As always, the most beautiful of discoveries lie beyond center city and are found deep in the outskirts. Say hello to Quarry Bay.
If you’re looking to escape the expat bubble and tourists, head 20 minutes East by subway to Quarry Bay. We ended our first day in Hong Kong right here. With 7.4 million people residing in Hong Kong and cramming to get closer to Central, it’s no surprise that new office buildings and residential areas are on the rise every other day. Quarry Bay is one of those quintessential areas that brings to life just how dense the city and it’s outskirts are.
Architecturally speaking Kings Road and its neighboring “mansions” are some of the best examples of urban development. The area has many hidden residential areas just waiting to be discovered. Remember to be respectful when visiting these areas. People live here and your should respect their privacy and the quietness of the neighborhood. At the center of these mansions typically lies a courtyard. The courtyard is lined with tea shops, stores, barber shops, and more. The locals can be seen drinking tea and playing traditional Chinese games on the tables outside.
Pictured below is “Monster Building,” dubbed as such because of the conglomeration of five extremely compact and monstrously tall buildings molded together in this courtyard. Monster Building is an iconic symbol of what public housing towers looked like in the 50s and 60s, when refugees from mainland China fled to the city in search of places to stay. The Hong Kong government was forced to create these beehive buildings to manage the influx of people along with others, such as Choi Hung Estate. Quarry Bay and its Monster Buildings were probably the most authentic slice of Hong Kong I experienced during my trip. Sure, it was not glitzy and glamorous, but it offered a glimpse into your every day middle class Hong Kong residence.
Kings Road
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