I was browsing in a camera shop tonight and got thinking about taking photos at night. I suddenly realised that of all the outdoor photos I have uploaded or taken, about 95% of them are daytime! So here's 5 of my favourite cities by night, for views. 
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. Victoria Harbour in HONG KONG:
For views, it's hard to beat Hong Kong. I'm only basing this list on places I've actually seen at night, but I just love Hong Kong's night appeal. What you get is basically a clean, shiny, pretty harbour which reflects boats, skyscrapers and even mountains hidden in behind. You have a choice of views:
(a) head to The Peak!
(b) head to a friend's flat that has a balcony view. Most people in Hong Kong live in Skyscrapers - myself included (three times) and you get a simply amazing view from them.
(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:
I'm actually not a fan of Tokyo (I don't know why - maybe because I'm a budget traveller and I found it expensive but I normally love most of the big cities). However at night Tokyo transforms and an array of typical lit up streets give the city a whole new appeal. At night I toured around all the top spots for example Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shinkiba, Ginza and Roppongi and I was mesmerised by the never ending streets of lights, the locals doing whatever they pleased (most of them were eating and shopping). Tokyo by day is a rip off, a disconnected city which stretches out too far. At night is where it attracts you into its vast array of activities.
3. Sydney in AUSTRALIA:
Sydney has to be in my list - I lived out there for a couple of years and to have the view of Sydney Harbour every night is a traveller's dream. The Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour. A bustling nightlife - you really can chill out a lot in Sydney at night while also enjoying one of the world's top cities. I made it to a New Year's Eve fireworks display before and loved it. Get yourself down to the waterfront and relax with a beer! You will just love it!
4. FRANCE: St. Malo:
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.
I spent a fair few nights in the city itself, but most of my views of the gorgeous St. Malo were from the bow of the ship as we sailed in or out of this splendid French Port! If you live in the south of England, hop on a Condor Ferry and spend a night at least in St. Malo!
5. Budapest, HUNGARY:
Budapest is stunning. Get yourself up to a place called Gellert at night for a different type of night view - no lit up commercial advertising boards here. This is Eastern Europe remember and the most prominent feature is the marvellous Parliament which shines onto the river Danube which separates Buda from Pest. Squashed in between is the island of Margit Sziget. All worth seeing from Gellert - and cracking at night. Bring a decent camera and some warm clothes. And try Hungarian sweet wine and a drop of goulasch. It's a top city.
So that's just a snapshot of my top 5 cities for night views. Of course I've left lots of them out, I can think of New York, London, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Johannesburg and Caracas as other decent cities by night, will maybe do some more night posting in future.
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. Victoria Harbour in HONG KONG:
For views, it's hard to beat Hong Kong. I'm only basing this list on places I've actually seen at night, but I just love Hong Kong's night appeal. What you get is basically a clean, shiny, pretty harbour which reflects boats, skyscrapers and even mountains hidden in behind. You have a choice of views:
(a) head to The Peak!
(b) head to a friend's flat that has a balcony view. Most people in Hong Kong live in Skyscrapers - myself included (three times) and you get a simply amazing view from them.
(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:
I'm actually not a fan of Tokyo (I don't know why - maybe because I'm a budget traveller and I found it expensive but I normally love most of the big cities). However at night Tokyo transforms and an array of typical lit up streets give the city a whole new appeal. At night I toured around all the top spots for example Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shinkiba, Ginza and Roppongi and I was mesmerised by the never ending streets of lights, the locals doing whatever they pleased (most of them were eating and shopping). Tokyo by day is a rip off, a disconnected city which stretches out too far. At night is where it attracts you into its vast array of activities.
3. Sydney in AUSTRALIA:
Sydney has to be in my list - I lived out there for a couple of years and to have the view of Sydney Harbour every night is a traveller's dream. The Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour. A bustling nightlife - you really can chill out a lot in Sydney at night while also enjoying one of the world's top cities. I made it to a New Year's Eve fireworks display before and loved it. Get yourself down to the waterfront and relax with a beer! You will just love it!
4. FRANCE: St. Malo:
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.
I spent a fair few nights in the city itself, but most of my views of the gorgeous St. Malo were from the bow of the ship as we sailed in or out of this splendid French Port! If you live in the south of England, hop on a Condor Ferry and spend a night at least in St. Malo!
5. Budapest, HUNGARY:
Budapest is stunning. Get yourself up to a place called Gellert at night for a different type of night view - no lit up commercial advertising boards here. This is Eastern Europe remember and the most prominent feature is the marvellous Parliament which shines onto the river Danube which separates Buda from Pest. Squashed in between is the island of Margit Sziget. All worth seeing from Gellert - and cracking at night. Bring a decent camera and some warm clothes. And try Hungarian sweet wine and a drop of goulasch. It's a top city.
So that's just a snapshot of my top 5 cities for night views. Of course I've left lots of them out, I can think of New York, London, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Johannesburg and Caracas as other decent cities by night, will maybe do some more night posting in future.
Don't Stop Living!!!
.
About the Author:
You can learn 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 advice check out his travel, work and lifestyle websiteDont Stop Living.. Check here for free reprint license: Top 5 Cities For Night Views.
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