Instagram your way through these cool Hong Kong sights

You’ve seen it on social medias, in blockbuster movies and even music videos. Now, grab the opportunity to see it with your own eyes.

Hong Kong, one of the most densely populated cities in the world with over 7 million residents, is also home to some of the best Instagram worthy places that have also made their way to the pop culture scene. Here are the ones you can’t leave out of your Instagram feed.

1. Yik Cheong Building

Located at Quarry Bay, Yik Cheong Building (also known as Monster Building) is one of the “most Instagrammable” spots in Hong Kong. The conglomerate of five dense and stacked residential complexes have been featured in numerous mainstream media and gained much attention.

2.Choi Hung Estate

Choi Hung literally means “rainbow” in Cantonese, and the name itself is self-explanatory. Credit: Alexandr Bormotin on Unsplash

Located in Kowloon’s Wong Tai Sin district, Choi Hung Estate is one of the oldest and most popular public housing estate in Hong Kong. The array of eight different colours was thought up to help lift the spirits of the residents living there.

In 2016, a photograph of Choi Hung Estate taken by photographer Jimmi Ho won the Sony World Photography Awards, and the place blows up since then. Head to the basketball court, which also features vibrant colours, on the roof of the car park to snap your photos. The estate accommodates approximately 43000 people, so always be mindful not to disturb the residents.

3. Lok Wah Estate (South) Rooftop Car Park

 
Credit:Joel Fulgencio on unsplash.

Some may recognize these blue hoops from a music video by a Korean boy group GOT7. Also called the time tunnel after the design, the blue walls actually are simply a decoration at the rooftop of a car park of a regular housing estate. The fantasy and dreamy vibes these blue hoops give, especially when the shadows created by the sun’s position are right, turned the place into an artistic spot.

Built in 1985, Lok Wah Estate means “happy Chinese” in Cantonese. Navigating your way to the car park can be a little tricky, so try searching “Le Huanan Parking” on Google Maps.
 

4. Sai Wan Swimming Shed

Sai Wan Swimming Shed is just a stone’s throw away from the city center and is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle for a while. Come at dusk for a picture perfect moment with sunset as the backdrop.

As the name suggests, Sai Wan Swimming Shed is originally intended a public swimming place, but it’s deemed unsafe for amateur swimmers due to the rough water and frequent ferries passing by the area. Still, that doesn’t stop people from coming, but with photography equipments instead of swimming gears.
Credit:Lulu Lee on flickr
 
 

5. Lai Tak Tsuen, Tai Hang

Lai Tak Tsuen was built in 1975 as one of Hong Kong’s first public housing to be developed and consists of three buildings. While the strategic location on the slope of a hill and the view of the Victoria Harbour attract tenants.

Credit: Rob Bye on unsplashThe peculiar cylindrical design of the building attracts shutterbugs worldwide.

The building appeared in several commercials and music videos. Afternoon is the best time to visit Lai Tak Tsuen, but do remember to be quiet and not use camera flash.

6. Hong Kong Cultural Center, Tsim Sha Tsui

Credit: jurgen.proschinger on flickr.

This multipurpose entertainment facility opened its door in 1989. Located at Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong Cultural Centre houses a concert hall, a three-tiered grand theatre designed for ballet, opera and musicals, exhibition galleries and more. For avid Instagrammers and shutterbugs, the slanted tiled wall design of the exterior is the main attraction.

If you come at the right time,

the sun rays will create shadows that form the shape of number 7, which is considered lucky for the Chinese.

7. Jockey Club Innovation Tower

This place is still not widely known by the public, but it’s making its way through many Instagrammers. Situated within the Hong Kong Polytechnic University vicinity and designed by award-winning architect Zaha Hadid.

Credit: Virgile Simon Bertrand on flickr. The tower boasts of their own unique aesthetics with an unconventional building shape and athletic fields surrounding it.

The neutral plain grey concrete setting will spark your creativity and explore different ideas to strike your best pose. Sometimes, less is more.