I went to watch the Symphony of Lights near the Victoria Harbour cruise area, expecting the same impressive experience I remembered from years ago. Unfortunately, this time it felt lacklustre . The show was scheduled as usual at 8 PM, but the conditions weren’t ideal—it was a day after a typhoon on 25 Sept 2025 , and the sky was still cloudy. The lasers kept disappearing into the clouds, which really diminished the visual impact. But i can't complain as we are fortunate our flights aren't cancelled. The flights a day earlier are all cancelled. The skyline lights were still beautiful, and the music played faintly in the background, but overall, the show didn’t have the wow factor I remembered. It’s a reminder that weather plays a big role in this experience—clear nights make all the difference.
Nestled in the tranquil hills of Tai Po, Tsz Shan Monastery (慈山寺) is more than just a Buddhist landmark—it’s a sanctuary for reflection and peace. With its towering Guan Yin statue and serene gardens, this monastery offers a rare escape from Hong Kong’s urban rush Getting There We planned to take the 20T minibus , which heads directly to the monastery, but it only runs at limited time slots. To avoid uncertainty, we opted for a taxi from Tai Po Market , which cost about HKD 86 . On the way back, we aimed for the 4:10 PM bus , arriving at 3:56 PM—only to find it full! So, we waited for the next one at 4 :30 PM (last bus) . Mental note: plan your return early if you’re relying on the bus. First Impressions The monastery’s architecture is stunning—Tang and Song dynasty-inspired structures set against lush greenery. The 76-meter Guan Yin statue dominates the skyline, holding a wisdom pearl and vase of pure water, symbolizing compassion and cleansing. Walking the Compassion Path toward h...