Two years ago I wrote a review of the Symphony of lights on TripAdvisor entitled “Light show? What light show? Has it started already?” You can get a sense of what I thought about the show from just the title. Even though I had booked a great room in the Intercontinental Hotel, on a high floor, specifically to have a great view of the show, I found it… underwhelming. With much “flickering” of lights on the buildings before and after the show, it made it ridicule to even determine when the show was actually running. Being in Hong Kong again, I decided to give it another go in 2018. I had read that the whole program had been upgraded in late 2017, with a new music program and better coordination of lights. My research into the best location from which to watch it yielded several suggestions, including the Avenue of Stars (currently closed for renovations), and the Promenade. I opted for the platform immediately before the Avenue of Stars, but minutes before the 8pm kickoff I discovered that the music would not be played out loud there. A security guard suggested I go to the Tsim Sha Tsui Pier just 2 minutes away. I rushed there, and was delighted to find a great spot just a minute or two before the show.
The show: I still won’t call it “Amazing”, but it is definitely greatly improved. With the new orchestration, and better lighting effects, you will have no trouble noting the start and conclusion of the show. I found it entertaining, and definitely worth a visit. I’ll be heading down there the next time I am in town.
Why go?
- It is a nice piece of music, designed especially for this production.
- The skyline of Hong Kong island in the evening is worth viewing, so seeing it at 8pm during the show greatly enhances the experience.
What you need to know:
- The Symphony of Lights has been performed almost every evening since 2004.
- The show starts at 8pm and lasts for about 10 minutes
- The show is free.
- The participating buildings are on both shores (Hong Kong island and Kowloon), however, since the Hong Kong island buildings are more interesting, the better vantage point is on the Kowloon side, looking at Hong Kong.
- The best vantage point (my opinion and that of the creator of the show), is the Tsim Sha Tsui Pier, just in front of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, where you have an unobstructed view and the music is played live over outdoor speakers.
- You can also watch the show from a boat in the harbour, although I imagine that might be a bit like watching a movie from one of the rows closest to the screen.
- The show was pretty boring before. In late 2017, Artists in Motion were given a three year contract to amp up the production. They produced an original symphony production and ramped up the infrastructure for the display on 46 buildings. They will be making more improvements during their contract.
- Artists in Motion have produced a video about the show on YouTube. With lots of scene changes, clips of the orchestra and infrastructure, and closeups of many buildings, its a bit more exciting than your experience will be from a static vantage point, but it gives you a nice idea about the show.
- The music is also available through an app which can be downloaded on Android or iOS devices (links can be found on this www.tourism.gov.hk webpage)
- The show is canceled on those days where the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal is raised to No. 3 or above or Red/Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued at or after 3pm on the day of the show. Even if the warnings are lowered by 8pm, the show will not be staged. Check this link, if you are concerned about a cancellation.
The following pictures were taken from the Tsim Sha Tsui Pier (2018) and the Intercontinental Hotel (2016):
The Hong Kong Symphony of Lights - 2016
The skyscrapers which line Hong Kong and Kowloon islands are lit throughout the evening, but specifically at 8pm a special show called "A Symphony of Lights" orchestrates the lights as a musical production is played.
This picture was taken from the Intercontinental Hotel before the show was revamped in 2017.
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Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Pictures Taken: 5/2016
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#HongKong #SymphonyOfLights #ASymphonyOfLights #TsimShaTsui #HongKongSkyline #HongKongCulturalCenter #Lightshow #HongKongHarbor #HongKongSymphonyOfLights #IntercontinentalHotel #IntercontinentalHotelSymphonyoflights
The Hong Kong Symphony of Lights - 2016
The skyscrapers which line Hong Kong and Kowloon islands are lit throughout the evening, but specifically at 8pm a special show called "A Symphony of Lights" orchestrates the lights as a musical production is played.
This picture was taken from the Intercontinental Hotel before the show was revamped in 2017.
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Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Pictures Taken: 5/2016
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#HongKong #SymphonyOfLights #ASymphonyOfLights #TsimShaTsui #HongKongSkyline #HongKongCulturalCenter #Lightshow #HongKongHarbor #HongKongSymphonyOfLights #IntercontinentalHotel #IntercontinentalHotelSymphonyoflights
The Hong Kong Symphony of Lights - 2016
The skyscrapers which line Hong Kong and Kowloon islands are lit throughout the evening, but specifically at 8pm a special show called "A Symphony of Lights" orchestrates the lights as a musical production is played.
This picture was taken from the Intercontinental Hotel before the show was revamped in 2017.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
.
Pictures Taken: 5/2016
.
#HongKong #SymphonyOfLights #ASymphonyOfLights #TsimShaTsui #HongKongSkyline #HongKongCulturalCenter #Lightshow #HongKongHarbor #HongKongSymphonyOfLights #IntercontinentalHotel #IntercontinentalHotelSymphonyoflights
The Hong Kong Symphony of Lights - 2016
The skyscrapers which line Hong Kong and Kowloon islands are lit throughout the evening, but specifically at 8pm a special show called "A Symphony of Lights" orchestrates the lights as a musical production is played.
This picture was taken from the Intercontinental Hotel before the show was revamped in 2017.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
.
Pictures Taken: 5/2016
.
#HongKong #SymphonyOfLights #ASymphonyOfLights #TsimShaTsui #HongKongSkyline #HongKongCulturalCenter #Lightshow #HongKongHarbor #HongKongSymphonyOfLights #IntercontinentalHotel #IntercontinentalHotelSymphonyoflights
The Hong Kong Symphony of Lights - 2016
The skyscrapers which line Hong Kong and Kowloon islands are lit throughout the evening, but specifically at 8pm a special show called "A Symphony of Lights" orchestrates the lights as a musical production is played.
This picture was taken from the Intercontinental Hotel before the show was revamped in 2017.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
.
Pictures Taken: 5/2016
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#HongKong #SymphonyOfLights #ASymphonyOfLights #TsimShaTsui #HongKongSkyline #HongKongCulturalCenter #Lightshow #HongKongHarbor #HongKongSymphonyOfLights #IntercontinentalHotel #IntercontinentalHotelSymphonyoflights
Aqua luna, Junk boat during the Symphony of Lights
The skyscrapers which line Hong Kong and Kowloon islands are lit throughout the evening, but specifically at 8pm a special show called "A Symphony of Lights" orchestrates the lights as a musical production is played.
This picture was taken from the Tsim Sha Tsui Pier in front of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
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Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Pictures Taken: 8/2018
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#HongKong #SymphonyOfLights #ASymphonyOfLights #TsimShaTsui #HongKongSkyline #HongKongCulturalCenter #Lightshow #HongKongHarbor #HongKongSymphonyOfLights #ClockTower #Aqualuna #RedSailboat #AquaLunaHongKong #JunkBoat
Tsim Sha Tsui Pier
The clock tower, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the UBS skyscraper at night, just after the Symphony of Lights.
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Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Pictures Taken: 8/2018
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#HongKong #SymphonyOfLights #ASymphonyOfLights #TsimShaTsui #HongKongSkyline #HongKongCulturalCenter #Lightshow #HongKongHarbor #HongKongSymphonyOfLights #ClockTower
A selfie in front of the Hong Kong skyline. The picture was taken from the Tsim Sha Tsui Pier in front of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on Kowloon island.
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Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Pictures Taken: 8/2018
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#HongKong #SymphonyOfLights #ASymphonyOfLights #TsimShaTsui #HongKongSkyline #HongKongCulturalCenter #Lightshow #HongKongHarbor #HongKongSymphonyOfLights
The Hong Kong Symphony of Lights
The skyscrapers which line Hong Kong and Kowloon islands are lit throughout the evening, but specifically at 8pm a special show called "A Symphony of Lights" orchestrates the lights as a musical production is played.
This picture was taken from the Kowloon Public Pier in front of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
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Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Pictures Taken: 8/2018
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#HongKong #SymphonyOfLights #ASymphonyOfLights #TsimShaTsui #HongKongSkyline #HongKongCulturalCenter #Lightshow #HongKongHarbor #HongKongSymphonyOfLights
The Hong Kong Symphony of Lights
The skyscrapers which line Hong Kong and Kowloon islands are lit throughout the evening, but specifically at 8pm a special show called "A Symphony of Lights" orchestrates the lights as a musical production is played.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
.
Pictures Taken: 8/2018
.
#HongKong #SymphonyOfLights #ASymphonyOfLights #TsimShaTsui #HongKongSkyline #HongKongCulturalCenter #Lightshow #HongKongHarbor #HongKongSymphonyOfLights
The Hong Kong Symphony of Lights
The skyscrapers which line Hong Kong and Kowloon islands are lit throughout the evening, but specifically at 8pm a special show called "A Symphony of Lights" orchestrates the lights as a musical production is played.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
.
Pictures Taken: 8/2018
.
#HongKong #SymphonyOfLights #ASymphonyOfLights #TsimShaTsui #HongKongSkyline #HongKongCulturalCenter #Lightshow #HongKongHarbor #HongKongSymphonyOfLights
The Hong Kong Symphony of Lights
The skyscrapers which line Hong Kong and Kowloon islands are lit throughout the evening, but specifically at 8pm a special show called "A Symphony of Lights" orchestrates the lights as a musical production is played.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
.
Pictures Taken: 8/2018
.
#HongKong #SymphonyOfLights #ASymphonyOfLights #TsimShaTsui #HongKongSkyline #HongKongCulturalCenter #Lightshow #HongKongHarbor #HongKongSymphonyOfLights
The Hong Kong Symphony of Lights
The skyscrapers which line Hong Kong and Kowloon islands are lit throughout the evening, but specifically at 8pm a special show called "A Symphony of Lights" orchestrates the lights as a musical production is played.
.
Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
.
Pictures Taken: 8/2018
.
#HongKong #SymphonyOfLights #ASymphonyOfLights #TsimShaTsui #HongKongSkyline #HongKongCulturalCenter #Lightshow #HongKongHarbor #HongKongSymphonyOfLights
