), International Finance Centre I, International Finance Centre II, Jardines House, Mass Mutual, Museum of Art, New World Centre, Panorama, Peking Road, Peninsula Hotel, Queens Government Offices, Star House, Sun Hung Kai, The Centre, The Hopewell Centre, The Peoples Liberation Army Headquarters, TST, and Empire Centre. Travel Spot

Mark H said...

@arafuth: There must have been a fair bit of negotiating to get all those buildings to agree - but the result is well worth it.

Anonymous said...

I've always wanted to see a real light show, but never been around where some where held. Wonderful photos!

Anonymous said...

Brilliant! This is the best night scene I have ever seen... not even in Shanghai night! :)

Mark H said...

@cecil: Thank you - it is an amazing show to watch (and hear).

RaidKit said...

Nice moment.....Soon, I will see those moments in real...

Mark H said...

@nurafny: Superb light show. You'll love it when you get to HK.

 
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