Stars and Lights (2004-05-18)
If I have to describe Hong Kong in one word, it'll have to be "lights". Pictures of this city in daylight don't speak half the volume of those taken at night. The lit-up giant neon signs that stick way out onto the streets and smaller ones that flash like mad add vibrancy to the night scene. I believe Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour at night offers the most breathtaking picture in the world. To boost tourism, the government puts out a light and sound show called A Symphony of Lights every night from 8pm to 8:18pm. During these eighteen minutes, extra lights and laser beams are used to highlight the key buildings along the harbor. We were lucky to not only see the light show, but also firework display on May 9. That night was hot and humid but it didn't stop the large number of spectators converging on the waterfront. It was quite amazing to see fireworks shooting from rooftops which burst into stars in the sky. I took a few pictures but they don't do any justice to the real thing.
Another brand new tourist attraction which just opened on April 28
is
the Avenue of Stars. It mimics Hollywood's Walk of Fame and
stretches along the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade. At the head of
it stands a sculpture of the Hong Kong Film Awards and plaques with
hand prints of various well-known people in the Hong Kong movie
industry decorate the promenade. There are also tiny lights of
stars embedded on the ground between the plaques to accompany the "big
stars" on the walkway.
The night we went to see a Symphony of Lights, we walked on stars, admired starburst on top of buildings and saw them disappear into the star-filled sky. It was truly a three-star experience.
Back to top
