February 22, 2013
To see in 2013 in style, on New Year’s Eve the Hong Kong Tourism Board will stage the New Year, New World – Hong Kong Countdown Celebrations; the largest-ever pyrotechnic show in the event’s history.
Lasting eight minutes and featuring both land- and sea-based pyrotechnics for the first time, the show will be synchronised with tailor-made theme music, with pyrotechnics launched in three tiers – Victoria Harbour, the focal point of the show, the landmark Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, and various buildings in Wan Chai – highlighting the depth and rippling layers of Hong Kong’s night vistas.
Beginning at 11pm and at 15 minute intervals, multicoloured ‘shooting stars’ will be launched from the buildings near the harbour front, in a glittering display guaranteed to highlight the stunning architecture of Asia’s most dramatic skyline.
The last 10 seconds of 2012 will then countdown on the façade of the HKCEC, with a numeric pyrotechnic display launched from the rooftops of five other participating buildings on Hong Kong Island. On the stroke of midnight, the choreographed “musical” begins, with pyrotechnics launched from the harbour and buildings simultaneously, accompanied by specially composed theme music and firecracker and whistle-like sound effects to enhance the excitement.
Best vantage points include:
For an idea of what to expect, here’s a clip from last year’s celebrations:
Visit the Hong Kong Tourism Board for more information, including public transport options for reaching the vantage points.
Virgin Atlantic operate daily, direct flights to Hong Kong from London Heathrow.
Maxine is the co-editor of the Virgin Atlantic blog. Travel and music are her joint first loves, and despite having written for Virgin for more years than she cares to remember she still loves nothing more than jumping on a plane in search of new sights and new sounds.
