Visiting Hong Kong - All Your Questions to Make Your Visit Memorable

[FREKI]

Thanks for the info - but since I'm back in Denmark we missed it this time around, but just as it wasn't my first visit to Hong Kong it will surely not be my last either

[Joel que]

my first visit to HK was in 1968, my biggest impression at that time was while riding in taxi ,I notice squattering in Tai ping san,and government housing complex in admirality,now occupied by pacific plaza.while staying north point, there's a lot of policemen, to prevent any rioting.newspaper report of people risking there life swiming to "K city" (or Karat.nickname for HK by mainlander) .
any image of HK in late 60's?

[Lindemann]

Hi everybody. I'm probably visiting HK again in the next months, and I'd like to ask you about some non-typical information...

Well, first of all, I'm very interested in any kind of midrise and highrise buildings, even residential ones. In my country, when the principal doorway is open, I enter into them looking upstairs for a good window to take some pics of the street. I usually don't have any trouble doing this, but I'd like to know how is this issue perceived in Hong Kong.

Could I get into some residential, or smaller office buildings, just to find a window in the corridors for taking some photos of the surroundings? Or is it illegal?
I'd like to get into 'normal' buildings, not just to the observation decks of the great skyscrapers. But I'm asking you because I wouldn't want to bother any resident, or even having trouble with the police.

Also I've read that it is possible to access the rooftop in Chungking Mansions, and many tourists do it, but I'd prefer to have a solid confirmation from you. Anyway, I think that accessing into a rooftop is a serious issue in every country, so I don't really have plans of doing this.

And finally, if this is not frowned upon in Hong Kong and if you know about any building that I can explore for taking some pics, please don't forget to tell me where to find it.
And of course, if that's not even normal, I'll forget the idea for this trip

Thanks

[hkskyline]

Almost all tall residential buildings have restricted access. Getting inside would not likely be possible. Many of the newer buildings do not have corridors that open to the street. The older public housing estates would have but there are security guards in every building that will stop you.

The older, less fancy commercial buildings probably have windows along their emergency staircases where you can try your luck. You will not likely encounter any problems as the security guards don't check everyone going in.

The old shophouses likely have open rooftops where you can hop up and get a good view of the surroundings. Mongkok (Sai Yeung Choi Street south of Argyle and the few parallel streets to the east) and Causeway Bay (Lockhart Road, east of Percival Street and opposite Sogo) have a number of these although access has been more restricted in the past few years after a few jars of acid were thrown from the roofs onto the busy streets below. Technically, these are still private areas though but they don't have security guards and there are shops so a lot of strangers pop in and out anyway.

I've been trying to find a few rooftops to get photos myself but generally it's very hard not to get noticed. One off-the-beat location to photograph the city is the Shek Kip Mei Reservoir. You enter at the corner of Pak Tin Street and Tai Po Road near Sham Shui Po MTR. There's a lot of construction happening there now but you will find a path that leads to a staircase.

This is what you get :

[Lindemann]

Thanks a lot for your prompt and complete response, hkskyline. I'll surely try luck in those places.

Just one more question... if a security guard finds me in a rooftop, could I have legal issues like being charged with trespass?
Maybe that's a stupid question, but this circumstance can happen where I live, and I'm not acquainted with these issues in HK.

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by Lindemann

Thanks a lot for your prompt and complete response, hkskyline. I'll surely try luck in those places.

Just one more question... if a security guard finds me in a rooftop, could I have legal issues like being charged with trespass or something similar?
Maybe that's a stupid question, but this circumstance can happen where I live and I'm not acquainted with these issues in HK.

In theory, trespassing is a chargeable offence, although they probably will just give you a warning and escort you out. But the security guards tend to not speak any English though.

For entering residential buildings that are guarded in the lobby, they will likely note your passport number and where you're going as part of the registration, and contact the tenant before letting you up. You will not likely be able to get access at all.

[Lindemann]

Thanks again, it's worth knowing. We'll see if finally I can achieve something.

[Car L]

New office buildings tend to have Sky Garden nowadays.
Some office buildings have resting area on the roof top (even smoking area.)

Hotels - Sky Garden, Parking Lot, Swimming Pool, Roof
Office Buildings - Sky Garden, Parking Lot, Roof
Parking Buildings
Public Gov/Municipal Service Buildings
College/University Buildings
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Buildings that don't get posted often (HK) Part I or here | Part II or here | Part III | Part IV | Part V
Artistic decorations inside and outside of the buildings

[maxsupawich]

I come form thailand I already go to hongkong It very beautiful
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my travel hongkong blog http://onlguide.blogspot.com/2012/04/blog-post.html

[Omaro]

Went last year and had a great time. The skyline is amaaazing!

[Topoliok]

Hi guys! I need your help! I can't find any application with bus routes of Hongkong for my Android gadget which works in offline mode. Can you help me? Maybe you can say travel apps with a such function? I downloaded a good apps CitybusNWFB, KMB&LW and HK eTransport, but there is no such function (wich works in offline mode).

I know that the best way - to buy a SIM card, but my English (even more so Cantonese) is not good enough to understand the tariffs and preferences.

[pberz]

Hi all! i'll stay at the hotel on Lantau near Chung Hau. Whats the easiest way to Macau from there? At the hotel offer only taxi.. And other advices, it will be my first time in HK, thanks
ps: Topoliok, за что Вы так сов не любите?)

[Topoliok]

Originally Posted by pberz

ps: Topoliok, за что Вы так сов не любите?)

Это очень особенные совы, что-то типа родового знака, поразительно, но неужели глава рода не увидел столь вопиющего двусмыслия этого знака, или специально?!

Sorry by offtop.

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by pberz

Hi all! i'll stay at the hotel on Lantau near Chung Hau. Whats the easiest way to Macau from there? At the hotel offer only taxi.. And other advices, it will be my first time in HK, thanks
ps: Topoliok, за что Вы так сов не любите?)

Ferry from either the Macau Ferry Terminal on Hong Kong Island or the China Hong Kong Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui.

[bakeware4]

i typed a pretty long reply on the "Hong Kong Photography" thread. check that out.

[piolo]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

Ferry from either the Macau Ferry Terminal on Hong Kong Island or the China Hong Kong Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Fast ferry! I would have taken it if i had actually planned going to Macau on that day when i just wanted to cross the Harbour to ICC. Well i made a day of it and caught the fast ferry back.

Hong Kong Rocks! Over 18's must visit Wan Chai on a Sunday afternoon for some good lovin if you know what i'm saying.