Inside Hong Kong's Kowloon Walled City
25 years ago in March, bulldozers moved in to tear down the Kowloon Walled City, a condemned slum area that now evokes fascination and revulsion in Hong Kong’s collective memory.
The South China Morning Post's Infographics team took a look inside the walls at the lives of the people who lived in the walled city.
City of Imagination: Kowloon Walled City 20 Years Later
The Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong was once the densest place on earth, a virtually lawless labyrinth of crime, grime, commerce and hope. A Wall Street Journal documentary tracks its colorful legacy and brings the place alive 20 years later.
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Kowloon Walled City: Hong Kong's City of Darkness
Check my other channel Biographics!
Imagine, if you will, a city of eternal night. A place so intensely crowded that sunlight never penetrates its alleyways. Overhead, wires dangle from the ceilings. Neon signs fizz in doorways. All around you, 33,000 people are crammed into self-built apartments barely 10m square, while overhead great airships rumble through sky. Is this a vision from the future? The setting, perhaps, for some dystopian sci-fi novel?
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Source/Further reading:
Concise history of the Walled City:
(some history and accounts of a happier side):
Interesting documentary by the Wall Street Journal:
WSJ Interactive:
BBC footage from inside the Walled City at the time (1980) (good footage, but reportage focused on the negatives):
Average US bedroom size:
A rare look inside the Kowloon Walled City in 1990
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The Kowloon Walled City, a bizarre chapter of Hong Kong’s colonial history, was demolished 25 years ago. Rob Frost captured remarkable footage inside the enclave in 1990.
Kowloon Walled City Documentary (with subs)
Documentary filmed in 1988 about the Kowloon Walled City by an Austrian camera team, with English subtitles. I took it upon myself to re-sub the original video as best as possible, the original version is hard-subbed on a version of this film with very poor quality, the subs are also worded incorrectly in some places. So all I've done I re-subbed the whole thing and put it onto a better quality video clip.
Best places to eat in Hong Kong: cultural cuisines in old Kowloon City
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Kowloon City is in the eastern part of Kowloon, Hong Kong, near the old Kai Tak Airport. The district has a long history that dates back to the 13th century. SCMP senior culture writer Bernice Chan followed foodie Chris Leung around his neighbourhood in search of some of the best tasty bites.
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Kowloon Walled City BBC Documentary 1980 (Subtitles)
Alan Wicker enters the Kowloon Walled City and is taken on a tour by Australian Ted Brown, and also visits the drug rehabilitation center ran by Jackie Pullinger and her team of friends, there is also an interview with Jackie Pullinger and her stories she has to tell.
The first part of the video is maybe more interesting as it's actually based in the walled city; on the tour with Ted Brown(the Aussie) and when interviewing the two girls, the other part is an interview with Jackie Pullinger. They do seem very keen on their work on helping druggies, but even I myself think they aren't very down to earth, Alan Wicker does well to keep the interviews going. Surely when he's interviewing the girl called Anne he asks her how she gets her food seeing as they don't earn any money as the work is voluntary her answer is God provides, I guess all he could do was blink and carry on. I gather he came prepared for his visit and he was good at his job, but the girls didn't seem very keen. Plus it's hard to get answers out of people when they give you answers like that, I take it she just didn't want to tell him where they get the money to eat.
Nevertheless, still worth a watch.
Kowloon Walled City - Hong Kong - Numbers - Call of Duty: Black Ops
Kowloon Walled City - Hong Kong - Numbers - Call of Duty: Black Ops.
This is a video of the S.O.G. team fighting enemy soldiers in Kowloon Walled City, Hong Kong and collecting info from a scientist in the Numbers mission in Call of Duty: Black Ops.
Call of Duty: Black Ops is a first-person shooter video game, developed by Treyarch and published by Activision. It was released worldwide on November 9, 2010 for Microsoft Windows, the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii, with a separate version for Nintendo DS developed by n-Space. Aspyr later released the game for OS X on September 27, 2012. It is the seventh title in the Call of Duty series and the third to be developed by Treyarch. It serves as the sequel to Call of Duty: World at War.
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Kowloon Walled City, Hong Kong. 1990
Until it was demolished in 1993 Kowloon Walled City (九龍城寨) in Hong Kong was the most densely populated place on Earth, ever. Cantonese called it the City of Darkness. Due to it being a Chinese enclave surrounded by a British Colony it was not governed by either China or Britain. Instead it was mostly run by triad gangs. It was a hive of opium dealing, prostitution and a bolt hole for criminals in Hong Kong as police would not follow them or find them if they dared.
It was a dark, damp, dystopian place but most of the people who lived there were good, honest hard-working people.
THIS IS A VIDEO I TOOK IN 1990 WHEN I LIVED IN HONK KONG.
Unfortunately, I have lost the original tape. This is the only copy I could find on an old VHS tape where I had added Jan Hammer music when I got home to show my mates.
JAN HAMMER ( )
Music on this video is by the brilliant Czech-American musician JAN HAMMER. Anyone as old as me will remember him for the 'Miami Vice' theme and background music. These are two more of his less known tracks from his cd. The First one called TRANCE the second ONE WAY OUT.
When I uploaded this video to the web it had captions. Unfortunately, this service is no longer available on YouTube but if you want a list of bullet points about Kowloon Walled City see below:
====================================================
Closed captions (now no longer available on YouTube) in this video:
- The Walled City was a Chinese enclave surrounded by the British territory of Hong Kong. It was virtually ungoverned.
- The 6.5 acres of 10-14 storey buildings was home to 33,000 people. 1 person per square metre.
- Construction in the City was unregulated and 14 storey tower blocks were built just feet apart.
- It was run by Triad gangs such as the 14K and Sun Yee On
- It was one of the world's largest opium producing centres.
- It was well known for its cheap, unlicensed doctors and dentists.
- Criminals in Hong Kong would make a run for the Walled City as they knew the police wouldn't follow them in.
- KWC was known for its prostitution.
- Although the Walled City was renowned for its criminal activity, most residents were not involved in any crime and lived normal lives.
- There was constant running water everywhere I went from leaking pipes and aircons. This was filmed on a hot, sunny day.
- Numerous small factories and businesses thrived inside the Walled City. The famous, top quality Hong Kong copies were manufactured here.
- In Hong Kong it was illegal to eat cats and dogs but in KWC there were restaurants that specialised.
- The city didn't get running water until the 1960's. Even then it was diverted to triad run businesses so most people never got it.
- A few of the streets were illuminated by fluorescent lights but most were too dark for me to film.
- On upper levels there was a network of staircases and passageways which was so extensive that residents could travel north to south across the city without ever touching the ground.
- In 1993 the Walled City was demolished and replaced by a commemorative park.
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Hong Kong, Ladys Market, Kowloon
Hong Kong, my first day in Hong Kong, walking to Ladys Market. Kowloon. Russian girl travels to Asia. SUBSCRIBE - :D
Thank you SO MUCH everyone for LIKES, Comments and SUBSCRIPTION!
#HongKong, #Kowloon, Hong Kong, Markets
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Kowloon City Walk Around
Vlog#5 was shot on 21-11-2015 (I am so late on uploads). A fun day in Kowloon city and my first electrical skateboard unboxing, enjoy.
Music by
Derlee
#粵語YouTuber
KOWLOON CITY HK 4K
SHot By DJI Mavic Pro in 4K
shoot on Kowloon Tsai Park
Song By: Cold Play (Sky Full of Stars)
Hongkong, Kowloon - China Travel Channel
Kowloon City - 九龙 城- is a district of Hong Kong. It developed from a Chinese fortress which was build on the opposite site of the Hong Kong Island, which was leased to Great Britain.
Kowloon City should not to be confused with the urban area Kowloon, the biggest part of the Special Administrative Region Hongkong of the People's Republic of China . Kowloon -- 九龍 - means Nine Dragons and was coined by the last emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty.
Coming from Hong Kong Island, we enjoy the views of the scenery of Hong Kong Central from the waterfront in front of the town hall and watch the training for the annual Dragon Boat races.
Main shopping street in Kowloon City is the Nathan Road. However, in the densely populated area, there are a number of known markets. In addition to the meat and vegetable market, the Bird Market and the Jade Market are the most popular.
We were surprised, when we suddenly stand in front of a small cruise ship surrounded by skyscrapers, the Wampoa. Even more surprising was to see a large ice skating rink inside, which brings a pleasant cooling in the midst of the tropical climate.
......
please read more:
Kowloon City -- 九龍城, ist ein Stadtteil von Hongkong. Er entwickelte sich aus einer chinesischen Festung, die gegenüber dem an Großbritannien verpachteten Hongkong Island errichtet wurde.
Kowloon City sollte nicht mit Kowloon -- 九龍 - dem größten Teil der Sonderverwaltungszone Hongkong der Volksrepublik China verwechselt werden. Kowloon bedeutet neun Drachen und wurde vom letzten Kaiser der südlichen Song-Dynastie geprägt.
Von Hongkong Island kommend erfreuen wir uns auf der Uferpromenade vor dem Rathaus über den Ausblick auf die Kulisse von Hongkong Central und beobachten das Training für das jährliche Drachenbootrennen.
Wichtigste Einkaufsstraße in Kowloon City ist die Nathanroad. Doch in dem dicht besiedelten Gebiet befinden sich eine Reihe bekannter Märkte. Neben dem Fleisch- und Gemüsemarkt sind der Bird Market und der Jade Market die bekanntesten.
Überrascht stehen wir plötzlich inmitten von Hochhäusern vor einem kleinen Kreuzfahrtschiff, der Wampoa. Noch mehr überrascht uns im Inneren ein großer Eislaufplatz, der inmitten des tropischen Klimas eine angenehme Abkühlung bringt.
Neben daoistischen Tempel kommen wir auch an einer Moschee und einer christlichen Kirche vorbei.
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Weitere Infos im Reisevideoblog:
Big Bus Tour Hong Kong of Kowloon, Central, Aberdeen, Stanley Island 2018 (Hong Kong City Tour)
Hong Kong City is a made of 261 small or large islands around the beautiful Victoria harbour. Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, Lantau Island and Stanley are the most important islands or areas to be covered during your city tour. Hong Kong Island the central part of Hong Kong, it is the political and financial hub of the city. Hong Kong island and Ap Lei Chau are the most densely populated areas in the world. The central Hong Kong comprises of the most popular and most pictured skyscrapers of Hong Kong. Kowloon Peninsula on the other side of Victoria harbour is also quite densely populated and is also a commercial hub of the city. The city offers many parks, temples, museums, markets, bustling streets, traditional markets, large shopping centre’s, theme parks, beaches, mountain peaks, lakes, harbours, fishing villages, Buddhist monuments luxurious hotels and many more to keep you occupied for many days during your trip to Hong Kong. There are endless sightseeing’s and activities and experiences for every type of tourists of any age group. Hong Kong Island or the central Hong Kong hosts the most happening nightlife, the worlds longest outdoor covered escalator, funicular Tram, City trams, temples, worlds most expensive houses, huge shopping malls, fashion street, food street and popular markets. The two main islands are well connected with Star Ferry and Hong Kong MTR. Stanley Island offers beautiful beaches and peaks and outskirts of the city. Lantau Island is located near Pearl river and it’s is famous for the Buddhist monuments, its peaks and beautiful scenic sights, It’s a good sight for the hikers.
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【4K Hong Kong Walk Tour】Kowloon City 九龍城 @ Weekday's noon (2019-Apr-3)
1. This video is made by (1) Gopro 7 Black and (2) Hehom iSteady Pro 3-Axis gimbal (3) PowerDirector editing apps US$ 35 per year
2. Please support me, or (where your name and amount will appear on the Live Streaming.)
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My name is Dennis. In 2009, I opened this channel to record or document this city. I know something is being changed in next decade(s), or I felt the change have began since 2003, no later in 2046. I want to, at least, save some kind of city life in video form instead of taken photo or written in words. I strongly believe that motion picture and sound recording are much better way to preserve and present in the future when young generation want to get know of Hong Kong.
In May of 2018, I wrote the following statement in below:
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Hi everyone, thank you for supporting me in fulfilling my childhood dream of making videos.
My parents had always taken a tolerant attitude toward my “capricious”: whether my work is feasible and sustainable... and they never complained about it.
As my father just passed away in May, I am left with no choice but to give up my video making venture.
In Hong Kong where the cost of living is sky high, youtube video making is simply not sustainable by google adsense alone. The revenue produced is way too insufficient for affording a domestic helper, and I must look after my mom all by myself - this is why I must stay very close to her at all times.
Unless my revenue is closed to market rate, or my income can cover a domestic helper, otherwise I can hardly justify any video-related works.
Therefore, from now on everything video will be postponed in terms of year(s).
Thank you, and hope to see you all again in the future.
..............................................................
Because I am the only son of my mother in Hong Kong, and I have to take care of her at home. I almost give up this channel because of high consumption of time and living cost. But I found some extra time.
I live in Fanling, north part of New Territories, so it will include my showtime of traveling back and forth. Because of home care to my old mother, there will be no time other than 9:00 to 16:00 because my mother is staying at the senior daycare center, so before and after that, I will NOT able to do filming.
I understand most of you are looking for high quality of video, e.g. 4K or 8K. But hardware is so important at this post-production, that is, the higher quality video, the higher powerful computer to render video. In recently, I solved matter by paid for PowerDirector apps to make 4K on my Pocophone F1, 1 hour of 4K video = 2 hour to make, besides, the convert 4K file time is around 24 hours......
I will continue to run this channel as long as the time is fit-on-me or I don't see any kind of video job could fit me.
I hope this is clear to everyone.
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HongKongMap:
ULTRA HD 4K POOR SIDE OF HONG KONG | KOWLOON CITY 九龍城
#ultrahd #uhd #hd #4k #hongkong #hk #virtualwalk #kowlooncity
Come on a virtual drive on the poor side of Hong Kong, KOWLOON CITY 九龍城, with its dilapidated and aged housing. Our video is filmed in Ultra HD 4K, so it is crystal clear, so you can experience it like virtual reality.
Kowloon City is an old district in Hong Kong; however, it has been transforming into a modern district with a lot of new shops and restaurants over the years. The district is well known for its wide range of cuisine. Other than the traditional Hong Kong-style restaurants that offer local dishes, there are numerous restaurants that offer Southeast Asian dishes like Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian. Many Thai grocery stores can be found throughout this place, too. Due to the prevalence of Thai restaurants and stores as well as the population of Thai-speaking ethnic Chinese, Kowloon City is also known as Hong Kong's Little Thailand.[3] It is not only a food paradise for authentic main dishes of many cultures, but also a popular place for both traditional Hong Kong-style and western desserts.
Part of the district was the location of the original Kowloon Walled City, erected during the Qing dynasty. This is now Kowloon Walled City Park. The former Kai Tak International Airport was also located in the district.
In 1982, Hong Kong was divided into 18 administrative districts, and Kowloon City and its neighbouring areas, such as Hung Hom, now belong to the Kowloon City District.
Prior to 1998, a strict building height restriction was imposed in Kowloon City to minimize the hazards of air traffic commuting through the Kai Tak Airport. The closure of Kai Tak as a result of the opening of the new Hong Kong International Airport lifted the height restriction, and more high-rise apartments started to appear.
The above is an excerpt from Wikipedia.
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【4K】2019 Walking Tour - 九龍寨城公園 Kowloon Walled City Park In Kowloon City District, Hong Kong
Walking Tour - 九龍寨城公園 Kowloon Walled City Park In Kowloon City District, Hong Kong
Kowloon Walled City Park sits on the very site of the former Kowloon Walled City, remembered today as a haven of crime and debauchery.
The site occupies a strategic point along the Kowloon peninsula and has been used by Chinese imperial officials since the 16th century.
In 1841, when Hong Kong Island was ceded to Britain, Kowloon Walled City was already a garrison and was reinforced by the Chinese Government.
The fort’s fate changed in 1898 when the New Territories were leased to Britain for 99 years. Although the walled city remained Chinese territory by treaty, the following year their troops and officials were forced to vacate.
Behind them they left a power vacuum that was filled by criminals, and the garrison became a city within a city.
I hope you will enjoy it!
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Explained: Kowloon Walled City
The peculiar case of a 14-story slum in Hong Kong. Not kidding.
36 buildings demolished in about 20 seconds in Chinese city
36 buildings are demolished in about 20 seconds, with 2.5 tons of dynamite, in Zhengzhou, capital city of China's Henan Province.
Hong Kong's infamous Kowloon Walled City: a 3D reconstruction of the densest city on Earth
April 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of the demolition of the Kowloon Walled City, a largely ungoverned slum that was once considered the densest settlement on Earth.
The city, a unique urban experiment, had about 50,000 inhabitants occupying only 300 buildings, which were crammed together into a living space that followed its own set of laws.
Governed by the Chinese mafia known as 'the Triads', the city became famous in the 1980s for its brothels, casinos and opium dens.
Living conditions were squalid, with cramped and dirty spaces, no direct sunlight, patchy or non-existent electricity, and no garbage collection.
Nevertheless, the city's population grew fivefold in just 40 years, from 10,000 to 50,000 people in 1990.
Rent was on average only HKD35 a month (about US$4 today) and no taxes were charged or paid. It was therefore very attractive for doctors and dentists and manufactures who could practice without licenses, or people who could not afford to live elsewhere.
The city's unique political status and anarchic conditions, however, made it an embarrassment for the British government, who after a difficult eviction process, started tearing it down in 1993.
The demolition ended in April 1994. A year later, the place was transformed into a Qing Dynasty style garden.
This animation recreates the historical process that lead to the creation of this fascinating city, and eventually to its disappearance.