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.
-
Auntie Yuk
Pantyhose vendor on Pak Sha Road
“I’ve had customers, including celebrities and politicians, who would definitely get upset if I ever moved my stall. I’m sure they’d be asking people…
-
Harold Poon
Product designer
“Causeway Bay is where I met my wife, so I guess it’s a special place for me. I also love it because it’s got loads of character. There are all these small local shops…
-
Celia Leung
Branding designer
“As a designer, I take a lot of inspiration from minimalistic Northern European design – which is the absolute opposite to the sights and sounds of Causeway Bay…
-
Otto Leong
A childhood spent at Lee Theatre
Lee Theatre was once one of the city’s most glamorous institutions. Standing at the very edge of Percival Street, it opened to the public in 1927 and hosted a range of shows from Cantonese opera to film screenings, and even the Miss Hong Kong pageant during its heyday…
-
Olaf
The dog
“I’m nearly 2 years old now. I love going out and always wear my rain coat in bad weather. Today, I’m at Fashion Walk and we are stopping for a break at…
-
Amanda & Rebecca Li
Twins
“We love this bear so much, we tried to match our outfits with him today…
-
Darren Lo
Co-founder, Playdium
Don’t call Playdium an arcade – it’s a “virtual reality experience studio” where you can play fully immersive games with the help of top-of-the-line Razer computers and HTC Vive VR goggles…
-
Mimosa Lee
Salesperson
“My favourite thing in Causeway Bay? The sound of the peanut shells crunching under my feet at Inn Side Out back when it was in Sunning Plaza. I had some great…
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.
-
Olaf
The dog
“I’m nearly 2 years old now. I love going out and always wear my rain coat in bad weather. Today, I’m at Fashion Walk and we are stopping for a break at…
-
Amanda & Rebecca Li
Twins
“We love this bear so much, we tried to match our outfits with him today…
-
Darren Lo
Co-founder, Playdium
Don’t call Playdium an arcade – it’s a “virtual reality experience studio” where you can play fully immersive games with the help of top-of-the-line Razer computers and HTC Vive VR goggles…
-
Mimosa Lee
Salesperson
“My favourite thing in Causeway Bay? The sound of the peanut shells crunching under my feet at Inn Side Out back when it was in Sunning Plaza. I had some great…

