Lighting up Hong Kong: Spectacular beam breaks through clouds to bring cloudy day to life




This is the spectacular moment a bright beam of sunlight illuminated a skyscraper - while leaving the rest of the city in complete cloudy darkness.

The extraordinary moment took place in West Kowloon, Hong Kong, and brought to life the 1,588ft tall, 108-floor International Commerce Centre (ICC).

The scene was reminiscent of the Hollywood blockbuster Independence Day when an alien spaceship fired a laser beam down from the sky at New York's Empire State Building.



Freak of nature: This is the spectacular moment a bright beam of sunlight illuminated the International Commerce Centre in West Kowloon, Hong Kong

Brought to life: Pavel Kiselev took these stunning shots from Victoria Peak, the highest mountain on Hong Kong Island, while on holiday there

In this real-life shot the ICC, which is the tallest building in Hong Kong, as well as being the world's second tallest building by floors, was caught on camera by keen Russian photographer Pavel Kiselev.

Mr Kiselev, 57, took these stunning shots from Victoria Peak, the highest mountain on the island while on holiday there.

He said: 'The weather was not very good while I was there - there was probably just one or two sunny days for the whole two weeks.

'But the constant fog made the photos so mysterious and I was absolutely stunned and amazed when I spotted this fantastic view after getting above the clouds.

Average: This picture shows how the International Commerce Centre, top left, normally looks

'The sunbeam through a gap in the clouds landed right on a brand new skyscraper and completely lit it up.

'It was like a giant beacon and the whole picture looked like a fantastic artificial landscape.