oC % Climbing the Electric Ladder ( Central-Mid-levels Escalators )
 Hong Kong Island is a metropolitan precipice where people and concrete fight for space along steep hillsides from the harbour to The Peak. Due to geography, transportation on the island has taken a creative turn, the most striking example of which is the 800-metre Central - Mid-Levels escalators system, or the "electric ladder", as it is called in Cantonese.Completed in 1993, the escalators were the urban planning solution to traffic congestion. They are now the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world, connecting the residential Mid-Levels to Central business areas. But the escalators have done more than provide a means of pedestrian transport; they have created an urban corridor that has shaped the composition of Hong Kong Island. All along the escalators, trendy areas with galleries, restaurants, and shops have popped up due to a continuing movement towards rapid gentrification, but some traditional aspects of the city's culture remain. |
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Visitor's tip: |
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| The escalators run in only one direction at a time: downhill from 6am to 10am and uphill from 10.20am to midnight. The entire journey takes about 20 minutes. Steps run alongside the system, but unless you are dying for exercise, ride the escalators during the uphill hours. MTR: Central, exit D1, then a 5-minute walk. |
Elevated walkways link the IFC mall to Des Voeux Road Central. A good spot to watch the busy Hong Kong traffic.
The moving sidewalks begin their steady climb at Queen's Road Central.
Hollywood Road is famous for its string of
antique shops and fine art galleries.
The Gage Street wet market sells everything from live fish and fresh produce to cheap clothing. Let your nose lead the way.
Pressed up against the
escalator below Mosque Street stands the Jamia Mosque, erected in 1849. Peek through the intricate blue and green gate for a
glimpse of the incredible structure.
At the top, the sounds
of the city seem far away. You may even hear birds chirping, and rightfully so - you just vertically climbed 135 metres.
Experience old Hong Kong with the dai pai dongs, or 'cooked food stalls', that line Stanley Street. Today only about ten genuine dai pai dongs remain in Central, serving up typical street snacks like congee, rice, milk tea and noodles.
Elgin Street and Staunton
Street make up the centre of SoHo ("South of Hollywood Road"), a cosmopolitan district permeated with restaurants and
bars. Every type of cuisine under the stars in available, from Italian at Fat Angelo's (G/F, 49A-C Elgin Street; Tel: 2973 6808) to Thai
(Soho Spice, 47 Elgin Street; Tel: 2521 1600).
