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Revisiting Hong Kong

by Coole Photography on April 8, 2013 Leave a comment

Goldfish in plastic bags, amazing skyscrapers and walkways which make for great shoot locations – three things I love about Hong Kong and three things that can be seen in the same area. I never tire of this wonderful island, each time I visit I have new shoot ideas and there is usually a new skyscraper for me to go and see. The chaos and the colour, the old mixed so effortlessly with the new, Hong Kong really is unique.

“On first acquaintance Hong Kong can overwhelm. Navigate its teeming, tightly packed sidewalks and you’re met at every turn with neon signage, steam-filled canteens, molasses-slow traffic and a Babel of chatter. Once this first sensory wave has rolled over you, though, take a deep breath and start swimming with the current, because you’ll find Hong Kong is a place to delight in.” Lonely Planet

Using the same format as my last blog, I think giving you a brief overview of certain locations makes the most sense for this post as a day by day account would be extremely difficult to write, and slightly confusing to read, as I tend to zigzag across this fabulous island each and every time I am lucky enough to visit.

One of the newest additions to Hong Kong’s skyline is the Central Government Complex, a name which doesn’t really sound all that flashy but the building itself more than makes up for that! Designed by the Gammon-Hip Hing group, the architecture used is a far cry from the usual bland government building designs, but instead it is a mix of postmodern architecture and low-frills international design.

Central Government Complex for the offices of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, designed by Gammon-Hip Hing group the complex houses the Office of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, the Legislative Council of Hong Kong and the Central Government Offices. Central Government Complex for the offices of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, designed by Gammon-Hip Hing group the complex houses the Office of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, the Legislative Council of Hong Kong and the Central Government Offices. Central Government Complex for the offices of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, designed by Gammon-Hip Hing group the complex houses the Office of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, the Legislative Council of Hong Kong and the Central Government Offices.

If you are ever walking around Hong Kong and wonder where all the tourists have gone, the answer is Victoria Peak. If a single image could encapsulate Hong Kong, it would be the panorama from this amazing location. Looking down at the city from this famous vantage point is a must, and if you have time should be done both during the day and then again in the evening.

The historic Peak Tram funicular has been making the steep climb to the top of Victoria Peak since 1888. Breathtaking view of the Hong Kong Island skyline, Victoria Harbour and the Kowloon area on a sunny day, as seen from Victoria Peak. Breathtaking view of the Hong Kong Island skyline, Victoria Harbour and the Kowloon area at dusk, as seen from the Lugard Road Viewpoint on Victoria Peak.

The Bank of China Tower is one of the most recognisable skyscrapers in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong. Although impressive and very photogenic by itself, the photographs that can be taken here are made that much better by the addition of the surrounding buildings, namely the ICBC Tower and the Citibank Plaza. The area surrounding these buildings is also great for night time photography.

Illuminated skyscrapers - including the Bank of China, ICBC Tower and the Citibank Plaza - on Garden Road located in the Central district of Hong Kong Island. Illuminated skyscrapers - including the Bank of China, ICBC Tower and the Citibank Plaza - on Garden Road located in the Central district of Hong Kong Island. The illuminated Bank of China as seen from an elevated walkway, located on Garden Road in the Central district of Hong Kong Island. The illuminated Bank of China as seen from an elevated walkway, located on Garden Road in the Central district of Hong Kong Island.
A close up view of the Far East Finance Centre, the Lippo Centre, the Bank of China and the ICBC Tower, all located in the Central district of Hong Kong Island. A close up view of the Far East Finance Centre, the Lippo Centre, the Bank of China and the ICBC Tower, all located in the Central district of Hong Kong Island. A close up view of numerous skyscrapers, located in the Admiralty District on Hong Kong Island.

From world class architecture we now jump to goldfish! As odd as it may sound, the Goldfish market in Hong Kong has long been a favourite spot for photographers, simply because brightly coloured fish are very pretty but also because everyone needs a break from staring upwards and straining their necks every now and again – I know I certainly did!

Dozens of varieties of fish for sale in the Goldfish Market, also known as the Tropical Fish Market, located on Tung Choi Street in Mongkok. Dozens of varieties of fish for sale in the Goldfish Market, also known as the Tropical Fish Market, located on Tung Choi Street in Mongkok. Dozens of varieties of fish for sale in the Goldfish Market, also known as the Tropical Fish Market, located on Tung Choi Street in Mongkok. Dozens of varieties of fish for sale in the Goldfish Market, also known as the Tropical Fish Market, located on Tung Choi Street in Mongkok.

Chater Garden, the favoured spot for political rallies and demonstrations, is a peaceful garden located slap bang in the middle of the busiest and most chaotic district of Hong Kong, Central. Although busy throughout the day this garden often seems deserted at night, which makes taking photographs here a very surreal experience. There are of course numerous high tech fountains and in true Hong Kong form there are hundreds of lights which put on a little show continuously throughout the evening.

The illuminated Bank of China as seen from the Chater Garden public park located in the Central District of Hong Kong. The illuminated AIA building and other skyscrapers as seen from the Chater Garden public park located in the Central District of Hong Kong. The illuminated Cheung Kong Centre and the Bank of China, as seen from the Chater Garden public park located in the Central District of Hong Kong. The illuminated AIA building and other skyscrapers as seen from the Chater Garden public park located in the Central District of Hong Kong.

The Central district is home to many multinational financial services, corporations and consulates, but for the average tourist you come to this area to shop! The shopping centres available in this area are absolutely enormous, I can honestly say that I have been well and truly lost on more than one occasion in these malls and now tend to only look at them from the outside, simply for the fear of never being able to get out again! The roads around here are always busy and I thought it would be nice to get some traffic light trails with the shops as a background (which guaranteed not getting lost!).

View of traffic on Pedder Street and Mau Yin Street as seen from an elevated walkway, located in the Central District of Hong Kong Island. View of traffic on Pedder Street as seen from an elevated walkway, located in the Central District of Hong Kong Island. View of traffic on Pedder Street and Mau Yin Street as seen from an elevated walkway, located in the Central District of Hong Kong Island.
A view of various skyscrapers including Jardine House and the Exchange Square building complex, situated around Connaught Place and located in the Central District of Hong Kong. View of traffic on Pedder Street as seen from street level, located in the Central District of Hong Kong Island. View of traffic on Pedder Street as seen from an elevated walkway, located in the Central District of Hong Kong Island.

I’ll end with my favourite location on the island, my secret shooting spot in the Admiralty district. I am quite sure I’m not the only one who goes to this place but as yet I have never seen another photographer on this particular roof, which is a shame as the shots from here are fabulous…

Illuminated skyscrapers - including the Bank of China, the Cheung Kong Centre and the Lippo Centre - on Garden Road located in the Central district of Hong Kong Island. Illuminated skyscrapers - including the Bank of China, the Cheung Kong Centre and the Lippo Centre - on Garden Road located in the Central district of Hong Kong Island. The illuminated Lippo Centre, a pair of twin office towers in Hong Kong, previously known as the Bond Centre, with numerous other buildings in the background, as seen from Garden Road in the Admiralty District on Hong Kong Island.
Illuminated skyscrapers including the Lippo Centre, a pair of twin office towers in Hong Kong, previously known as the Bond Centre, located at 89 Queensway in the Admiralty District on Hong Kong Island. The illuminated Lippo Centre, a pair of twin office towers in Hong Kong, previously known as the Bond Centre, located at 89 Queensway in the Admiralty District on Hong Kong Island. Traffic passing the illuminated Lippo Centre, a pair of twin office towers in Hong Kong, previously known as the Bond Centre, located at 89 Queensway in the Admiralty District on Hong Kong Island. Traffic passing the illuminated Lippo Centre, a pair of twin office towers in Hong Kong, previously known as the Bond Centre, with numerous banking buildings in the background, as seen from Cotton Tree Drive in the Admiralty District on Hong Kong Island.
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