Noonday Gun in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s Noonday Gun is a longstanding tradition that takes place on the waterfront in Causeway Bay. It started in 1860 during the time of British rule – the exact origin of the daily noonday gun salute is up for debate, but it is claimed that a naval officer, annoyed by a Jardine Matheson official who fired the gun in honour of his boss leaving port (a custom reserved only for naval officers), ordered the company to fire the gun every day at midday from then on as punishment.

As you would expect from the name, the Noonday Gun is fired exactly at 12pm by a guard from Jardine Matheson, and the shot can be heard from miles away. There's a little pomp and ceremony to the event, in keeping with its historic significance. The area remains open for 15 minutes afterwards for visitors to take photos.

Noonday Gun in Hong Kong - one of the highlights of 10 Best Things to Do in Causeway Bay (Read all about Hong Kong here)