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CENTRAL
Every Sunday, domestic helpers in Hong Kong have a day off and many gather in public areas to pass the day together, chatting, eating and dancing. On this set of stairs near Central Station, thousands of packages are prepared every Sunday to be sent home to the Philippines. They are loaded directly into trucks at the bottom of the stairs.
MID-LEVELS ESCALATOR
The Central to Mid-Levels Escalator is the world’s longest escalator and one of Hong Kong’s iconic sites. It took a big part in Wong Kar Wais „Chungking Express“. The escalator runs uphill for most of the day, but from 6am to 10am the escalator runs downhill to provide those at the top easier access Central and the MTR.
WATER STREET
This stairs on the upper portion of Water Street serve as an entrance to several food stalls and restaurants. Students from the surrounding secondary schools, such St. Paul’s College and St. Stephen’s Church School, rush down the stairs to be the first ones to get lunch.
POUND LANE
Early in the morning, between 7.30 and 8 o’clock, school kids rush to the Catholic Mission school on Pound Lane. They are greeted by the class monitors with ‘Zho san!’ and reminded not to hurry or to run. At the terrace in front of the school in between two sets of stairs, the school’s principal and several teachers welcome them before they enter the school building.
LAN KWAI FONG
Late at night on the weekends, and on many weeknights, the party scene around Lan Kwai Fong, or LKF, explodes. Lined with bars, restaurants and clubs, the stairs next to the Hard Rock Cafe connect the raging outdoor party along D’Aguilar Street to the often equally raging Wyndham Street. The stairs are also used as a backdrop for selfies, as a meeting place or as an improvised bar.
POTTINGER STREET
Pottinger Street and its collection of market stalls is a buzzing place in Central. Between the usual crowds of tourists roaming the area and business people heading for lunch, Pottinger Street is also often used for wedding shoots and movie productions. At night, the upper portion is filled with people spilling out from adjacent bars and restaurants.
VICTORIA PEAK
Victoria Peak is one of the most visited places in all of Hong Kong. Thousands of tourists use these little stairs to access an amazing view of the city. Everyone tries to find the perfect spot for a selfie.
CAUSEWAY BAY
On Sundays, public spaces around Causeway Bay are commonly occupied by Indonesian domestic helpers. On this rainy and stormy Sunday, covered areas, including stairs, are the preferred hideout. Even though it is wet and windy, they use the stairs to relax after a week of hard work.