Photo Story: Walking Through the Streets of Hong Kong

By Mark Wiens 21 Comments
hong-kong-skyline
Hong Kong skyline

Between the bookends of the world’s most breathtaking skyline lies a throbbing abundance of life on the streets and a multitude of human beings routinely ensuring the city continues to churn.

My second trip of 3 days in Hong Kong, and I am still amazed at this city of sky-rise buildings on an island.

How did the engineers design such a mad man-made creation, and how does the city survive, failing to collapse into the bay below?

Hong Kong is a premier business district of the world and many roll around in their finest garments to sky-rise cubicle jobs by day.  By night they go out for a few overpriced dinner cocktails or if the day was particularly stressful a couple of alcoholic shooters.

At the crack of dawn, family owned restaurants, vegetable market stalls, meat butchers, corner convenience stores, and stores full of odds and ends, open their shutters and add to the business mingle on the streets..

To make everything possible, construction workers with the help of bamboo poles fix things to code and keep the city hopefully from collapsing.

Though my budget and lifestyle doesn’t allow for a lengthy stay in the density of Hong Kong, I do enjoy a whirlwind walk, and a helter-skelter of wandering through the streets of Hong Kong.

hong-kong-vendor
Street shopping

Hordes of humans muster and then move together in a clump, a few leading but most following.

hong-kong-people
Crossing the street in Hong Kong

Amongst the bustle, there’s always a time to lay back, pause and take a break.

taking-a-break
Taking a break on the scaffolding

If you choose to not focus on a single thing amidst the flurry, vision becomes blurry and all the movement of the city and the lights blend together into a kaleidoscope of colors and motion.

traffic-hong-kong
A whirl of traffic in Hong Kong

Though many techniques have replaced traditional methods, nothing artificial has proved better than centuries old bamboo scaffolding.

bamboo-scaffolding
Do some repairs, love the bamboo scaffolding

At the base and in between ultra-modern glass buildings is an opportunity for people to supply food to the masses.

meat-stores-china
Market in central Hong Kong

Hong Kong takes advertising to absurd levels, especially with designer brands.  Even the most lowly nomad is slightly influenced and fights the need of a little designer wear…

louis-vuitton-hong-kong
Luxury in hong Kong

Hanging clothes and drab building conditions make the Chungking Mansions Hong Kong contrast with the modern glass skyscrapers.

corner-building
Highrise in Mongkok

Pausing in the middle of Mongkok is like a a motion painting where a million people pass by, determined to do whatever is on their mind.

mongkok-streets
Filming a tv show

An oxtail snakes into the path of thousands of people, waiting to be bought up and made into a delicious ox-tail stew.

Hong Kong
So many interesting things to see walking through Hong Kong

Having done construction in the United States, I always feel a little bit of pity for those who do construction in the tiniest of spaces or renovate in frightening conditions.

hong-kong-construction
Construction in Hong Kong
hong-kong-night
Famous Hong Kong skyline at night

Cramming 7 million people together is a recipe for unique ideas, business strategies, and an international culture.

A walk through the streets of Hong Kong is an exhilarating experience.

As the city flurries, take a moment to observe as things pass by at a rapid pace.

21 comments. I'd love to hear from you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

  • Steve

    13 years ago

    Great pics – really captures the wide contrasts in such a small area

    • teva

      11 years ago

      really enjoy all your informations on thailland been there plan to move march 28 you made it easier with all the choices posted I am pretty familiar with the area already thanks

    • Mark Wiens

      11 years ago

      Good to hear that Teva!

  • Zandro

    13 years ago

    Nice photos you got there. The streets of Hong Kong looks busy and teeming with lots of people and activity. Thanks for sharing this

  • ciki

    13 years ago

    ahhhh.. u make me miss hongkong! what, no shots of the dimsum.. how can? LOL, great post.. well captured:)

  • Dave and Deb

    13 years ago

    Awesome shots! We’ll be there in a week, can’t wait to visit Hong Kong.

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Cool Dave and Deb! It will be great to see your photos of Hong Kong too!

  • Andrew Murray

    13 years ago

    Wow fantastic photo post Mark. I love Hong Kong and really captured the hustle and bustle of the place!

  • Anil

    13 years ago

    Mark, I love these photo posts you do. Incredibly vivid and really convey the quick pace of the city.

  • Mark Wiens

    13 years ago

    @Ryan: I traveled directly from Bangkok, you can get easy and cheap flight via Air Asia!

    @Randall: Awesome, hope you get a chance to visit soon!

    @Bethany: Thanks Bethany!

  • Bethany

    13 years ago

    Great photos Mark! I love the different shots, esp. the one of the city from above!

  • PNR Status

    13 years ago

    Nice photos.Sorry we do not more about Hong Kong.

  • Randall

    13 years ago

    Wow! I love the birds eye view! I have never been to Hong Kong, well, only in the airport. The pictures remind me a little of Singapore but dirty. I’m sure it is an interesting place. Would love to go soon.

  • Ryan

    13 years ago

    Looks great Mark, I must try and make a trip there when i’m in Asia next year. Did you fly from Bangkok or travel up from Hanoi?

  • lakshmi

    13 years ago

    Ah brought back nostalgic memories ..