appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Cannix Yau

A government-hosted Mid-Autumn Festival light show at a nullah in Hong Kong has sparked widespread online criticism, with revellers complaining of foul smells and poor execution.
Attendees posted their reviews on social media on Saturday after the opening night of the two-day “Yuen Long Flood Barrier and Nullah Improvement Scheme – Mid-Autumn Light Show” organised by the Drainage Services Department.
The event was billed as an inaugural initiative to transform the Yuen Long nullah into a large-scale art exhibition space, but many visitors took to platforms such as Threads to express their disappointment.
“A foul smell was coming out while I was watching the show,” an attendee posted on Threads, sharing videos showing light projections against a wide, open-air concrete storm drainage channel.
Another said: “I wondered which ‘genius’ came up with the idea of just placing white boards to cover up the canal. The projected images only faced one direction and weren’t even clear.
“It would have been much clearer if they had just suspended a huge white cloth across to cover the entire smelly section and projected it onto that instead.”

A third user wrote: “The idea was good, but the execution was poor. It was projected downwards, but there are no elevated viewing platforms nearby, so you can’t see it clearly at all.”
While some questioned how much the show had cost the taxpayer, others praised the display as beautiful when floral patterns of lanterns, rabbits and flowers were projected onto the drainage canal.
The light show took place at the Yuen Long Nullah section between the MTR Long Ping station and On Ning Road, on both Friday and Saturday nights. Residents needed to register with the government before getting in the viewing area.
Despite the backlash, the event drew large crowds to both sides of the canal on the opening night.
According to the department, the show combined large-scale projection, animation and lighting effects, with reunion as the theme of the performance and site decoration.
“Through captivating light-and-shadow stories, it guides the public to understand the project’s flood prevention functions, environmental enhancements, and the future vision of the revitalised nullah,” it said on the social media promotion page.
The South China Morning Post has contacted the department for comment.


Woman arrested over child abuse in Hong Kong after dashcam video shows boy shoved

Mid-Autumn light show in Yuen Long panned online over stench and execution

Hikers urge live updates on free quota spots to fix Po Pin Chau booking confusion

Hong Kong minister vows to give public account of Queen Mary Hospital lift saga

Hong Kong society

Attendees at the light show at the Yuen Long nullah on Saturday night. Photo: Kit Lai

The event was billed as an inaugural initiative to transform the Yuen Long Nullah into a large-scale art exhibition space. Photo: Handout

According to the Drainage Services Department, the show combined large-scale projection, animation and lighting effects, with reunion as the theme of the performance and site decoration. Photo: Kit Lai

From moongazing to bus tours: how to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong

The World Lantern Boulevard at Victoria Park. Photo: Dickson Lee

Spectators can catch the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Visitors take a selfie with a giant rabbit lantern in Tai O. Photo: Elson Li

‘Do teachers not have families?’: kindergartens’ Mid-Autumn events draw backlash

The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Friday this year. Photo: Dickson Lee

The Education Bureau has said preschools should maintain good communication with stakeholders to make appropriate arrangements when planning various activities. Photo: RTHK

News

Hong Kong

Society

Drainage Services Department event at nullah draws strong turnout, but mixed reactions


Drainage Services Department event at nullah draws strong turnout, but mixed reactions.


Drainage Services Department

Mid-Autumn light show in Yuen Long panned online over stench and execution

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Drainage Services Department event at nullah draws strong turnout, but mixed reactions

Drainage Services Department event at nullah draws strong turnout, but mixed reactions