TRUE Density: HONG KONG

aljuarez · Sep 1, 2018

You´ll definitely want to go up Victoria Peak for amazing views of HK, even if everyone else and their brother will be there too. This is one of the world´s most spectacular urban settings, and no matter how jaded a traveler you may be, this will take your breath away. Victoria Harbour separates Hong Kong proper (just beneath you) from Kowloon (the opposite shore).

But spare a minute or two to look South, behind you. For all its density, Hong Kong is also a surprisingly green place, with forested hills and islands full of hiking trails and beaches that can provide a true sense of solitude.

Also, note the few low-rise residences up here. This is literally the world´s most expensive real estate. Mere mortals must nest in one of the thousands of towers beneath.

Hong Kong by Alejandro, on Flickr

aljuarez · Sep 1, 2018

Hong Kong Central

Moving East from Sheung Wan you´ll reach Central, the epicentre of the most business-friendly jurisdiction in the world. Here the hotels cost much more, and urban grit almost disappears in places.

Navigating the overpasses, underpasses, passageways and pedestrian walkways is a skill that newcomers must master because it will save them time and exposure to the humidity. But for the casual visitor, it can be frustrating, disorienting and alienating. You may be going in the right direction, but you won´t know until you finally come out. And just sticking to sidewalks is not an option: they can simply narrow until they disappear into high-speed trafic lanes. Or the walkmay may not have an exit where you need it. You´re unlikely to have experienced anything like this before.

Hong Kong by Alejandro, on Flickr

Hong Kong by Alejandro, on Flickr

Also, don´t miss the spectacular atrium of the HSBC bank HQ.

Hong Kong by Alejandro, on Flickr

aljuarez · Sep 1, 2018

Sheung Wan

True Density: HONG KONG

Hong Kong is definitely a new favorite. Not pretty, not quaint, not neat, but so easy to love. It´s the energy, the diversity and yes, the density. I must confess I´ve never been interested in arguments about skyscraper density that occasionaly come up in the forum. But nowhere had I ever experienced real skyscraper density until now. You can be in the middle of Midtown Manhattan and feel small looking at the towers surrounding you, but in Hong Kong, the towers not just rise above you, they crowd into one onether and they rise not just beyond, but literally above each other. Indeed, the hilly geography means that tall buildings feel taller, and the many small plots of land cause pencil-thin structures to be lumped together in what becomes a real forest of skyscrapers! It can be claustrophobic, but it´s also exhilarating. Endless combinations of window patterns and a thousand of bizarre juxtapositions are visible at every corner.

You´ll definitely know that you are (sort of) in China, but this is also very much a global city. Here, in the world´s third largest financial center, elegant men in suits of every race mingle with humble cart-pushing stall owners and fancy bars share blocks with ramshackle, tiny temples . Space is at a premium, so everyone just shares the same streets. This is a place where you can find everything you could possibly want in a very small area.

The main business district is simply called "Central", overlooking the gorgeous natural port of Victoria Harbour. West of here, Sheung Wan is an old, dense area where many relatively affordable hotels are located. It´s a good base for exploring, but also of interest in itself.

Hong Kong by Alejandro, on Flickr

hkskyline · Sep 2, 2018

Looking good!

christos-greece · Sep 2, 2018

Great, very nice photos from Hong Kong :cheers:

stevekeiretsu · Sep 2, 2018

great stuff. i've been pondering my next trip, somewhere along the lines of Seoul/HK/Tokyo/Singapore, I think you might have just seriously swung me towards HK

Why-Why · Sep 3, 2018

Great set (and commentary)!

aljuarez · Nov 3, 2018

Lee Tung Avenue

Lee Tung Avenue is not really an avenue, but an upmarket pedestrian street, scrubbed up and sanitized for the benefit of the wealthy residents of the adjacent towers. The streets running parallel to it have the normal Wan Chai feeling, which makes Lee Tung Avenue feel especially out of place.

Hong Kong by Alejandro, on Flickr

aljuarez · Nov 3, 2018

Wan Chai

Wan Chai, just East of Central, is another central, dense, multi-purpose residencial/commercial district. Just like Sheung Wan to the West of Central, Wan Chai is a curious mix of upscale shops and gritty alleys, luxury apartment buildings and ramshackle locales.

Hong Kong by Alejandro, on Flickr

aljuarez · Nov 3, 2018

Asia Society

Just above the hotels and malls, the relatively new Asia Society Hong Kong occupies a former munitions factory. The exhibits were too boutique for this ignorant Westerner, but anyone can enjoy the upstairs-downstairs architecture and the views!

Hong Kong by Alejandro, on Flickr

aljuarez · Nov 3, 2018

Admiralty

Moving towards the harbour, you will make it to the Admiralty District, which also creeps uphill, towards a cluster of luxury hotels and fancy shopping centres, just beyond Wan Chai.

Hong Kong by Alejandro, on Flickr

aljuarez · Nov 3, 2018

World Finance Centre

Beyond Central, at the waterfront, the World Finance Centre is a bunch of towers and malls, but it's quiet elegant and does not feel like ordinary mall land.

Hong Kong by Alejandro, on Flickr

aljuarez · Nov 3, 2018

Hong Kong Park

Hong Kong Park is Central's way of escaping the bustle of the super-dense city. Lovely ponds and nice views!

Hong Kong by Alejandro, on Flickr

aljuarez · Nov 3, 2018

Central

More of Central's skyscrapers.

Hong Kong by Alejandro, on Flickr

Yellow Fever · Nov 3, 2018

Great thread and excellent photos of my birth place.

aljuarez · Nov 12, 2018

Thanks, Yellow!
You are so lucky to have this city in you. If the City of Rain is Vancouver, then you're at least twice as lucky!

Yellow Fever · Nov 12, 2018

Yes. I'm so blessed I have lived and been living in two great cities, for exciting life HK is the obvious choice while for those enjoy nature and laid back life, Vancouver is the one.

AXIS of EVIL · Nov 15, 2018

HK the magnificent!

the man from k-town · Nov 15, 2018

amazing pics! I miss HK so much. It's ten years ago now that i've been there

aljuarez · Dec 9, 2018

Sheung Wan

Sheung Wan, the dense mixed-used district West of Central, is a very interesting area to wander around. I'm actually not sure if all these photos are of Sheung Wan. Apparently some of these are Soho or even the Mid-Levels, but I don't know whether those names are only real estate marketing ploys! Anyhow, this also where you want to go if you want to check out the commercial art galleries.

Hong Kong by Alejandro, on Flickr

TRUE Density: HONG KONG

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