Europe Trip 2025 - Hongkong

Hong Kong (pop. 7.5m) is somewhat similar to Singapore (pop. 6.1m) which is about 2500 km away: it was a British colony, English is still an official language, cars drive on the left, the currency is also called dollar, there are streets, parks, and places with the familiar names of British queens and kings, there is an MTR and double-decker buses, and of course the way it looks: space is constrained leading to extremely high density living (4th in the world, after Singapore), creating forests of high scrapers, and it's hot an humid. 

There are differences too: Hong Kong is part of China, Singapore is a city-state. In Hong Kong 88% of residents speak Cantonese at home, in Singapore 48% speak English, 30% Mandarin and 9% Malay.

For me a big difference was also in bike riding. In Singapore I saw people riding bikes, in Hong Kong - I didn't. 

The view of the city from the tram descending from Victoria Peak (552 m):

Day...

...and night with cyberpunk vibes.

A flock of double-decker buses.

This looks dystopian.

It's not rich people living here...

...or here.

This is an interesting church.

Hello double-decker tram.

The only bike I saw in HK is in this photo.

Amazing roots.

This looks utopian.

Tai Chi Garden

The first SARS epidemic was a big deal in Hong Kong. About 300 people died. The second SARS virus killed over 13 thousand.

.......

Bamboo scaffolding, narrow footpath, wide road.

A view from the peak.

International Finance Centre is 412m tall.

International Commerce Centre is 484m tall.

The size of these residential towers is overwhelming.

The airport has some unique features:

The airport has interesting décor and utilities: giant screens playing children movies, giant chess, pleasant colours, some flowers: