The 5 best places to watch the Hong Kong New Year Fireworks to ring in 2019
Celebrate the New Year while avoiding the crowds at these five secretly great places to watch the New Year fireworks
There are many quiet spots to spend New Year’s Eve, away from the crowds. One of the best things about New Year’s Eve is that we all have an excuse to celebrate our achievements over the past 12 months and welcome a new beginning with the most important people in our lives.
While watching the spectacular fireworks display on Victoria Harbour with your family or friends is a great way to ring in the New Year, it’s not always easy to find a good spot in crowded Hong Kong.
Young Post checked out five top places to enjoy the countdown and fireworks show, well away from the city’s bustling nightlife.
Signal Hill Garden
Signal Hill Garden, in Minden Row, Tsim Sha Tsui, is a small hill overlooking the harbour. Not many people know about it, but it is one of the best places to spend the first moments of the New Year. There’s even a pagoda, which can protect you from the chilly, possibly rainy, weather forecast for Monday evening.
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Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir Playground
Even though this venue isn't close to the harbour, and your view might be slightly affected by barbed-wire fences and apartment blocks, you can rest assured that the experience will be pretty amazing – the view of the sky above the harbour is clear. It’s quite easy to get there: a three-minute walk from Ho Min Tin station’s A2 exit takes you to the stairs which lead you up to two massive football pitches, and the playground.
Jardine’s Lookout
Experienced hikers and shutterbugs could do worse than head up Jardine’s Lookout in Tai Tam. From the 433-metre summit, you get a magnificent view of the harbour, as well as the opportunity to snap some awesome IG shots of the fireworks set against our city’s amazing skyline. Don’t forget to bring your water bottle to stay hydrated, a flashlight to navigate your way, and enough layers to keep you warm up – it’ll be even chillier up there!
From 2017; Best spots to watch the Hong Kong New Year's Eve fireworks extravaganza from
Hoi Fai Road Garden
Hoi Fai Road Garden in Tai Tsui Kok is a gift of a viewing spot. Located next to the private housing complex One SilverSea, it does not usually attract a lot of visitors. Even though it feels removed from the city, the garden is just a 10-minute walk from Olympic station’s A2 exit.
Gloucester Road
If you are happy to catch a partial view of the fireworks without having to suffocate in the crowd, consider going to Gloucester Road, in Causeway Bay. Walk from Sogo towards the harbour, then turn right once you’ve passed the Excelsior Hotel. Stop when you reach 280 Gloucester Road – just outside the Italian restaurant Wildfire. Pedestrians and restaurant customers usually gather there when the fireworks get exciting. Crowds of tourists don’t usually think to stand here, and it’s close to buses and the MTR so getting home won’t be too tricky.
Other not-too-hot-to-be-crowded spots to try:
Fei Ngo Shan, Devil’s Peak, West Kowloon Cultural District
Edited by M. J. Premaratne