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:
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) go 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) head for dinner in a high restaurant such as Aqua or Sky 100 . Please note that Sky 100 costs to get to the top, whereas Aqua you can just pop in for a cocktail, which I have done a couple of times!
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. Sydney, AUSTRALIA:
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, FRANCE:
This might seem like an odd choice, and actually even for me it is, but I always feel like I leave Europe out of my travel stories (despite the fact I come from Northern Ireland!) so St. Malo at night has so many fond memories for me. Best of all, I got paid to watch St. Malo by night as I worked there numerous times! This gorgeous old style walled city in on the Brittany Coast in the north of France. At night, the local streets serve up amazing crepes, lush French wine and have a lively yet respectable vibe about them.
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 in 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!
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:
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) go 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) head for dinner in a high restaurant such as Aqua or Sky 100 . Please note that Sky 100 costs to get to the top, whereas Aqua you can just pop in for a cocktail, which I have done a couple of times!
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. Sydney, AUSTRALIA:
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, FRANCE:
This might seem like an odd choice, and actually even for me it is, but I always feel like I leave Europe out of my travel stories (despite the fact I come from Northern Ireland!) so St. Malo at night has so many fond memories for me. Best of all, I got paid to watch St. Malo by night as I worked there numerous times! This gorgeous old style walled city in on the Brittany Coast in the north of France. At night, the local streets serve up amazing crepes, lush French wine and have a lively yet respectable vibe about them.
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 in 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!
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 excellent cities at night here: Top 5 Cities At night and to keep up to date with Jonny Blair's travel tales and hints check out his travel, work and lifestyle websiteDont Stop Living.
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