Hong Kong Fireworks
Fireworks were invented in ancient China in the 12th century to scare away evil spirits, as a natural extension of the Four Great Inventions of ancient China of gunpowder. Such important events and festivities as Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival were traditional occurances. Today in Hong Kong they occur in full length at Chinese New Year, National Day (October 1st) and a shorter display on New Years Eve.
Victoria Harbour is the host to the events as the fire works are launched from three vessels. There are some differences between the pyrotechnic displays. The Chinese New Year fireworks held on 2nd night of Chinese New Year is held at 8:00 pm so it includes the nightly laser show that runs from 8:00-8:14 nightly.
The New Years Eve fireworks include pyrotechnic on the roofs on some buildings on the Hong Kong Island. Before 2012 the countdown was held on IFC Two that is now the 2nd tallest building in Hong Kong.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Avenue of Stars is the best place to see fireworks with the city backdrop. For the next 3 years until 2018 it will be an even harder to get to location as construction has closed a section of the Avenue of Stars near the Hotel Intercontinental.
Fireworks displays in Hong Kong are legendary, breathtaking shows of pyrotechnics that light up the Hong Kong skyline over beautiful Victoria Harbour. Chinese New Year fireworks are held on the 2nd night of New Year.
Hong Kong Skylines is a breathtaking most of the year but at festive times of the year they turn it up a notch or two. Christmas is celebrated with neon and bright lights as well as some undefinable X-mas decorations that are truly HK unique. Fireworks are part of bringing in the New Year in Hong Kong as with most cities around the world. Chinese New Year has become the most dependable display as the celebrations of China Day, October 1st, in both 2013 and 2014 where both cancelled for very different reasons. Based on trends we can expect the next July 1st firework display to be held in 2017.
Island or Kowloon Side? As a general rule, I’ve learned the sooner you leave the later you get home. Many roads are closed, bus routes are rerouted and MTR does traffic control so expect to be taking longer than usual to get home. This is the same regardless of location as also applies to the Peak and other remote locations.
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