Summary
- Hong Kong is small, but it has the most skyscrapers in the world, nearly three times more than Tokyo, according to Wikipedia. There are almost no low-rise buildings, and even my hostel had 15 stories.
- Not only its height, but its architectural excellence also makes it much more beautiful.
Highlights
Aerial Photography
- The first two pictures are from the Philippines, and we can see disordered city developments, probably built manually.
- Hong Kong is mountainous, not only small, and it further limits livable space. We can see multiple steep islands around the main island.
Xiqu Center
- Xiqu is also known as Chinese opera. The cheapest ticket is around $100.
West Kowloon Station
- It is the only high-speed railway station in Hong Kong.
- It’s newly built, and we can enjoy a beautiful concourse built with a continuous curved surface. Surprisingly, the rooftop is a park, and we can enjoy an amazing view of the bay from it.
Tai Kwun
- This place was originally used as a prison, but due to its historical value, it’s open to the public as a museums.
- Not only can we learn how prisoners spent their lives there, but we can also enjoy amazing art pieces in the park. Although it isn’t open at the moment, there is also a contemporary art museum in the park.
PMQ
- Hong Kong has many spaces prepared for artists, and PMQ is one of them. They have some galleries, but it resembles more of a shopping mall focused on original character goods and handmade crafts.
The Henderson
- This building was designed by my favorite architect, Zaha Hadid, and was recently completed.
- There is almost no flat surface in this building, and the light reflects beautifully on the metallic curved surfaces.
Night View
- The area around The Henderson is home to some of the most iconic towers, such as the Bank of China Tower.
- There was also a mechanic-shaped building with a giant display right next to it.
- The park next to the old Supreme Court building offers a great view, as we can enjoy both futuristic and traditional architecture.
- The area around the Ferris wheel has some shops, and we can see beautiful neon lights around it.
- The Center was stunning at night as the light reflected off the complex geometry.
Other Interesting Places
- Essentially, there is no rural area in Hong Kong. Even in some remote areas, there will be tall skyscrapers.
- Hong Kong is built on very steep slopes, and there are not many public transit options to help us, so we have to rely on our feet sometimes. However, it’s interesting to navigate the complexly intertwined shopping malls built on the slopes.
Opinions
- I didn’t post a photo, but the hostel in Hong Kong was expensive, and the service was the worst I have ever experienced. Due to its density and the waste generated by shops, the old city’s air smells bad and is probably not good for health. The building had exceeded its lifespan, and the elevator door was bouncing while the hot water and air conditioner were broken. New buildings are designed for wealthy individuals, and old buildings are so hard to maintain, which makes housing unaffordable for many people.
- I think the Japanese government, in particular, doesn’t spend much money on the arts. I want to understand why so many countries focus on the arts if it is not financially attractive. The benefits of the arts are often unclear, but if we can present specific numbers, many places will be more eager to embrace art.
