Inspired by the view of Hong Kong all lit up at night, I thought it would only be right to compile a list of my top 5 cities at night from my travels. These are based on cities with views rather than nightlife or entertainment.
Night photos work best in cities with decent lighting - stating the obvious but this means the likes of Sydney and Tokyo look better at night than say Uyuni in Bolivia. I'll kick off my list with Asia's skyscraping metropolis - Hong Kong!
1. HONG KONG: Victoria Harbour:
Hong Kong at night is totally fantastic. There are lots of places you can go to view it's lit up skyscrapers, most of which are centred around Victoria Harbour, either there on that side of Kowloon, or across the water on Hong Kong Island. With a backdrop of mountains on one side and hundreds of lit up skyscrapers all around, this place provides you with endless shiny, happy moments relaxing, enjoying the view. You have a choice of where to go to see it:
(a) go to The Peak!
(b) get a mate who has a flat with a view (in 3 places in Hong Kong I have stayed, all had decent night views!)
(c) eat your dinner in a top floor restaurant such as Aqua or Sky 100 . Aqua has no entry fee - pop in for a cocktail and enjoy the view. Sky 100 is considerably higher and with a better view but they charge an entry fee.
2. Tokyo, JAPAN:
Strangely Tokyo isn't one of my favourite cities yet at night it somehow gets my vote. By day I found it expensive, too big and just inspiring. At night, outdoor food stalls, relaxed locals and endless lights give it a whole new appeal to the average passer by. I have yet to experience the same contrast in any other city I have ever been, so honestly - check Tokyo out at night and compare it to the daytime. It's an amazing transformation. I visited Ginza, Shinjuku, Roppongi, Shinagawa, Shinkiba and Shibuya at night so I base my experience on those places. The lights of Tokyo at night just need to be seen.
3. AUSTRALIA: Sydney:
It's quite obvious to be honest. Sydney Harbour at night has it. Places such as the Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour etc. at night are just outstanding. I lived in Sydney for a few years and the night view became second nature to me. I caught the incredible New Year's Eve fireworks display in 2009, which is highly recommended. Do it for free as well - chill down by Sydney harbour in a bar admiring all around you.
4. St. Malo in FRANCE:
I'm sure this will be a surprise inclusion to most but I just love St. Malo in Brittany. By night, this quiet port houses nothing more than relaxing tranquility within it's well maintained city walls. Boats come in and out at all hours of the days, the walls light up at times, festival seasons are fantastic and St. Malo hides a charm only those who have been there will ever know about. Get yourself into a restaurant in the downtown, order a few crepes and beers or wines and watch the sunset over the harbour in a world bereft of skyscrapers. Proof that not all cities at night for views have to have skyscrapers or be well lit up. I used to work on boats in and out of St. Malo and my memories of the shining harbour at night will live forever.
As I worked there most of my views of it by night were from the ship. St. Malo has direct ferries to England, Guernsey and Jersey. A well recommended night or two in this special French town.
5. HUNGARY: Budapest:
Budapest is stunning. Get yourself up to a place called Gellert at night for a different type of night view - no lit up commercial advertising boards here. This is Eastern Europe remember and the most prominent feature is the marvellous Parliament which shines onto the river Danube which separates Buda from Pest. Squashed in between is the island of Margit Sziget. All worth seeing from Gellert - and cracking at night. Bring a decent camera and some warm clothes. And try Hungarian sweet wine and a drop of goulasch. It's a top city.
Pretty amazing eh? I know it won't be everyone's top five but this is mine from my travels. I love all these places, but I also love Sao Paulo, Macao and Seoul by night, they'll have to wait for another day...
Don't Stop Living!
.
Night photos work best in cities with decent lighting - stating the obvious but this means the likes of Sydney and Tokyo look better at night than say Uyuni in Bolivia. I'll kick off my list with Asia's skyscraping metropolis - Hong Kong!
1. HONG KONG: Victoria Harbour:
Hong Kong at night is totally fantastic. There are lots of places you can go to view it's lit up skyscrapers, most of which are centred around Victoria Harbour, either there on that side of Kowloon, or across the water on Hong Kong Island. With a backdrop of mountains on one side and hundreds of lit up skyscrapers all around, this place provides you with endless shiny, happy moments relaxing, enjoying the view. You have a choice of where to go to see it:
(a) go to The Peak!
(b) get a mate who has a flat with a view (in 3 places in Hong Kong I have stayed, all had decent night views!)
(c) eat your dinner in a top floor restaurant such as Aqua or Sky 100 . Aqua has no entry fee - pop in for a cocktail and enjoy the view. Sky 100 is considerably higher and with a better view but they charge an entry fee.
2. Tokyo, JAPAN:
Strangely Tokyo isn't one of my favourite cities yet at night it somehow gets my vote. By day I found it expensive, too big and just inspiring. At night, outdoor food stalls, relaxed locals and endless lights give it a whole new appeal to the average passer by. I have yet to experience the same contrast in any other city I have ever been, so honestly - check Tokyo out at night and compare it to the daytime. It's an amazing transformation. I visited Ginza, Shinjuku, Roppongi, Shinagawa, Shinkiba and Shibuya at night so I base my experience on those places. The lights of Tokyo at night just need to be seen.
3. AUSTRALIA: Sydney:
It's quite obvious to be honest. Sydney Harbour at night has it. Places such as the Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour etc. at night are just outstanding. I lived in Sydney for a few years and the night view became second nature to me. I caught the incredible New Year's Eve fireworks display in 2009, which is highly recommended. Do it for free as well - chill down by Sydney harbour in a bar admiring all around you.
4. St. Malo in FRANCE:
I'm sure this will be a surprise inclusion to most but I just love St. Malo in Brittany. By night, this quiet port houses nothing more than relaxing tranquility within it's well maintained city walls. Boats come in and out at all hours of the days, the walls light up at times, festival seasons are fantastic and St. Malo hides a charm only those who have been there will ever know about. Get yourself into a restaurant in the downtown, order a few crepes and beers or wines and watch the sunset over the harbour in a world bereft of skyscrapers. Proof that not all cities at night for views have to have skyscrapers or be well lit up. I used to work on boats in and out of St. Malo and my memories of the shining harbour at night will live forever.
As I worked there most of my views of it by night were from the ship. St. Malo has direct ferries to England, Guernsey and Jersey. A well recommended night or two in this special French town.
5. HUNGARY: Budapest:
Budapest is stunning. Get yourself up to a place called Gellert at night for a different type of night view - no lit up commercial advertising boards here. This is Eastern Europe remember and the most prominent feature is the marvellous Parliament which shines onto the river Danube which separates Buda from Pest. Squashed in between is the island of Margit Sziget. All worth seeing from Gellert - and cracking at night. Bring a decent camera and some warm clothes. And try Hungarian sweet wine and a drop of goulasch. It's a top city.
Pretty amazing eh? I know it won't be everyone's top five but this is mine from my travels. I love all these places, but I also love Sao Paulo, Macao and Seoul by night, they'll have to wait for another day...
Don't Stop Living!
.
About the Author:
You can read more about amazing cities at night here: Top 5 Cities At night and to keep up to date with Jonny Blair's travel stories and hints check out his travel, work and lifestyle websiteDont Stop Living.. Free reprint available from: 5 Best Cities For Night Views.
0 comments:
Post a Comment