Hong Kong is famed for its towering, concrete jungle and amazing harbour panorama that any photographer would love; however, there’s so much more to the vibrant city to capture, if you only know where to look. The city, without a doubt, contains several breathtaking locations for photography, so a little planning is necessary to get the best shots. Most stay within Hong Kong Island, which has several notable locations such as the central business district, with its skyscrapers and multi-hue double-deckers and trams crisscrossing the streets, to the Victoria Peak, which offers spectacular views over the city and harbour.
However, head over to Kowloon, an area known for its lively markets, shopping and the location of several 3 star hotels in Hong Kong, such as the Travelodge Hotels Asia, for example. Kowloon Peak, Hong Kong’s second highest peak, provides a bird’s eye view of the residential area of Kowloon, and the sight of the district covered by clouds is said to be amazing. Further north is the tallest peak, Tai Mo Shan. Located in the Tai Mo Shan Country Park, the peak has an elevation of 957m, making it perfect to catch both sunrise and sunset.
For beautiful coastal shots, see Shek O beach; the unspoiled beach is ideal to capture a seascape with the hills, rolling in the background. Plus, the hills block a fair amount of light pollution from the city, enough to catch the Milky Way on a clear day. Another unique factor is the algae bloom that takes place in spring. The bloom is caused by a special type of algae that releases blue light. The ghostly sparkle of soft blue light coming up through the water sets the scene for some breathtaking photography.
There are just a few locations among dozens to see in Hong Kong, do travel out into the country side or visit the many islands and get a taste of traditional fishing villages. Keep in mind, the best time for photography is between spring and summer. The winter monsoon that follows brings smog and more from China, thus polluting the skies and decreasing visibility.
