Hong Kong, old and Hong Kong, old and newnew

Hong Kong's skyline is one of the most Hong Kong's skyline is one of the most famous in the world. famous in the world.

As Hong Kong nears the 10th anniversary As Hong Kong nears the 10th anniversary of its handover to China, there is of its handover to China, there is controversy about the value it places controversy about the value it places on the older buildings and spaces on the older buildings and spaces behind the glittering skyscrapers.behind the glittering skyscrapers.

Hong Kong's Star Ferry pier was the site Hong Kong's Star Ferry pier was the site of violent demonstrations in 2006 when of violent demonstrations in 2006 when it was demolished to make way for land it was demolished to make way for land reclamation the government said was reclamation the government said was needed for a six-lane highway. needed for a six-lane highway.

Campaigners said the pier was an icon in Campaigners said the pier was an icon in Hong Kong's collective memory.Hong Kong's collective memory.

Some older structures have been Some older structures have been protected. The old Central Police protected. The old Central Police Station and prison compound is a Station and prison compound is a declared monument, its oldest building declared monument, its oldest building dating to 1864. dating to 1864.

It is one of the few remaining symbols of It is one of the few remaining symbols of colonial authority left in Hong Kong.colonial authority left in Hong Kong.

Intensive development on hilly Hong Intensive development on hilly Hong Kong island has led to some Kong island has led to some imaginative structures: the mid-level imaginative structures: the mid-level district has the world's longest outdoor district has the world's longest outdoor covered escalator which transports covered escalator which transports workers and residents downhill in the workers and residents downhill in the first half of the day, and uphill in the first half of the day, and uphill in the evening.evening.

Many argue that Hong Kong's skyline is Many argue that Hong Kong's skyline is impressive precisely because of impressive precisely because of daring, modern structures such as the daring, modern structures such as the Bank of China Tower, possibly its most Bank of China Tower, possibly its most famous building.famous building.

Some say the building's sharp angles Some say the building's sharp angles direct negative feng shui energy into direct negative feng shui energy into the heart of Hong Kong.the heart of Hong Kong.

The city is famous for its outdoor markets, The city is famous for its outdoor markets, but many are earmarked for but many are earmarked for development. development.

Conservationists say such spaces should Conservationists say such spaces should be considered as important for the city's be considered as important for the city's heritage as colonial buildings. heritage as colonial buildings.

But some residents also want the chance But some residents also want the chance to sell their property.to sell their property.

Central market is one of Hong Kong's Central market is one of Hong Kong's oldest outdoor wet markets - upended oldest outdoor wet markets - upended umbrellas are its creative answer to umbrellas are its creative answer to the heat of the sun. the heat of the sun.

Its future is uncertain as plans to Its future is uncertain as plans to redevelop the area are under redevelop the area are under consideration.consideration.

Built in 1919 and simply known as "The Built in 1919 and simply known as "The Blue House" on Stone Nullah Lane, this Blue House" on Stone Nullah Lane, this building is listed and home to public building is listed and home to public housing tenants. housing tenants.

A small museum inside contains A small museum inside contains traditional items bequeathed by traditional items bequeathed by residents of nearby homes which have residents of nearby homes which have been demolished.been demolished.

Traditional temples can be found Traditional temples can be found nestling among the busy streets. nestling among the busy streets.

The Man Mo temple in Sheung Wan is The Man Mo temple in Sheung Wan is dedicated to Man, the god of dedicated to Man, the god of literature, and Mo, the god of war. literature, and Mo, the god of war.

It still attracts worshippers who want to It still attracts worshippers who want to pray for good exam results. pray for good exam results.

Connections and Connections and considerationsconsiderations