On our last day here we planned to visit the market and try and catch the symphony of lights show. As our flight home to Heathrow was at 11pm we had to check out of our tiny room
early and then decided to drop our bags off at a locker storage place by the metro. Linda had told us about it so we though it was a good idea, rather than having to lug our packs around with us. We checked in for our flight early too so we didn't have the hassle of doing it when we got to the airport. Once we were a bit lighter minus our bags we headed out to find the market.

Mon kok market

Mong Kok is said to be the largest outdoor shopping destination in Hong Kong. The streets are like a big open-air shopping mall. You can find the Ladies’ Market (Tung Choi Street) here.

We weren’t sure whether this place got the cheapest buys and greatest deals because we had nothing to compare it to. Actually, some of my friends said that it’s relatively pricey in Mong Kok because establishment owners are aware that many tourists visit the place. Regardless we still had a wander around.

Mong Kok is also home to the goldfish market and Mongkok Computer Center (Gadgets, yassss!). If you still have more energy to drain, you might want to drop by the flower market, bird park and Temple Street just nearby.

It was easy for us to walk around the entire area. Although crowded and chaotic, walking along the pedestrian zone was enjoyable. There were so many Sasa and Bonjour stores so I bought a little too many toiletries! If you’re looking for clothes from Hong Kong’s most popular apparel chains, you will find them all here, too.

Go around the block and you’ll find many outside stores selling all sorts of products — bags, shirts, mobile phone cases, decors, souvenir items. You may make “tawad” here because they don’t have fixed prices. Don’t leave your bargaining skills behind you coz you will need them here!

Symphony of Lights Show

Later on we found somewhere to have some food then went to watch the symphony of lights show. At the harbour there was a big crowd of tourists all around. The elevated platform at the harbour was full of the people and entry was closed on that. People were standing all the way from iconic Star Ferry Terminal to the Avenue of Stars to even farther Intercontinental hotel to watch this spectacular, free of cost show of sounds, lasers and lights.

“A Symphony of Lights” has been awarded the world’s “Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show” by Guinness World Records. This nightly spectacle combines interactive lights of 45 key buildings on both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon with musical effects to showcase the vibrancy and glamorous night vista of Victoria Harbour.

A Symphony of Lights is staged every night at 8.00pm. An orchestration of music, decoration lights, laser light displays, and pyrotechnic fireworks, the multimedia light and sound show lasts for about 14 minutes.

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 symbolizes 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, symbolizing 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.

The best viewing locations of this nightly spectacle are along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront between the Avenue of Stars and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the promenade at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wanchai, and from sightseeing ferries in the Victoria Harbour.

The music and narration of the Show is broadcast every night along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront between the Avenue of Stars and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, and the promenade at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai. Broadcast of the soundtrack is in different languages: English on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; Putonghua on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; and Cantonese on Sunday.

This show is one of the biggest attraction for the tourists. You can even book the ferries or the cruises to watch the show. In the day time this waterfront get a deserted look as tourists remain busy exploring other sites in Hong Kong. Cruise ships and ferries remain anchored in a corner of the Harbour City Mall. But everybody seems to run towards Victoria Harbour in the evening to watch this show and then this waterfront becomes alive.The whole spectacle takes 14 minutes to complete, and ends with the announcer issuing a quick farewell. The excited crowd slowly walk away from the show, going on their way to visit the shopping malls, street markets or dine out in the restaurants or to visit the other part of the city. The music at the waterfront becomes silent and the lasers simply die down, but the skyscrapers of Hong Kong remain glowing until the next morning to show the vibrancy, energy and spirit of Hong Kong.

This show was the best thing, we could not afford to missed out in Hong Kong, even for a single day. After all, where else in the world, a city puts on such a spectacular show highlighting the architecture and surrounding landscape each and every night of the week. It is just incredible.

Going home

After we viewed the symphony of lights show we had to go collect our bags and then catch the metro to the airport for our late night flight. I can't believe our incredible year long journey has come to an end. It's been an amazing year away, we have so many memories which will stay with us forever! But it's now time to say goodbye to Hong Kong and then say hello London. We were so looking forward to catching up with our family and friends back home. Now just got to get through the 12 hour flight home.