The Noonday Gun (Chinese: 午炮) is a former naval artillery piece mounted on a small enclosed site near the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. Owned and operated by Jardine Matheson, the gun is fired every day at noon and has become a tourist attraction.
The Noonday Gun is located on the waterfront of the area formerly known as East Point, present-day Causeway Bay. East Point was the first plot of land in Hong Kong to be sold by the colonial government by public auction in 1841, and was purchased by Jardine Matheson. Over the years, land reclamation has shifted the coastline northward, and the siting of the gun has changed accordingly. The name East Point is now disused.
Monday | Open 24 hours |
Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
Thursday | Open 24 hours |
Friday | Open 24 hours |
Saturday | Open 24 hours |
Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Brian A | Mar 4, 2018
Something to see just to say you have been there. After firing the gun, gates are opened for 30 minutes.
Jonathan Caminiti | Jan 28, 2018
Cool tradition but hard to get to could walk right by highway underpass
Crissy B | Nov 30, 2017
I generally enjoy history but was not impressed with this at all. Take into account the local construction and you've wasted a good portion of your day in search of something that leaves you saying, "this is it?"
Ricci Y | Oct 13, 2017
Historic site but somewhat of an anti climax unless you like loud bangs. Wheelchair accessible via the lift and footbridge in Victoria Park.
Gemelen | Sep 27, 2017
Attractive but short ceremony. The most hard part us to be in time while searching for tunnel from other side of the road. Hint: while standing in front of Excelcior building, go to the right side of hotel in small pathway. Few steps from the Glochester road and you will find door to the yacht club car park. Hint2: if you are in a hurry, take pedestrian bridge a block further
Mark Reform | Mar 28, 2018
The Noonday Gun is located on the waterfront of the area formerly known as East Point, present-day Causeway Bay. East Point was the first plot of land in Hong Kong to be sold by the colonial government by public auctionin 1841, and was purchased by Jardine Matheson. Over the years, land reclamationhas shifted the coastline northward, and the siting of the gun has changed accordingly. The name East Point is now disused. The tradition originated over an incident in the 1860s. Jardines' main godowns and offices were located at East Point, and its private militia would fire a gun salute to welcome a Jardine tai-pan's arrival by sea. On one occasion, a senior British naval officerbecame annoyed by this practice because he was new to Hong Kong and did not know of such a tradition. This was because such a salute was normally reserved for government officials and senior officers of the armed services. As a result, Jardines was ordered, as a penalty, to fire a gun every day at noon, in perpetuity. In 1941, during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, the Japanese Imperial Armydismantled the gun and it was lost. After British forces regained Hong Kong in 1945, the Royal Navy provided Jardines with a new six-pound gun with which to continue the tradition of the noonday gun. On 1 July 1947, the Noonday gun was back in operation. Following complaints that the gun was too loud, in 1961 the marine police replaced the six-pound gun with a Hotchkiss three-pounderthat saw action in the Battle of Jutland during the First World War.
Ling Hoong NG | Apr 27, 2018
Got there just in time to see the event. It was over in a split second (to make the time of 12 noon!), so don’t be late if you want to catch it. The overall scenery was spoilt by the constructions that are on-going around the area.
Benedict Uy | May 16, 2018
We were wandering around the water to try and find an underground tunnel. We ended up here. It was late at night so it was closed. The tunnel entrance was right beside the gun. It would have been hard the other way as we ended up going through a carpark to get out in an alley.
James Allen | Jul 7, 2018
Lovely ceremony, although there was not much information to read about it. There were very few people watching and I got a good view and an opportunity to have a photo with the man who fired the gun
Terence Lee | Jun 2, 2018
Visited Hong-Kong several time, but din noticed there is such ceremony. Worth taking time off to visit. Everyday 12pm sharp!
Danny Volkind | May 18, 2018
Nice attraction for about 5 min. Beware of the loud boom.
Sarah charles | Aug 3, 2018
Located at Causeway Bay, you will find the entrance via the World Trade Centre underground tunnel. Make sure you’re on time or you’ll miss the Gun going off at exactly noon. It’s a long standing tradition in Hong Kong, dating back to the site being the first plot of land publicly sold there. It was apparently customary to give a gun salute when entering or leaving Hong Kong until 1941, recommencing in 1947. Not sure how exactly, but the Noonday Gun has to date raised over 6million for charity. Apparently people can donate to fire it. Basically turn up before 12, see the officer in military gear get ready and shoot the cannon. Take a few pics and be on your way.
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