A Symphony of Lights (extra info + best view points)

A Symphony of Lights (CN: 幻彩詠香江), or SOL,  is the free open-air light show that illuminates Victoria Harbour at 8 pm every night. The skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island provide the canvas for the spectacle which lasts for 14 minutes. During festivals, the show will also feature fireworks.

The show has an app which you can find on Google Play Store here and also available for Apple. With the APP you can listen to the music that syncs with the light show plus get some extra info. Be sure to download and set it up over wifi in advance.

Best places to watch Symphony of Lights

• Kowloon Public Pier (九龍公眾碼頭) – between the Old Clock Tower and the Hong Kong Museum of Art – get there a little earlier to secure an uninterrupted view.
• Avenue of the Stars
• On a harbour cruise – try Star Ferry’s Symphony of Lights Tour or on the Aqua Luna.
• On a clear night, from the Sky 100 Observation Deck and certain restaurants at Sky Dining 101 at the ICC
• On Hong Kong Island – try Golden Bauhinia Square
• On a clear night, from the top of Victoria Peak which is a spectacular night view even without SOL. Note that from this vantage point you are actually standing behind the show and do miss much of the light spectacle.
• Watch Symphony of Lights from your own hotel room, the right rooms at The Penninsula, Intercontinental, Ritz Carlton, or the Salisbury.

Wikipedia Says

Background

The show is organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and is displayed every night with good weather at 8 pm Hong Kong Time (UTC+8). An orchestration of music, decoration lights, laser light displays, and pyrotechnic fireworks, the multimedia light and sound show lasts for around 14 minutes and was conceptualised, created, and installed by LaserVision.

The best vantage points include the “Avenue of Stars” on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, on the waterfront promenade outside the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and on sightseeing ferries (i.e. Star Ferry) running across the Victoria Harbour.

The Show’s music and narration live at the “Avenue of Stars” and the promenade outside the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai every night. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays the narration is in English, while it is in Mandarin on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and Cantonese on Sundays.

Special pyrotechnic fireworks will be added to the show on the rooftop of participating buildings on both sides of the harbour or stages off at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. They are used on special events or holidays, like Chinese New Year and Christmas.

When Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.3 or above or a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued by the Hong Kong Observatory at or after 3 pm on any given day, the show is suspended for that evening, even if the warning is subsequently rescinded prior to the 8 pm start time. The show may also be suspended in emergencies without prior notice. The show is also suspended during days of mourning and the night of Earth Hour.

Themes

The show comprises five major themes, taking spectators on a unique journey celebrating the energy, spirit and diversity of Hong Kong:

• The first scene “Awakening” begins with flashes of laser lights that give life to a nucleus of light-energy which gradually illuminates participating buildings using an array of dancing lights and rainbow colour. This scene symbolises the genesis and powerful growth of Hong Kong.
• The second scene “Energy” is represented by the display of rising colour patterns and the sweeping of the lasers and searchlights energetically across the night sky, signifying the vibrant energy of Hong Kong.
• In the third scene “Heritage”, traditional lucky red and gold colours are displayed across buildings on both sides of the Harbour, complemented by the introduction of music using Chinese musical instruments, symbolising Hong Kong’s colourful heritage and rich cultural traditions.
• The fourth scene “Partnership” features a display of laser beams and sweeping searchlights scanning across the Harbour, representing an illuminated connection with the opposite side. Beams reach out to symbolically connect the two sides of the Harbour into one greater and unified partnership.
• The finale “Celebration” brings out a powerful rhythmic display of swirling, kaleidoscopic patterns of lights and beams dancing lively across the Harbour. The exciting final scene signifies the celebration of the close partnership between the two sides of the Harbour and represents an even brighter future for Asia’s world city – Hong Kong.

Source: Wikipedia

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