I was only in Hong Kong for a day and didn’t wander around all that much, but I had to smile at how resilient this great city is.
Resilient Hong Kong – A Photo Essay
I have not hidden my dismay over Beijing’s crackdown on dissent in this “Special Administrative Region” of the People’s Republic of China. I think the crackdown is a clear violation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, not that the UK has any real power to reassert territorial claims. It was my first time back in Hong Kong since the pandemic and I had heard a lot of bad news…that it just wasn’t the place it used to be.
While fair to say that I did not stay long enough, the sites and smells and sounds of Hong Kong brought back very pleasant memories. This is still a well-run, clean, and ordered city (not that many cities in the Mainland are not), and there’s something special about the nitty-gritty streets, high-rise buildings, and sounds of Cantonese.
Please enjoy the photos below:
My stay in Hong Kong was lovely and I look forward to returning again.
Was just there May 23-26, stayed at the JW Marriott. I fell in love with HK all over again. The food, the blend of old world and new world, top 3 favorite city in Asia (Tokyo, Shanghai, & HK I’d say). As an added bonus, used my Plus Points to confirm into Polaris roundtrip!
Hong Kong is my favorite city in the world. It would have been even better if China didn’t ruin it.
By the way, here’s something interesting. Not sure if you can read Cantonese, but there are some billboards in places like Central, as well as the banners that they post on sidewalks, that basically act as propaganda saying how good the national security law is for Hong Kong. These are almost never translated into English because they are meant for the locals, but every time I see one I get immensely disappointed. Other than that, very few things about HK actually change.
During my time there I also saw a car with blue Chinese plates (think it was a rolls royce/lincoln or one of the Chinese copies of these brands) waving the Chinese flag. Now that one almost made me want to crash into it…
My favorite city in the world. I can’t wait to get back. I’m happy to hear it looks and feels like old times.
Did you have a pineapple bun in Hong Kong or the egg tart? I hear they are good.
“and sounds of Canonense”
Oops.
I was in HK in 1996 (before the Handover to China) and in 1998 (after the Handover), and I miss the British influence. Fortunately, I got to experience Kai Tak one last time in 1996.
I was there during the protests the only time business class was half empty on American DFW-HKG. I took two trips in a span of 3 weeks . 4 flights in AA business class non rev free tickets. It’s a great place. Victorias peak. The uber to and from the airport thru a maze of hovering skyscrapers is stunning.
The second to last photo has someone with toilet paper hanging out. What is that?????
Do your research, that’s a Hufflepuff scarf. It’s just too warm out at that hour to wear around the neck.
I just left Hong Kong yesterday after two-year hiatus. I was rationed there in 2022 and 2023, and have been in and out of Hong Kong since 1992 for work. It is such a magnificent city and a true miracle to go from a small fishing island to an international financial center.
It is quite a different place as I reflect on my 30+ years of HK experience. Nothing stays the same and just need to embrace the changes and stay positive instead of looking back.
Interestingly I met a friend in HK who has traveled to the U.S. for the past 30+ years and also lived in the U.S. for awhile. He has almost the same reflection on the U.S. as my reflection on HK. He feels the recent U.S. political situation has created so much negativity about the U.S., and people are looking back and reminiscing the period when U.S. was a true leader and maintain stability around the world. Now… it is just so different.
The world has indeed changed.
Appreciate your reflection, UA_Flyer!
agree with others that Hong Kong is one of my favorite cities in the world.
Born and raised in Hong Kong and migrated to USA some 40 years ago. First of all, I don’t know how people deal with the heat and humidity most of the year, it’s just awful. Secondly, food has become very expensive and not very good. I don’t know what hour of the day you took those photographs but that’s so far from reality. Streets are overflown with people and cars most of the time, it’s hard to find a place quiet enough to hear yourself think. If I hadn’t had to return every year to visit with family I would not spend a day there.
This was midday…around noon.
Did you talked to any locals? (those who have been in HK for 10+ years.) I’m sure they’ll tell you a different story.
The pictures you posted sure look quiet. I’m confident that had PRC honored their 50-year status quo agreement, then the streets would be a lot busier.
#June4th
God forbid should there ever be an earthquake in Hong Kong. Those A/C units and heat pump compressors hanging on the side of older buildings would crush the pedestrians below!!