Hong Kong has a secret – it’s a treasure trove of Instagram-worthy, rainbow-infused spots that are as elusive as a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. In honour of the Gay Games and Pride Month in November, and the recent news that one of our most favourite public housing estates, Choi Hung, may be redeveloped – we invite you to embark on a whimsical adventure in search of these vibrant rainbow inspired landmarks.
Our journey begins at the famous Choi Hung Estate, a neighborhood that could give the world’s most vivid rainbows a run for their money. This 1960’s public housing estate won awards back in the early days for its architectural design, and was the largest housing estate ever built at the time.
More recently, the vivid colours of the estate, painted in the seven rainbow shades, has become a beloved landmark in Hong Kong with the popularity of Instagram and the rise in grass roots experiences – we even have this iconic location listed on our Instagram tour itinerary. Its charming buildings, each awash in a different hue, make it an Instagrammer’s paradise. Why is it called Choi Hung (åŊŠčš)…. because in Cantonese this means “rainbow”!
Choi Hung MTR Station stood among the initial stations unveiled to the public during the inaugural phase of Hong Kong’s underground transportation system, 1st October 1979.
Every MTR station is designated a distinct wall-tile colour for easy identification, in fact, you can make visiting and photographing them another game all by itself! But without question, the most photographed MTR station of them all, is Choi Hung, with its navy blue livery and rainbow coloured stripes.
By the way, we love this MTR station inspired puzzle from Lion Rock Press, and the bonus is, its double sided!!!!
The Lok Sin Tong Yeung Chung Ming Primary School is a little hard to spot, although this is a great view from another Instagram favourite location – the Lok Wai South Estate car park. The beautiful rainbow colours speak volumes when you learn that their school motto is “Benevolence, Love, Diligence and Sincerity”.
The AIA Central building stands on Victoria Harbour at the junction of Murray Road and Connaught Road, Central. Its inception dates back to 2005 when it was known as the AIG Tower, featuring an architectural design artfully mirroring the silhouette of a sail from a traditional Chinese junk boat. The architects, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) also designed the Sears Tower in Chicago, Canary Wharf in London and a nearby neighbour; the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The east side of the building, facing Murray Road, is where its vertical fins illuminate in a spectrum of rainbow colours after nightfall. According to the Tourism Commission, at the top of AIA Central is one of the most powerful LED video displays in Asia, with high-resolution video capacities utilising over 281 trillion RGB colours and advanced graphics processing. Quite substantial and a reason why this building stands out as part of the nightly light and sound visual extravaganza, The Symphony of Lights. Watch the iconic Hong Kong skyline light up, and in various location, dance to music! Best vantage points are the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Unicorns are elusive creatures, and so are the Rainbow Unicorn Rooms at The Fullerton Hotel!!
A firm favourite for kids and unicorn lovers alike, and bonus points for being next door to another one of Hong Kong’s brilliant new attractions, Ocean Park’s outdoor water park, WaterWorld.
If you are making this a game, what better way to start than at the WaterWorld Rainbow slide!
No trip to Hong Kong is complete without a visit to Kala Toast for their renowned Rainbow Toastie. This little food outlet went viral back in 2016 and upscaled their tiny shop in Tsuen Wan (where the image was taken) to landing a prime spot in the Peak Tower at Hong Kong’s tourism “must-do”, Victoria Peak. This deliciously colourful treat combines the joy of a rainbow with the comfort of toast, and combining layers of tomato, basil and lavender flavoured cheeses.
Embrace your inner rainbow chaser and embark on this magical quest throughout Hong Kong. Whether you’re a seasoned Instagrammer or just someone looking for a little fun and whimsy, these landmarks will add a splash of colour to your adventure đâ¨
