It’s all about height in Hong Kong
When in Hong Kong, looking up seems a part of life. Layer upon layer, terrace upon terrace, buildings tall and lean sit neatly stacked side by side, practically knocking on neighbours doors. In Hong Kong, height is of the utmost importance as land is scarce and expensive.
Narrow streets and lanes wind their way around the island’s hills, where hundreds of steps all purposely built, join and counter join these feeder roads and streets. Roads that seem as though they were carefully built to link time and era together: colonial and modern.
by Cate
On Hong Kong island be prepared for a hard workout. Hunting for cafes and bars, teahouses and antique shops, means working your way around and up through countless streets. Getting lost is part of the game plan. While these steeply terraced heights can overwhelm the flat lander, there are spots where temples reside, designed not only for quiet prayer but also for catching back that lost breath.
by Cate
Daylight and air can be sparse between the streets and buildings, giving a sense of claustrophobia. Head back towards the harbour and the terrain levels out changing that crowded feeling into one of relieved calm.
Here at the harbour, watching the ferries traffic passengers, and barges moving life on, Kowloon surprises you with new heights and splendor. Part of motherland’s investment and progress, and a strong desire to reach for those stars.
by Cate
Time will determine the shape of Kowloon’s cityscape and whether it will start to mirror its sister in Shanghai. Perhaps old Kowloon will be preserved or give way to even newer growth. For now it remains static, captured in time, as a future memoir for an elderly traveller.
Caffinated Traveller
HK has variety I see … steepness, too. I assume that it’s not bicycel friendly — but is it pedestrian friendly?
Steep like San Francisco and Wellington NZ. It’s pedestrian friendly although busy and narrow. Plenty of public transport on offer to take you around.
Absolutely agree it’s all about height in HK. We too saw some pencil thin high rises in HK – unbelievably high! – and there’s no doubt that the buildings would sway with the wind if the winds are strong. But the land is limited, so what are they to do? *LOL* I think Singapore’s headed that way too, though I hope not too soon.
Architecture in HK I find interesting too.
Cheryl
The style of writing is very familiar to me. Have you written guest posts for other bloggers?