Menu

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.

  • Ms Lam


    Flyer lady

    “I’m from Sun Wui and live in Kowloon. I’m just helping a friend to pass out flyers for a few days. I stand here and get to see lots of different people on this…

    Streetsnaps
  • 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…

    Interviews
  • Christine Tsoi


    Marketing Manager

    “As a child, I would walk along this street on my way to school. I didn’t know then that decades later, I would still be passing by these same pigeons…

    Streetsnaps
  • 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…

    Streetsnaps
  • Jimmy Leung


    Martial artist and Founder, THE FIGHTERS CLUB

    If it were up to Jimmy Leung, he’d have begun his martial arts training when he was a little kid. But the biggest adversary to his plan wasn’t some opponent in the ring…

    Interviews
  • Ryan, Ryan, Jacky, Danny


    Basketball players

    Danny: “I play basketball here a few times a week. I also go to Southern Stadium because my school is there but I prefer Victoria Park because I can get to know more…

    Streetsnaps
  • Irene Lee


    Chairman of Hysan Development

    There are very few people who know the origin of a suburb, let alone one as integral to Hong Kong as Causeway Bay. But for Irene Lee, granddaughter of Lee Hysan and current chairman of Hysan Development, she can look back on the neighbourhood’s inception…

    Interviews
  • Chien Lee


    Chairman of Bei Shan Tang Foundation

    For Chien Lee, Chairman of the Bei Shan Tang Foundation, a passion and support for Chinese culture and the arts has always been in his blood. Grandson of Lee Hysan and son of Dr. Jung Sen Lee…

    Interviews

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.

  • Jimmy Leung


    Martial artist and Founder, THE FIGHTERS CLUB

    If it were up to Jimmy Leung, he’d have begun his martial arts training when he was a little kid. But the biggest adversary to his plan wasn’t some opponent in the ring…

    Interviews
  • Ryan, Ryan, Jacky, Danny


    Basketball players

    Danny: “I play basketball here a few times a week. I also go to Southern Stadium because my school is there but I prefer Victoria Park because I can get to know more…

    Streetsnaps
  • Irene Lee


    Chairman of Hysan Development

    There are very few people who know the origin of a suburb, let alone one as integral to Hong Kong as Causeway Bay. But for Irene Lee, granddaughter of Lee Hysan and current chairman of Hysan Development, she can look back on the neighbourhood’s inception…

    Interviews
  • Chien Lee


    Chairman of Bei Shan Tang Foundation

    For Chien Lee, Chairman of the Bei Shan Tang Foundation, a passion and support for Chinese culture and the arts has always been in his blood. Grandson of Lee Hysan and son of Dr. Jung Sen Lee…

    Interviews