Noonday gun is located on the waterfront of Causeway Bay, formerly known as East Point, owned and operated by Jardine Matheson. Jardines purchased East Point in 1841 and maintained its own gun battery.
In those days, the Jardines’ employee would fire a gun salute when the head of Jardines, known as Taipan 大班, arrived or left Hong Kong by sea.
It was said that this practice annoyed a British Royal Naval Officer, who thought such a gun salute should only be reserved for the government officials.
As a punishment, Jardines was ordered to fire a Noonday gun everyday at 12 noon as a time signal for Hong Kong.
This practice discontinued during the Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong, in which the gun was lost.
The Royal Navy provided Jardines with a new six-pound gun and firing commenced again in 1947.
This gun was replaced with a Hotchkiss Mark 1 three-pounder in 1961 due to increasing complaints about the loud noise of the gun.
The Noonday gun is fired, everyday at 12 noon, since then. Eight bells are sounded to indicate the end of the fore-noon watch.
Since 1946, the gun is fired at the midnight on the New Year Eve to welcome the New Year.
When?
Everyday at 12 noon. The site is open to public for 30 minutes after firing.
Where is it?
Near Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter
How to go?
Take MTR to Causeway Bay Station, Exit D1. Walk to World Trade Centre. You can access the Noonday Gun through the World Trade Centre car park and then a tunnel. The entrance of the tunnel is between the World Trade Centre and the ex-Excelsior Hotel. It is difficult to find the entrance of the tunnel. Inbox me for details.
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