As the night falls, China’s cities come alive with vibrant lights, offering a stunning contrast of modernity and tradition. Nightscape photography provides a unique opportunity to capture the magic of urban landscapes, where towering skyscrapers and historical monuments are bathed in the glow of streetlights, neon signs, and reflections. Whether you're photographing modern cityscapes or ancient landmarks illuminated at night, these locations in China provide an unparalleled backdrop for your night photography.

1. The Bund, Shanghai/index.html'>Shanghai – A Glorious Blend of Old and New

The Bund in Shanghai is one of the most iconic waterfronts in the world, offering breathtaking views of the city’s skyline. At night, the combination of historical buildings and ultra-modern skyscrapers creates a dazzling contrast, making it a must-visit for any nightscape photographer.

Photography Highlights:

Skyscrapers Across the Huangpu River: The stunning skyline of Lujiazui, with its futuristic designs like the Oriental Pearl Tower and Jin Mao Tower, offers dynamic compositions against the night sky.

The Colonial Buildings of the Bund: These early 20th-century buildings are beautifully lit at night, showcasing Shanghai’s colonial past. Capture the reflections of the architecture in the Huangpu River for dramatic shots.

Light Shows and Illumination: The evening light shows on the skyscrapers provide an ever-changing display, allowing you to experiment with long exposures to capture the movement of light.

Photography Tip: For the best shots, use a tripod for stability and long exposure techniques. Experiment with light trails from passing boats to create dynamic, artistic effects.

2. Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong – The Symphony of Lights

Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour is renowned for its stunning night views. The Symphony of Lights is one of the world’s largest permanent light and sound shows, where buildings on both sides of the harbor come alive with synchronized light displays, reflecting off the waters below.

Photography Highlights:

Harbor Skyline: Capture the skyscrapers of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the mountains surrounding the harbor. The illuminated buildings create a stunning skyline that shifts colors as the lights change.

Star Ferry: The iconic Star Ferry crossing the harbor at night provides a great chance to capture the beauty of the harbor’s lights from a unique perspective.

Symphony of Lights Show: If you’re visiting during the show, time your shot for a perfect moment when the buildings are fully illuminated and reflections are at their peak.

Photography Tip: To capture the full width of the harbor and skyline, use a wide-angle lens. Take advantage of the reflections in the water and experiment with long exposure to create silky smooth effects on the water.

3. Chang’an Street, Beijing – A Fusion of Culture and Modernity

Beijing’s Chang’an Street is the heart of the city, stretching through the capital's historical and political center. The street is home to key landmarks like Tiananmen Square and the Great Hall of the People, and is illuminated beautifully at night, offering photographers a unique mix of modern lights and traditional architecture.

Photography Highlights:

Tiananmen Square: Capture the grandeur of the square with its iconic Mao Zedong portrait, the Monument to the People's Heroes, and Gate of Heavenly Peace lit against the night sky.

Modern Government Buildings: The blend of modern government structures and historical monuments along Chang’an Street offers fantastic opportunities to contrast the old and new.

Night Traffic and Cultural Monuments: The bustling traffic and illuminated cultural landmarks create lively compositions, particularly during evening rush hour or quiet moments after dark.

Photography Tip: Long exposure is perfect for capturing the flow of traffic, while high ISO settings can help you capture the details of architectural features in low light.

4. Guangzhoucity/index.html'>Guangzhou's Canton Tower – A Futuristic Marvel

One of the most recognizable landmarks in Guangzhou, Canton Tower is a modern engineering marvel that is especially stunning at night. With its twisting, colorful design and its light displays, the tower becomes a captivating subject for night photography.

Photography Highlights:

Canton Tower Light Show: Watch as the tower lights up in vibrant colors, creating an evolving light show that contrasts beautifully with the dark sky.

Aerial Shots: From nearby vantage points, capture the glowing tower against the backdrop of Guangzhou’s skyline.

Reflection on the Pearl River: The reflections of Canton Tower in the Pearl River create magical images, especially during the evening when the lights are most striking.

Photography Tip: Use a telephoto lens for close-up shots of the tower, or a wide-angle lens to capture the whole cityscape and reflections. Try high dynamic range (HDR) photography to balance the bright lights with the darker surroundings.

5. Nanjing Road, Shanghai – The Pulse of the City

Shanghai’s Nanjing Road is one of the busiest commercial streets in China and becomes a neon-lit wonderland at night. The street is filled with illuminated signs, massive billboards, and bustling crowds, making it an exciting place for urban night photography.

Photography Highlights:

Neon Lights and Street Scenes: Capture the vibrant neon signs that light up the street, blending traditional Chinese characters with modern advertisements.

Crowds and Movement: The dynamic movement of people and vehicles along Nanjing Road offers opportunities for motion blur shots that emphasize the energy of Shanghai.

Historical Architecture: The street is also home to beautiful 20th-century architecture, which contrasts beautifully with the modern lights and displays.

Photography Tip: Experiment with motion blur to capture the dynamic energy of the crowds. A fast shutter speed will help freeze the action, while slow shutter speeds can capture the hustle and bustle in a more artistic, dreamy way.

If you want to know more about nightscape photography and itineraries, please contact us. Popular Tour Packages in China: 

1-Day Shanghai Trip

3-Day Guangzhou Tour