[:en]In our #HomeKong series, we highlight experiences that spark and re-awaken love? for our city. Times might be tough, but we can still lead a fun and active lifestyle – all while re-discovering the wonderful things that make Hong Kong special.
This week – feast your eyes, feed your Instagram and nourish your soul with these HK urban architecture. Get out. Explore. Enjoy!
?Choi Hung Estate
Housing estates tell the story of our people. Choi Hung (“rainbow”), built in 1964 to provide affordable housing, is home to 18,000 folks. The estate is painted in 8 colours, hence the name, to uplift the residents’ spirits. The rainbow basketball court is also a magical, psychedelic fantasy. There’s something retro-cool about it all. Every picture is like a Polaroid snapshot.
Address: 2 Tse Wai Ave, Ngau Chi Wan, Hong Kong
Lok Wah Estate
This public housing estate was completed in the early 80s. It’s not really about the estate, itself, this time… It’s about the car park. Getting here’s a bit tricky because Instagram doesn’t tag it properly. Search ‘Le Huanan Parking’ (Mandarin for Lok Wah South Parking) on Gogle Maps, instead. Knock yourself out at the hypnotic, blue circles that form an Alice in Wonderland-like rabbit hole.
Address: Ngau Tau Kok
Yick Cheong Building & Montane Mansion
This cluster of five residential complexes is the perfect picture of Hong Kong’s urban density. It has even found fame beyond the ‘Gram, featuring in Hollywood movies such as Ghost in the Shell and Transformers: Age of Extinction.
Address: King’s Road, Quarry Bay
Lai Tak Tsuen
If you ever wondered what it’s like to be in a silo, look no further than Lai Tak Tsuen in Tai Hang. Four out of this estate’s eight blocks were built in a cylindrical shape. Once inside, there’s a vertiginous atrium from which light spills and shades every floor with dramatic shadow. Just a note to keep your expectations low, because this is one housing estate where strangers are likely to get chased out by security. If you do manage a few minutes inside, take your pic quickly.
Address: Tai Hang
Blue House
The granddaddy of all public housing estates, this tong lau (tenement building) built in 1922 is a 4-storey Lingan-style house with gorgeous balconies. Within the same cluster are the Yellow and Orange houses, but it’s the brilliant, blue hue that stands out the most. Its restoration received UNESCO Asia-Pacific’s Cultural Heritage Conservation Award of Excellence in 2017.
Today, the cluster is a multi-functional complex with residential units as well as community centres that host events and exhibitions.
72-74A Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai
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