Hong Kong Lightbox

Hong Kong’s New Year Countdown Celebrations to be held once again on the New Year’s Eve (31 December 2009). The countdown event, presented by International Finance Centre (ifc) and supported by Henderson Land Development Company Limited and Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited, will increase the number of pyrotechnic firing points by 30%, with the number of charges increasing from 6,000 to 9,000. For the first time, pyrotechnics will be arranged on the northern facade of Two ifc right in front of Victoria Harbour to create 10 different patterns and three-dimensional visual effects. Another new attempt is placing 20 sets of powerful searchlights adjacent to both sides of Two ifc to enhance the lighting effect.

The actual countdown will commence one minute before midnight on 31 December 2009. To lead spectators in a synchronised community countdown, gigantic numerical display in LED lights, along with pyrotechnic effects, will appear on the northern façade of Two ifc. As the clock strikes midnight, Two ifc and nine other buildings on Hong Kong Island will put on a four-and-a-half-minute choreographed musical pyrotechnic show, which will feature a theme song specially created for the occasion by renowned composer Mr Peter Kam.

Leveraging on the New Year Countdown Celebrations, the HKTB is collaborating with the local travel trade on related travel products, such as New Year Countdown Sightseeing Tour and New Year Countdown Harbour Cruise, to create business opportunities for trade partners.
Visitors and local residents can also enjoy the countdown at various locations in Hong Kong, including the harbourfront stretching from Avenue of Stars to Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade, the Expo Promenade around the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and the vicinity of Central piers on Hong Kong Island.

Vantage points:

Kowloon Side

- Along Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront between the Avenue of Stars and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (spectators can listen to the theme song broadcast)
How to get there: MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit J, and follow the signs.
- Along West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade
How to get there: MTR Jordan Station Exit C1 or MTR Kowloon Station Exit A. Then take a taxi.

Hong Kong Side

- Along the promenade at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai
(spectators can listen to the theme song broadcast)
How to get there: MTR Wan Chai Station Exit A5. Follow signs to Golden Bauhinia Square by covered walkway. About a 15-minute walk.
- Area around Central Piers
How to get there: MTR Hong Kong Station Exit E1. Walk through ifc mall to Central Piers.

Victoria Harbour

- Join a New Year Countdown Cruise and watch the show from a boat in the harbour

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Related Stock Photo

• A Symphony of Lights New Year Countdown – 2008
• Hong Kong’s New Year Countdown Celebrations 2009

All the photos, pictures and images are copyright by Hong Kong Lightbox. © All rights reserved.

Hong Kong’s New Year Countdown Celebrations” to be held once again on the New Year’s Eve (31 December 2008). The countdown event, presented by International Finance Centre (ifc) and supported by Henderson Land Development Company Limited and Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited, will be upgraded with extended pyrotechnic display.

Music and dance performances will kick start the event at 11:15pm on the viewing deck of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The HKTB will arrange projection of the performances and the subsequent pyrotechnic show onto the facade of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre for spectators’ enjoyment. To further heighten the party atmosphere, spectators will be given inflatable cheering sticks specially designed for this event. In addition, local residents are encouraged to participate in the video and photograph competition organised by the HKTB to capture the spectacular pyrotechnic display of the countdown event.

The actual countdown will commence one minute before midnight on 31 December 2008, with gigantic numerical countdown display in LED lights, together with pyrotechnic effects, to be shown on the facade of Two ifc facing the harbour. When the countdown reaches “0”, a five-minute choreographed musical pyrotechnic show will continue on the two sides of Two ifc and the rooftop of nine other designated buildings on Hong Kong Island. Renowned composer Mr Peter Kam will compose a theme song especially for the event. The song will be performed by local singers to complement the pyrotechnic display.

Visitors and local residents can enjoy the countdown at various locations. The best vantage points include the waterfront area from the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade, the Avenue of Stars to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and on Kowloon side, as well as the Expo Promenade around the Golden Bauhinia Square and around the Central piers on Hong Kong Island.

* Two ifc (the tallest building of Hong Kong), Jardine House, HSBC Building, Cheung Kong Center, Queensway Government Offices, CITIC Tower, Harcourt House, Hopewell Centre, Central Plaza, Sun Hung Kai Centre

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All the photos, pictures and images are copyright by Hong Kong Lightbox. © All rights reserved.