Noonday Gun
A beloved tradition
A loud ‘bang’ echoes from the Causeway Bay waterfront at precisely 12pm every day. It’s the Noonday Gun, a three-pound artillery gun mounted overlooking the harbour, which has been fired at this time every day since the 1860s. This tradition dates back to colonial days when Jardine Matheson owned a number of large warehouses in the area that is now Causeway Bay. Back then, the company had a policy of firing a one-gun salute from this location every time the head of Jardine sailed into Hong Kong. The story goes that a Royal Naval Officer, who was new to Hong Kong, took offence at the practise because gun salutes were meant only for military commanders, not for civilians, no matter how important. As punishment, the Officer required that Jardine fire the gun every day at noon to help the public keep track of the time, and the tradition has continued more than 150 years to the present day.
More Stories
Causeway Bay: Then & Now
Feature
Causeway Bay embodies the many facets of Hong Kong – the fast pace, fascinating contrasts and dynamic energy. From the city’s very beginning to the present day, its diversity and vibrancy makes it a beloved neighbourhood.
-
Him Him & Melo
Toddlers at Victoria Park
“Both our parents brought us to Victoria Park to play today. We didn’t know each other before…
-
Gwyneth
Shop owner
“I studied design and used to work in marketing. One day, I did a fashion show and one of the sponsors asked why I wasn’t in fashion because I seemed to have a sense for it…
-
Scott Chou
Fan of President Theatre
“I’m a huge fan of the movies. I go to the cinema at least once a week and the President Theatre is really my favourite place to go. I guess it all comes from when I was young…
-
Yolanda Ng
District Councillor of Wan Chai
For Yolanda Ng, becoming District Councillor of Wan Chai was somewhat a stroke of fate. From a young age, the Hong Kong born-and-bred Yolanda aspired to be a writer…
-
Takeo and Ryuma Iwami
Hong Kong Judo Kan
Over 50 years ago, Ryuma Iwami’s father Takeo came to Hong Kong with the desire to bring with him a part of Japan and its culture: judo. His dojo, Hong Kong Judo Kan, was established in Prince Edward in 1966, and later relocated to Causeway Bay.
-
Andrew Chui
Managing Director, Tai Ping Koon Restaurant Group
Tai Ping Koon started in 1860 during the Qing Dynasty, when Guangzhou was an accessible entrepôt for foreign trade…
-
Pink
Makeup artist
Pink relaxes at her favourite cafe and shares her journey from banking to beauty: “I love being a make-up artist. I love beauty but I find it rewarding to help others…
-
St. Mary's Church
Local Landmark
St. Mary’s Church is an Anglican church that began in 1911 as a chapel for those at the Eyre Diocesan Refuge. Much of the early work depended on volunteers and donations…
Celebrating Causeway Bay
Feature
A neighbourhood in flux, Causeway Bay’s constant evolution keeps residents and visitors coming back for more. Whether it’s fashion, food, film or art, it’s a part of Hong Kong that keeps people mesmerised and inspired.
Causeway Bay: Then & Now
Feature
Causeway Bay embodies the many facets of Hong Kong – the fast pace, fascinating contrasts and dynamic energy. From the city’s very beginning to the present day, its diversity and vibrancy makes it a beloved neighbourhood.
-
Takeo and Ryuma Iwami
Hong Kong Judo Kan
Over 50 years ago, Ryuma Iwami’s father Takeo came to Hong Kong with the desire to bring with him a part of Japan and its culture: judo. His dojo, Hong Kong Judo Kan, was established in Prince Edward in 1966, and later relocated to Causeway Bay.
-
Andrew Chui
Managing Director, Tai Ping Koon Restaurant Group
Tai Ping Koon started in 1860 during the Qing Dynasty, when Guangzhou was an accessible entrepôt for foreign trade…
-
Pink
Makeup artist
Pink relaxes at her favourite cafe and shares her journey from banking to beauty: “I love being a make-up artist. I love beauty but I find it rewarding to help others…
-
St. Mary's Church
Local Landmark
St. Mary’s Church is an Anglican church that began in 1911 as a chapel for those at the Eyre Diocesan Refuge. Much of the early work depended on volunteers and donations…

