Where to watch the National Day Fireworks 2011

This Saturday, Hong Kongers will be celebrating the National Day Holiday as only Hong Kongers can, by spending HK$3.5 million on a firework festival extravaganza.

Starting at 9 p.m. on October 1, 23 minutes of pure pyromania with 31,888 bangers, screamers and fizzers will light up Victoria Harbour, as the city wishes a boisterous 62nd birthday to the People’s Republic of China.

Just as impressive as the big numbers are the droves of onlookers who will be descending on both sides of the harbor. Upwards of 500,000 people are expected to jam into every nook and cranny along the harborfront in Central, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui.

If you don’t mind the elbows that may judiciously jut into your stomach, then by all means brave the crowds. But make sure to get there early. The hardcore fireworks watchers stake out their spots along the Avenue of the Stars from as early as midday.

If crowds aren’t your thing, try these prime venues instead:

Central: Isola bar + grill

Newly renovated, this perennial favorite got even better with additional al fresco seating and floor-to-ceiling windows facing the harbour, perfect for firework gawking.

A special National Day menu includes fillet of sea bass and grilled Wagyu beef.

Isola bar + grill, Level 3, IFC mall, Central, +852 2383 8765, www.gaiagroup.com.hk

Wanchai: VERO Lounge

Located in the Fenwick Pier building, VERO Lounge is a cosy spot to catch the action. With its prime location, it's a popular choice so booking will be essential for dinner and drinks.

Walking to Fenwick Pier may involve navigating some crowds lining the waterside areas.

VERO Lounge, 1/F, Fenwick Pier, 1 Lung King St., Wanchai, +852 2559 5810, www.verochocolates.com

Tsim Sha Tsui: InterContinental

A range of restaurants at the InterContinental hotel from the decadent SPOON by Alain Ducasse to the Harbourside all have one thing in common: spectacular panoramas of the harbor.

Enormous windows with unobstructed views, particularly from the Lobby Lounge where a cover charge of HK$500 for two drinks is a somewhat lower price to pay than having a full meal.

InterContinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2721 1211, www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com

North Point: The Harbour Grand 

The Motherland is only going to turn 62 years old once, so it’s as good an excuse as any to splurge.

A special National Day Firework Package at the Harbour Grand Hong Kong gets you a bed for the night in the exclusive Premier Harbour View Suite with incredible views of Hong Kong and Kowloon.

Top up your suite package with an extra HK$1,580 for a 7-course dinner for two at the hotel's Le 188° Restaurant & Lounge. It has a killer 180-degree view of the Hong Kong skyline.

The package starts from HK$3,438 for a Grand Deluxe Harbour View Room and goes up to HK$8,608 for the Premier Harbour View Suite. Harbour Grand Hong Kong, 23 Oil St., North Point, + 852 2121 2616, www.harbourgrand.com

Where to Watch for Free

On Top of IFC

The top of the IFC mall outside RED bar is one of the most popular places to watch fireworks in Hong Kong. We love to take advantage of the public space and free seating.

Try RED bar's range of cocktails or grab a bottle of wine and some snacks from the mall's CitySuper and picnic under the exploding rockets.

IFC Rooftop, 4/F, IFC mall, 8 Finance St., Central

Near The Peak

Lookout points along the Mid-Levels and The Peak give a full panorama of the city and are favorite spots for photographers. 

While these areas will hardly be deserted, they will be nowhere near as crowded as the waterfronts.

Try finding a vantage point on Bowen Drive, just past the intersection of Bowen Road and Bowen Drive in the Mid-Levels.

Or at The Peak on 33 Plantation Road, just after intersection of Plantation and Findlay roads.