For my upcoming trip to Hong Kong, I’ve settled on a photographic theme: old buildings. Specifically, I’m looking for buildings constructed before the 1970s and no taller than 20 stories.
Why Now?
Hong Kong faces a serious shortage of living space, and the city is constantly being redeveloped. The government has multi-year plans to renew older neighborhoods and make room for more residences. That redevelopment is much needed, but it also means any older structure could be replaced at any moment. Many places I photographed on past trips have already disappeared.
How I Research Before I Fly
As on previous trips, I do as much research as I can before getting on the plane. This time I’m searching for old buildings on social media, primarily Pinterest, then locating each one and bookmarking it in Google Maps. By the time I land, I have a map of places worth visiting.
Rediscovering Neighborhoods I Thought I Knew
While researching, something unexpected happened. I found several remarkable structures in areas I know very well, places I had walked past many times without a second thought.
Looking back, it makes sense. These are older districts that were often perceived as less safe. When I was young and living in Hong Kong, I avoided hanging out there. That perception has changed in recent years, and I don’t mind going now when I have a reason, such as dinner. But I rarely stop to look around. These areas are also very crowded, which makes me reluctant to stop and take pictures.
Still, there’s nothing like rediscovering something new in a place you thought you knew well. This trip, I plan to slow down and look up.
Have a favorite old building in Hong Kong that I should add to my list? Leave a comment below.