I went back to Hong Kong less than two years ago with a friend who was born there. Yes, Tsim Tsa Tsui has been changed too much, all the lovely jewellery shops have been replaced with "Ratner" type stores with body guards on the doors. The Mid-Levels escalator takes you up ladder streets which used to ooze character and fascination, but now have the same coffee shops and wine bars you see every where. Everything in that region has been Americanised and Stanley Village is unrecogniseable, but get off the main part of Tsim Tsa Tsui into the back streets and you still see locals working in wierd little "hole in the wall" shops making things. Hong Kong has still got that magic that tears at the heart when you have to leave. We who have been there are very lucky.
Guest
27-Jan-2011 00:55
Thank you, I never got to see this building in the flesh seeing this picture gives some context to the clock tower. The government of Hong Kong really does like to shoot itself in the foot, they seem to want to destroy just about everything that makes HK unique, but I guess thats a sin the mainland is guilty of too, bulldoze everyhting a replace it with concrete and glass.
I always remember this beautiful historical site, one of most........ important landmarks of HK, across from the Peninsula Hotel. Unfortunately, back then I was too young to appreciate that. HK is becoming unrecognizable, every visit is a shock with the constant changes. The people of HK need to be educated on the importance of heritage preservation, not just making money!!!
Guest
25-Jul-2010 11:47
I remember Hong Kong like this. I lived there 2.5 years in the early 80s. It was the most amazing place and what a pity they have destroyed the colonial history which gave it its character. It had the best and the worst of East and West all combined and it was this that made it such a wonderful, vibrant and interesting place. I love this site.
manyuen
28-Mar-2010 16:21
it is replaced by the cultural center...
Jeff Shultz
08-Feb-2010 22:51
That lovely old building. GONE now. Replaced by that upside down, contorted clam looking thing.
Vile
17-May-2009 13:08
Hong Kong had some of the most amazing colonial architecture anywhere - what a shame almost all of it was demolished ...