Hong Kong’s iconic National Day Fireworks Show is back for the first time since 2019. This year’s 23-minute-long display at Victoria Harbour will kick off at 9pm, and will feature eight scenes and a multi-coloured hydrangea for the first time. So if you want in on the action, we bring you our picks of the best places in Hong Kong to watch the night sky light up on October 1. Remember that many of these areas get crowded pretty quickly, so get there early — preferably with loads of drinks and snacks!
Avenue of Stars — Tsim Sha Tsui
This is the definitive place to watch any fireworks display in the 852 as spectators get to view the show against the iconic backdrop of Hong Kong Island. This area gets crowded pretty quickly, and you’ll barely have any standing room, so get there well before 9pm to get your front-row seat to the spectacular nighttime event. If you aren’t able to get a coveted spot there, walk east along the harbour and pick a place on the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade.
Golden Bauhinia Square — Wan Chai
While this is a popular tourist spot and easy to find, it isn’t a prime fireworks viewing area. And drinks and snacks are usually not easy to come by here. But this should be the place to go if you don’t want to be in the midst of a heaving crowd while watching the fireworks.
Tamar Park — Admiralty
Bring a blanket, food, and drinks and make this year’s fireworks show a picnic experience at this wide, grassy expanse, which will give you a great harbourside view of the event. It’s an easy walk from the Admiralty MTR station, and is a great place to bring kids.
Central Piers — Central
The best place along the Central side of the harbour is near the Star Ferry Terminal or Central Pier 8 as you will get an unobstructed view of the fireworks show. If you want an aerial view of the event from this area, you could even book a seat on the Hong Kong Observation Wheel.
Wan Chai Waterfront Promenade — Wan Chai
This is said to be the longest promenade along Victoria Harbour, so you’re bound to find a place to catch the fireworks here. And as a bonus, you’ll definitely get something to sip and munch on at the Waterfront Carnival, which is on during the long holiday weekend for Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day.
West Kowloon Art Park — Kowloon
If you’re looking for a chilled-out spot to take in the fireworks on the Kowloon side of the Harbour, head to this wide open space. Feel free to pack a stool, pitch a tent, or even bring your pets — if crowds and loud noises don’t scare them too easily, that is.
Lugard Road — The Peak
This is the place to be if you want a bird’s-eye view of the fireworks display. Hike up to The Peak, or head up there via bus or tram. While you’ll have to pay for a ticket to check out the action from Sky Terrace 428, we suggest going to Lugard Road for a free-of-charge view. This is a photographer-favourite spot, though, so you’d do well to get here early.
Kowloon Peak — Ma On Shan
If you decide to head up to Kowloon Peak, also known as Fei Ngo Shan, you will get sweeping views of Hong Kong, but the fireworks will be obstructed by skyscrapers. However, if you’re a hiking enthusiast, this is one of the more adventurous ways to check out the display against the twinkling lights of the city.
East Coast Park Precinct — North Point
This is a bit further out than most people venture for a Hong Kong fireworks show — and it’s smaller than the other spots we’ve mentioned — but it’s also generally not as crowded as the other more popular spaces. Grab a place along the 100-metre-long breakwater that extends into the harbour and try to get a north- or west-facing view.
IFC — Central
This has the advantage of being a wide open space on a rooftop bang in the heart of the city. You can order quick bite from Shake Shack, or even make a run to the supermarket downstairs to get snacks and drinks to enjoy as you watch the show.
Ocean Terminal Deck — Tsim Sha Tsui
(© Harbour City)
Many photography enthusiasts flock to the rooftop of this five-storey extension building of Harbour City to get the best click of the fireworks as it boasts a 270-degree view of the city’s skyline. The mall will also open the Ocean Terminal Rooftop Car park to the public, which they can access if they redeem a charity admission ticket.
Braemar Hill — Eastern District
Braemar Hill is popular among photographers who want to capture a picture-perfect Hong Kong sunset, especially from the Mount Butler viewpoint. It has great west-facing views of the harbour and tends to be secluded if you hike up there, which makes it a great vantage point for a view of the fireworks against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour.
Header image credits: Nick Kwan via Pexels
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