Noon Day Gun, Hong Kong
The Noon Day Gun is a former naval artillery gun, mounted on an enclosed site located near the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter in Hong Kong. The gun is owned by Jardine Matheson and fired at noon every day. The Noonday gun is a popular tourist attraction.
Originally known as East Point, the Noon Day Gun is now located on a part of Causeway Bay. In 1841, East point was sold by the British colonial government in Hong Kong by public auction. This was the first plot of land to ever be sold in this way by the colonial government and it was purchased by Jardine Matheson. The name, East Point has now been disused, due to a drastic change in the geographical profile of the area caused by land reclamation.
During the 1860s, the private militia of Jardine Matheson used to fire a gun salute in order to welcome Jardine’s arrival by sea. This annoyed a senior British naval officer who declared that such a salute is reserved for government officials and the senior officers of the armed forces only. He ordered Jardine Matheson to fire the gun everyday at noon for perpetuity. This launched the tradition of the Noon Day Gun, firing at noon every day, even today.
Originally known as East Point, the Noon Day Gun is now located on a part of Causeway Bay. In 1841, East point was sold by the British colonial government in Hong Kong by public auction. This was the first plot of land to ever be sold in this way by the colonial government and it was purchased by Jardine Matheson. The name, East Point has now been disused, due to a drastic change in the geographical profile of the area caused by land reclamation.
During the 1860s, the private militia of Jardine Matheson used to fire a gun salute in order to welcome Jardine’s arrival by sea. This annoyed a senior British naval officer who declared that such a salute is reserved for government officials and the senior officers of the armed forces only. He ordered Jardine Matheson to fire the gun everyday at noon for perpetuity. This launched the tradition of the Noon Day Gun, firing at noon every day, even today.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Hong Kong. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Noon Day Gun on Map
Sight Name: Noon Day Gun
Sight Location: Hong Kong, Hong Kong (See walking tours in Hong Kong)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Hong Kong, Hong Kong (See walking tours in Hong Kong)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Create Your Own Walk in Hong Kong
Creating your own self-guided walk in Hong Kong is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Colonial Buildings in Central Hong Kong
Having been a British colony for over a century, Hong Kong boasts a wealth of colonial architecture. The majority of old buildings, some designated national heritage objects, are concentrated in the Central part of the city.
The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware is one such charming colonial edifice that once served as the residence of the Commander of the British forces. Today, it houses a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware is one such charming colonial edifice that once served as the residence of the Commander of the British forces. Today, it houses a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Downtown Introduction Walking Tour
Hong Kong has a long, storied history, that stretches back centuries. However, much of what we associate with today's Hong Kong is more recent in nature.
At the end of the First Opium War, in 1842, the Qing Dynasty ceded control of the region to the British who colonized and westernized it, creating businesses and building roads, schools, and churches. Throughout 155 years of British rule,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
At the end of the First Opium War, in 1842, the Qing Dynasty ceded control of the region to the British who colonized and westernized it, creating businesses and building roads, schools, and churches. Throughout 155 years of British rule,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Kowloon Walking Tour
The most popular part of Hong Kong outside the Downtown area, the Kowloon district is also one of the most densely populated neighborhoods on the planet, packed to the brim with all sorts of shops and restaurants. Situated north of the Hong Kong island, Kowloon can be described as the mirror of Central Hong Kong.
Some of the top attractions in Kowloon are set around the dazzling Nathan Road (a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Some of the top attractions in Kowloon are set around the dazzling Nathan Road (a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Causeway Bay Walking Tour
If you're looking for a taste of Hong Kong's energetic urban life, Causeway Bay is the place to be. Well known for its mega shopping malls and skyscrapers “rubbing shoulders” with rustic streets and picturesque corners, this bustling district is one of the city's most popular shopping and entertainment hubs.
The foremost among its landmarks is Times Square. Despite the name,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
The foremost among its landmarks is Times Square. Despite the name,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
15 Hong Kong Products A Traveller Shouldn't Miss
The image of Hong Kong has been much popular with tourists since the late 1960s-early 70s, in large part due to the Bruce Lee movies, and has remained so after the city was ceded back to China in 1997. Still, despite such popularity, there're quite a few things, originally made in Hong Kong,...
The Seafood Mile, Hong Kong
Cheung Chau is one of a cluster of Islands off the coast of Hong Kong. It has a fishing harbor to the front, which is lit up at night with tiny green, blue and white boat lights. The harbor is overlooked by many restaurants and street food can be bought from many vendors, who line up throwing an...