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.
The thing about night photos is they need to have decent lighting, and therefore the big skyscraping cities will feature on this list rather than rural farms. Starting with Asia's "World City", Hong Kong.
1. HONG KONG: Victoria Harbour:
For views, you cannot really beat Hong Kong. And I know I'm only basing this on places I've actually seen at night, but I love it. A pretty, clean, shiny harbour reflecting boats, skyscrapers and with mountains in behind, it is hard not to love the busy night time appeal of the Kong. For the best night views, it's either:
(a) Get a tram up to The Peak!
(b) find a mate whose flat has a decent view (I've lived in 3 places in Hong Kong all of which had amazing night views!)
(c) go for dinner in a restaurant on a high floor such as Aqua or Sky 100 . Please note that you have to pay in Sky 100 to get to the top, though Aqua allows you to just pop in for a quick cocktail and enjoy the view.
2. JAPAN: Tokyo:
Although I'm not a fan of Tokyo (for whatever reason I am not sure - I normally love all the big cities), at night it livens up and the amazing lights give the city a whole new buzz. At night I visited Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Roppongi, Shibuya, Shinkiba and Ginza and was impressed by the bouyant array of lights, people doing whatever they wanted (mostly eating and shopping). For a travelling Northern Irishman, I did find Tokyo a little bit crazy and actually haven't even written about my trip there properly yet.
3. AUSTRALIA: Sydney:
What can I say? Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour etc. Sydney at night is fantastic. I spent a couple of years living on the western edge of Sydney and I just loved it. I managed to catch the amazing New Year's Eve fireworks display in 2009. You can climb the Sydney Tower at night for a great view, but seriously I prefer just chilling in a bar or restaurant down by the harbour front.
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. Budapest, HUNGARY:
What? Another European one? Yes, as the view of Budapest from the hills at Gellert is stunning! I was lucky enough to get driven by a local girl up to the hills to view the city by day and night, at night the stunning two sides of Buda and Pest meet, split by a wide river, the gleaming island of Margit Sziget in between and the incredible Budapest Parliament. Don't forget to pop for some sweet Hungarian wine and Goulash after your trip to Gellert Hills!
So there you go - that's my top 5 cities for night views. I tried to mix it up a bit and of course left a few gems out. New York, London, Sao Paulo, Caracas and Macao will have to wait for another time. Get out there and see these amazing top 5 at night!
Don't Stop Living!!!
.
The thing about night photos is they need to have decent lighting, and therefore the big skyscraping cities will feature on this list rather than rural farms. Starting with Asia's "World City", Hong Kong.
1. HONG KONG: Victoria Harbour:
For views, you cannot really beat Hong Kong. And I know I'm only basing this on places I've actually seen at night, but I love it. A pretty, clean, shiny harbour reflecting boats, skyscrapers and with mountains in behind, it is hard not to love the busy night time appeal of the Kong. For the best night views, it's either:
(a) Get a tram up to The Peak!
(b) find a mate whose flat has a decent view (I've lived in 3 places in Hong Kong all of which had amazing night views!)
(c) go for dinner in a restaurant on a high floor such as Aqua or Sky 100 . Please note that you have to pay in Sky 100 to get to the top, though Aqua allows you to just pop in for a quick cocktail and enjoy the view.
2. JAPAN: Tokyo:
Although I'm not a fan of Tokyo (for whatever reason I am not sure - I normally love all the big cities), at night it livens up and the amazing lights give the city a whole new buzz. At night I visited Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Roppongi, Shibuya, Shinkiba and Ginza and was impressed by the bouyant array of lights, people doing whatever they wanted (mostly eating and shopping). For a travelling Northern Irishman, I did find Tokyo a little bit crazy and actually haven't even written about my trip there properly yet.
3. AUSTRALIA: Sydney:
What can I say? Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour etc. Sydney at night is fantastic. I spent a couple of years living on the western edge of Sydney and I just loved it. I managed to catch the amazing New Year's Eve fireworks display in 2009. You can climb the Sydney Tower at night for a great view, but seriously I prefer just chilling in a bar or restaurant down by the harbour front.
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. Budapest, HUNGARY:
What? Another European one? Yes, as the view of Budapest from the hills at Gellert is stunning! I was lucky enough to get driven by a local girl up to the hills to view the city by day and night, at night the stunning two sides of Buda and Pest meet, split by a wide river, the gleaming island of Margit Sziget in between and the incredible Budapest Parliament. Don't forget to pop for some sweet Hungarian wine and Goulash after your trip to Gellert Hills!
So there you go - that's my top 5 cities for night views. I tried to mix it up a bit and of course left a few gems out. New York, London, Sao Paulo, Caracas and Macao will have to wait for another time. Get out there and see these amazing top 5 at night!
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.
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