Hong Kong kicks off 2013 with pyrotechnics from land and sea

Hong Kong residents and visitors are in for a treat with the region's "New Year New World" countdown celebrations, which will feature the largest-ever pyrotechnic show in the event's history. "As the New Year approaches, the pyrotechnics will be launched in three tiers – first from Victoria Harbor, then from the focal point of the show, the landmark Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (HKCEC), and finally from various buildings in Wan Chai – highlighting the depth and rippling layers of Hong Kong’s night vistas," the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) said in a press release. Six buildings in Wan Chai, as well as K11 in Tsim Sha Tsui, will be part of the countdown celebrations this year, the release said. Pyrotechnics will be launched from the rooftops of the HKCEC, Harbor Center, Immigration Tower, Revenue Tower, Hopewell Center, and Harcourt House. Apart from the pyrotechnics, various search lights in Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui will create special light effects, as arranged by the HKTB. "Hong Kong's harbor dazzles for most of the year, but on December 31 it really glows. This year, for the first time, the city's midnight fireworks display will journey across town, beginning at the sea and moving along Victoria Harbour to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in Wan Chai," Natasha Dragun wrote in CNN's guide to New Year's Eve destinations around the world. This will be the first time in Hong Kong that pyrotechnics will be launched from both land and sea, HKTB said. The pyrotechnics will also be synchronized with tailor-made theme music produced by renowned music producer and composer Chiu Tsang Hei. Even before midnight, revelers can "make a wish on a shooting star" as a pyrotechnic display will be launched every 15 minutes starting from 11 p.m. The "shooting stars" will come in four colors to symbolize good wishes in four areas: silver for career, green for health, gold for fortune, and red for love. "To accentuate the anticipation, a numerical countdown will be displayed on a huge LED screen on the façade of the HKCEC during the last minute of 2012. And in the final 10 seconds, pyrotechnics in the shape of the numbers 10 to one will shoot from the other five buildings in Wan Chai, further heightening the excitement," HKTB said. As the clock strikes twelve, a choreographed “pyrotechnic musical” lasting eight minutes will begin. Crowds of revelers are set to gather on both sides of Victoria Harbor, where they will have a good view of the eight-minute show. "Pyrotechnics launched from both sea and land will provide both visual stimulation and whistle- and firecrackers-like sound effects to heighten the festive mood. Simultaneously, lasers will be beamed from K11 in Tsim Sha Tsui in co-ordination with the pyrotechnics," HKTB said. The HKTB invited visitors and local residents to enjoy the show from various parts of Hong Kong. They recommended vantage locations such as the Hong Kong Cultural Center Piazza, Avenue of Stars (between the Hong Kong Cultural Center and Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront), the New Central Harborfront, and the area near Central Piers 9 and 10. — Carmela G. Lapeña/BM, GMA News