Hoa Mai

Hong Kong dazzles visitors with its bright lights, luxurious shops and vibrant nightlife

Hong Kong has long been one of the most prosperous harbor cities in the world, attracting traders and visitors from both East and West. The city glistens with the lights of skyscrapers that seem to rise out of the sea, looking both futuristic and romantic. Every night at 8pm in Victoria Harbor a light and music show lasts for 15 minutes. The area between Tsim Sha Tsui Harbor and the Hall of Stars is the best place to watch this spectacle, which the “Guinness book of World Records” lists as the largest light show in the world. Sublime lights blaze from over 40 high rises on both sides of the harbor accompanied by swelling, youthful music.

Turning to the Hall of Stars, which was modeled after Hollywood’s Hall of Fame, visitors will find the handprints of Hong Kong and Chinese celebrities. Dubbed the “Hollywood of Asia”, the Hall of Stars is home to lifelike statues of famous stars, including an image of the legendary martial arts actor Bruce Lee.

The most notable site in Victoria Bay is the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, which resembles a bird spreading its wings to soar into the sky. This building has won various awards thanks to its ingenious design and construction techniques and has hosted many important ceremonies, including the 1997 handover ceremony to return Hong Kong to China, after which the city was declared a Special Administrative Region. At that time, the Bauhinia Blakeana flower was selected as the official flower of the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong and a statue named the Golden Bauhinia was erected. This statue was a gift from the central government to mark the historic return of Hong Kong.

The harbor city is at its best at night, alive with energy and neon lights. In a city known for good shopping, Causeway Bay is the best place to shop. The working class neighborhood of Sham Shui Po is full of colorful markets, with every square meter of space devoted to trade. From dawn until late at night, the shops and market stalls are lit and busy. One of the most vibrant entertainment areas in Hong Kong is Lan Kwai Fong, a narrow square sandwiched between D’Aguilar Street and Lan Kwai Fong Lane. Despite its small space, this area boasts over 90 restaurants and bars with patrons spilling out into the streets. Popular with expats and tourists, Lan Kwai Fong has become a symbol of Hong Kong’s raucous nightlife.

Visitors are dazzled by the luxury and lights of Hong Kong. Day or night, the city’s malls, markets and skyscrapers shine, keeping this city forever young.