Hong Kong 2.0

[TowerDude 2,186]

Official Name: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Geography

Area: 1,104.3 sq. km.; Hong Kong comprises Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and numerous small islands.

Terrain: Hilly to mountainous, with steep slopes and a natural harbor.

Climate: Tropical monsoon. Cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy in spring and summer, warm and sunny in fall.

People

Population (July 2010 est.): 7.089 million.

Population growth rate (2010 est.): 0.476%.

Ethnic groups: Chinese 95%; other 5%.

Religions: About 43% participate in some form of religious practice.

Languages: Cantonese (a dialect of Chinese) and English are official.

Literacy: 97.1% (98.7% male, 95.4% female).

Health (2009): Infant mortality rate--1.6/1,000. Life expectancy--83 yrs. (overall); 79.8 yrs. male, 86.1 yrs. female

Work force (2009): 3.68 million.

Work force (by occupation, 2008): Wholesale, retail, and import/export trades and restaurants and hotels--33.5%; finance, insurance, real estate, and business services--16.6%; manufacturing--4.6%.

Government

Type: Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China, with its own constitution-like charter (the Basic Law).

Branches: Executive--Administration: Chief Executive selected in March 2007; Executive Council serves in an advisory role for the Chief Executive. Legislative--Legislative Council (LegCo) elected in September 2008. Judicial--Court of Final Appeal is the highest court; there are other lower courts.

Subdivisions: Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories.

Suffrage: Permanent residents 18 years or over who have lived in Hong Kong for the past seven years are eligible to vote in certain local elections and for LegCo members.

Economy

GDP (2009): $209.3 billion (at current market prices).

GDP real growth rate (2009): negative 2.8%.

Per capita GDP (2009): $29,879 (at current market prices).

Natural resources: Deepwater harbor.

Industry: Types--textiles, clothing, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks.

Trade (2009): Exports--$316.5 billion: clothing, electronics, textiles, watches and clocks, office machinery, electrical machinery, telecommunications equipment. Major partners--Mainland China 51.1%, U.S. 11.6%, EU 7.1%, Japan 4.4%. Imports--$345.1 billion: consumer goods, raw materials and semi-manufactures, capital goods, foodstuffs, fuels. Major partners--Mainland China 46.4%, Japan 8.8%, Singapore 6.5%, Taiwan 6.5%, U.S. 5.3%.

PEOPLE

Hong Kong's population has increased steadily over the past decade, reaching 7.026 million in 2009. Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with an overall density of some 6,339 people per square kilometer. Cantonese, the official Chinese dialect in Hong Kong, is spoken by most of the population. English, also an official language, is widely understood and is spoken by more than one-third of the population. Every major religion is practiced freely in Hong Kong. All children are required by law to be in full-time education between the ages of 6 and 15. Starting in 2008, the Hong Kong Government expanded the length of free education it offers from 9 to 12 years. Preschool education for most children begins at age 3. Primary school begins normally at age 6 and lasts for 6 years. At about age 12, children progress to a 3-year course of junior secondary education; at age 15, they can choose to continue with 3-year senior secondary education or to join full-time vocational training. More than 90% of children complete upper secondary education or equivalent vocational education. In 2009, 296,000 students were enrolled in post-secondary education. Over 25% of the total population aged 15 and over have attended post-secondary educational institutions.

<a name="history">HISTORY

According to archaeological studies, human activity on Hong Kong dates back over five millennia. Excavated neolithic artifacts suggest an influence from northern Chinese stone-age cultures. The territory was settled by Han Chinese during the seventh century, A.D., evidenced by the discovery of an ancient tomb at Lei Cheung Uk in Kowloon. The first major migration from northern China to Hong Kong occurred during the Sung Dynasty (960-1279). The British East India Company made the first successful sea venture to China in 1699, and Hong Kong's trade with British merchants developed rapidly soon after. After the Chinese defeat in the First Opium War (1839-42), Hong Kong was ceded to Britain in 1842 under the Treaty of Nanking. Britain was granted a perpetual lease on the Kowloon Peninsula under the 1860 Convention of Beijing, which formally ended hostilities in the Second Opium War (1856-58). The United Kingdom, concerned that Hong Kong could not be defended unless surrounding areas also were under British control, executed a 99-year lease of the New Territories in 1898, significantly expanding the size of the Hong Kong colony.

Hong Kong early 1900

In the late 19th century and early 20th centuries, Hong Kong developed as a warehousing and distribution center for U.K. trade with southern China. After the end of World War II and the communist takeover of Mainland China in 1949, hundreds of thousands of people fled from China to Hong Kong. Hong Kong became an economic success and a manufacturing, commercial, finance, and tourism center. High life expectancy, literacy, per capita income, and other socioeconomic measures attest to Hong Kong's achievements over the last five decades.

1950

1960

1970

1980

Today

On July 1, 1997, China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, ending more than 150 years of British colonial rule. Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China with a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs. According to the Sino-British Joint Declaration (1984) and the Basic Law, Hong Kong will retain its political, economic, and judicial systems and unique way of life for 50 years after reversion and will continue to participate in international agreements and organizations under the name, "Hong Kong, China."

[panthersimcity4 162]

Wow, great start! I love those old pictures of Hong Kong. Amazing how much it has changed in 50 years!

[antsel 841]

I'm glad you've decided to bring Hong Kong to the forums. I often forget about the CJ section.

[AdoxxBE 289]

Great start, i'll be waiting for more

[gc6164 36]

Hong Kong is amazing how much it has changed

[TowerDude 2,186]

Panthersimcity4 : I know, but every city is like that

Selles : Ah well! at least now you can see it

Adoxx : Yep!! here it is!

Gc6164 : Yeah a lot, it is mainly due to mainland immigrants while the communist period

Union square is Hong kong's newest additions, it was built with land reclamation

Hope you liked it

[AdoxxBE 289]

Wow looks very nice. I like those skyscrapers! Very good update.

[Benedict 3,119]

The AIG building looks incredible in the night view - the colors are just stunning.

[nathanthemayor 1,261]

Very cool recreation CJ

[ringo99 2]

Excellent start, I liked!

[TowerDude 2,186]

Adoox: Thanks

Benedict : Thank you

Nathanthemayor : thanks a lot

Ringo99 : tat's nice

I actually started this thread but never updated, so I'll be updating it from now on, be ready for catchups and more!

If malls had star ratings, Hong Kong Pacific Place shopping mall would be a five star. This is one of . Hong Kong's top five shopping malls The Hong Kong Pacific Place mall is a dazzling selection of upmarket, international boutiques from Armani to Versace and just about everything in between. This is not the place for a bargain, nor is it the place to haggle, but if you’re looking for something fresh from the fashion shows of Paris and London this is the place to come. You’ll also find top notch hangbag and jewellery shops, although these also tend to be international rather than Chinese or Asian.

A MOSAIC!

The all also has some equally impressive, and expensive, restaurants, including the excellent Zen, ideal for Dim Sum, and Thai Basil. The mall is also home to Hong Kong’s only Dan Ryan’s outlet, often packed with businessmen pouring over the Wall Street Journal or US expats holding reunions. You’ll also find a pair of five star hotels, the Island Shangri-La and JW Mariott and a cinema.

Hong Kong Pacific Place List of Main Stores

Flagship Stores

Hong Kong Seibu, Lane Crawford

Fashion

Agnes b., Armani, Burberry, Dior, Dolce and Gabbana, Emporio Armani, French Connection, Gucci, Hermes, Hugo Boss, Jean Paul Gaultier, Louis Vutton, Prada, Shanghai Tang, Ted Baker, Versace, Vivienne Tam

Shoes and Bags

Church’s, Coach, Fendi Sergio Rossi

Jewlery

Bvlgari, Cartier, Montblanc, Piaget, Tiffany and Co

Electronics

Bang and Olufsen, Hong Kong Records

Where to Eat

Dan Ryan’s Chicago Grill (American), Grappa’s (Italian), Metropolitan Café (Sandwiches), Zen Chinese Cuisine (Cantonese/Dim Sum), Triple O’s (Fast Food/Hamburgers), Thai Basil (Thai)

See you at the Lippo Center soon

[kakado_to_save 514]

This is so realistic!

I thought it was real HK

[TowerDude 2,186]

Kakado_to_save : Hehe , thanks

Thanks to its distinctive facade, Hong Kong's Lippo Centre is one of the city's most iconic landmarks. The complex comprises two similar looking towers designed by Paul Marvin Rudolph in association with Wong & Ouyang Ltd.

Lippo Centre Rudolph is best known for his brutalist architecture, but here he designed a totally different complex in a postmodern design completely clad with reflective glass. The most distinctive part of the design are the cantilevered projections that house the so-called sky-rooms.

The two towers are similar to each other in design by they do have a different height: the tallest one, known as Lippo Centre 2, reaches a height of 186 meter (610ft) while the other tower, Lippo Centre 1, tops off at 172 meter (564 ft). The two towers are set on a four-storey podium which is home to a large atrium and a retail area.

Elevated Walkways

The architect originally intended to connect the two towers by a series of elevated walkways, but one of the original owners of the project objected as this reminded him of his former factories in Indonesia,

Detail of the facadewhere buildings were connected by bridges. But, this being Hong Kong, it is no surprise that walkways now connect the base of the complex to surrounding buildings and a nearby MTR station. The Lippo Centre is otherwise difficult to access on foot due to its location on a narrow plot hemmed in by busy roads. The complex has nonetheless a prime location in the Central district, with excellent views of the nearby Hong Kong Park.

Koala Building

The articulate projections that seem to cling to the tower's sides led to the nickname Koala Building. Coincidentally the building was once owned by an Australian businessman, Alan Bond, who acquired the building in 1987, while it was still under construction. The building was originally commissioned in 1984 by a local company, the Admiralty Development Ltd. Construction of the building started in 1986 and it opened in 1988 as the Bond Centre. Alan Bond's business empire soon started to crumble and he sold the building that same year, after which it was renamed Lippo Centre.

[sumwonyuno 42]

Spectacular recreation!

[TowerDude 2,186]

Sumwonyuno : Thaks a Lot !

Welcome to Hong Kong!, it is a rainy day today

Sometimes it only takes a few touches to stand out from the crowd. The designers of AIG Tower know this, and apparently put the notion to work in their creation. In form, this is the classic glass box -- but modified. Tapered at the top and bottom on three sides, it is intended to evoke the shape of the sails of the traditional Chinese junks that once plowed through the swells of Victoria Harbor. Detractors, however, compare the overall shape to an early 80's mobile telephone; but criticism of its shape is uncommon, especially at night when special illumination turns the building from the form of a Chinese junk to that of a Chinese lantern. This is accomplished by lights that are actually inside the glass curtain wall, causing the building to glow from within.

Most detractors instead zero in on the giant offset video screens at the top of the building. These displays fill part of the space at the top of the building where the mechanical elements are, and help hide the unsightly bits. The animated logo displayed is that of the building's namesake. Instead of finding this an innovative method of branding, some consider it a crass commercial blaring across the skyline. Somehow they conveniently forget the hundreds of other illuminated signs fringing the top of scores of other Hong Kong buildings, and zero in on this one. But the sign has at least two interesting features. 1: It can be easily changed if the building's name changes; and 2: the animation is little more than a screen saver running on Microsoft Windows, and those with keen eyes have spotted people occasionally using the computer to check their e-mail, unknowingly telegraphing their personal lives to the entire city.

Still, in spite of its quirks, this building works unusually well. Its posture makes it seem much taller than its 40 stories, and its location should keep it visibly prominent in the skyline for some time to come.

• This building was designed by John Ostlund.
• This building was a joint venture between AIG, CapitaLand, and Lai Sun Development.
• This building is on the location where AIG opened its first office in Hong Kong in 1930.
• The video screens at the top of the building reportedly contain 4,400,000,000,000 LEDs, but this has not been officially confirmed, and seems like a lot.
• This building had an average construction speed of four days per floor.
• While some web site incorrectly list this building as 39 or even 40-stories, it actually only has 36.
• December, 2001 - Demolition of the Furama Hotel begins.
• November, 2002 - Construction of the AIG Tower begins.
• December 9, 2004 - Topping out of the AIG Tower.
• May, 2005 - Building construction is completed.
• October 6, 2005 - The AIG Tower opening ceremony.

[crazychickensc12 84]

Wow Towerdude some truly beautiful work!! The pictures are all such high quality and gorgeous! HK is one amazing city and I cannot wait to see some more of your SC4 work! Keep up the great work!

[StreetxROBLOX 22]

Amazing. All i can say.

Great work!

[TowerDude 2,186]

crazychickensc12 : Thanks a lot, more will be coming

StreetxROBLOX : Thanks for the kind comment

AN OVERVIEW

Typhoon Kanjia is approaching Hong Kong and wind can be felt all over the city, violent waves have hit Victoria Harbour this morning.

See you soon at the whampoa gardens

[supremec 77]

Very, very Beautiful. I love it and I love the buildings, a nice reproduction

[crazychickensc12 84]

Another gorgeous update really like that last mosaic. Great photo editing as well! Great work!

[PontiacFiero84 109]

Wow nice work , very realistic. Is Hong Kong the only place on China that drive on the left on the road?

[TowerDude 2,186]

Supremec : thanks a lot

crazychikensc12 : thanks a lot for visiting and the complinent

PontiacFiero84 : mmmh no

Hung Hom Peninsula

Welcome to Hong Kong for a new day! today we shall visit the Hung Hom peninsula,!

The residential building complex of Hunghom Peninsula was built under the Hong Kong government's Private Sector Participation Scheme (PSPS) program that was intended to provide housing for middle-class residents at a discounted price. Due to an economic downturn and a shrinking real estate market threatening property values, Hunghom was later sold to the private property developers who originally built the complex. The developers,

New World Development Company Limited (NWD) and Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (SHKP) came up with a reconstruction proposal for Hunghom Peninsula: demolish and redevelop the area into a luxurious private estate.However, the intention to demolish the never-occupied Hunghom Peninsula came under heavy criticism from

the public in large part because the demolition process would produce extensive pollution to the environment, which violated both social parties and the companies' corporate mission of being responsible to the society. Under these circumstances, the management team had to withdraw the demolition plan and

reconsider their decision. After the developers thought twice about all the relevant parties' interests and took corporate social responsibility into account, they gave up the demolition plan and decided to conduct an extensive internal reconfiguration and renovation to upgrade the property to medium-grade private housing estate standard.Case (A) describes the backgrounds of Hunghom

Peninsular Project and its developers, describes Hong Kong's business environment and introduces the three options faced by decision makers. Case (B) reveals NWD and SHKP's choice of the options and the opposition voices against

their initial choice. In Case © developers give in to pressure from protestors and change their initial decision, in favor of a more environmental option. Case © brings the story to a close.

That's it for today, see you tommorow at Whampoa Garden

[NMUSpidey 3,956]

TowerDude, you are a busy dude, aren't you? And you do such a great job across a wide range of landscapes! Very nice shots of Hong Kong! That's a nice apartment floor plan, too...

[TowerDude 2,186]

NMUSpidey : thanks a lot for the comment

Today in HK

Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest

http://www.chiff.com/a/travel-nyc-hot-dog-contest.htm

Whampoa Gardens

Whampoa Garden provides a new perception to "City Living" with a low density of residential blocks. The self-contained and well-managed environment offers most of the opportunities for recreation, relaxation that residents would ask for.

Not only is there a remarkable amount of open space, Whampoa Garden is also equipped with a shopping centre, Wonderful Worlds of Whampoa, which is designed to enhance the quality of living.

Located in the centre of Kowloon, Whampoa Garden has been developed into 12 separate phases comprising 10 residential / commercial mixed complexes and 2 solely commercial complexes. The size of the 10,431 flats in 88 residential towers is ranging from 350 sq. ft. to 1,110 sq. ft. which are designed to allow the residents to create their own ideal home.

Situated in the heart of Kowloon, Whampoa Garden is easily accessible to the rest of Kowloon, Hong Kong Island and the New Territories.

A permanent bus and mini bus terminus is located in Whampoa Garden. Numerous bus routes to Tsimshatsui, Hong Kong Island, north of the New Territories and the rest of Kowloon provide services to both residents and visitors. Moreover, the ferry pier nearby also provides ferry services to Wanchai, Central and North Point.

The Kowloon Terminal of the East Kowloon Canton Railway and the Cross-Harbour Tunnel are nearby. The newly opened Hunghom Bypass and Princess Margaret Link definitely improve the accessibility of Whampoa Garden.

* 2,519 car parking spaces for both residents and public

* 6 basketball courts, 12 badminton courts, 2 volleyball courts and 12 children playgrounds are located in the open area within Whampoa Garden

* The shopping complex, Wonderful Worlds of Whampoa, with approximately 1.4 million sq. ft., comprises department stores, Chinese restaurants, supermarkets, banks and many other retail outlets

* A comprehensive sports and recreation club provides facilities like tennis courts, indoor swimming pool, squash courts, gymnasium etc.

* The estimated population in the estate is approximately 50,000. The open space is approximately 620,000 sq. ft. which is evenly distributed within the estate

* 3 primary schools, 8 kindergartens and 4 youth and elderly centres provide comprehensive education and recreational services for the residents

* A public swimming pool and sports complex is located nearby

* Free external and internal shuttle services commuting from Wonderful Worlds of Whampoa to Ho Man Tin and Chun Sin Mei, bringing much convenience to residents and patrons

* A 24-hour security policy and sophisticated security system provide residents with maximum peace of mind

[TowerDude 2,186]

Bank of China

Bank of China (BOC) Tower is located at No.1, Garden Road, a flourishing centre of activity in Hong Kong's business and financial core. The building was constructed over a period of four years and four months commencing in April 1985. Completed for occupancy in August 1989, the building was opened in May 1990,

towering 70 floors above the ground floor level and offering parking in four basement levels. The tower structure of 315 metres and two masts of 50 odd metres give the building its aspiring height of 367.4 metres – which, in 1989, made it the tallest in Hong Kong as well as the fifth by height in the world. It is still one of the tallest office buildings in Hong Kong.

The BOC Tower is a masterpiece of the world-renowned Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei. His inspiration for the building's construction was the elegant stature of bamboo, its sectioned trunk reaching higher and higher with each new growth. The Tower is symbolic of strength, vitality, growth and enterprise, representing Bank of China (Hong Kong)'s rapid development. The building is characterised by a harmonious blend of modern architecture with traditional Chinese design.

Its four prism-shaped shafts reflect the sun's rays like a glittering crystal. A geometrical work of art clad in a curtain wall of glass and aluminum, BOC Tower rises majestically from its Central location to command a spectacular panoramic view of the Victoria Harbour.

The BOC Tower has won many construction awards locally and globally. To name just a few, we have 2002 "Excellent" Award of Hong Kong Building Environmental Assessment Method; 1999 Ten Best Architecture in Hong Kong, HKIA; 1992 Marble Architectural Award; 1991 AIA Reynolds Memorial Award; 1989 Award for Engineering Excellence, ACEC; 1989 Certificate of Engineering Excellence, NYACE, etc. Its architect, Mr. Pei, also received the Smithsonian Institute's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award for Lifetime Achievement on 10 October 2003, an honour bestowed upon him by the United States Government.

[TowerDude 2,186]

Sham Shui Po

The Sham Shui Po District covers an area of about 1047 hectares, with a population of about 350 000. As it was one of the earliest developed districts in Hong Kong, it was once a commercial, industrial and transportation hub of the territory. Nowadays Sham Shui Po District is covered mainly by residential buildings and public housing estates. Factories and warehouses are still being concentrated mainly in Cheung Sha Wan.

Sham Shui Po District is one of 18 districts of Hong Kong. It includes Sham Shui Po, Cheung Sha Wan and Lai Chi Kok.

Nowadays Sham Shui Po is one of Kowloon's commercial hubs. Old commercial buildings in the area are very popular with the garment trade, and there are plenty of wholesale and retail shops. Cheung Sha Wan Road, where many of the garment manufacturers sell directly to the public, is nicknamed "Fashion Street". The low prices attract many bargain hunters.

Self-built settlements on the roofs of high-rise buildings have been an integral part of Hong Kong's history for over half a century. Rooftop structures range from basic shelters for the disadvantaged to intricate multi-storey constructions equipped with the amenities of modern life.

Hope you enjoyed it ! Cya !

[supremec 77]

Awesome city! The night views are fabulous, the region view is impressive, and others pictures are superb

[De Ja Vu 117]

Lol, there sure are a lot of towers there! Those narrow streets full of people really bring the area to life!

Keep up the good job!

[crazychickensc12 84]

Way to long since I had been in here last! Simply fabulous updates the plethora of BAT's is amazing! All the pictures look stunning and I love the real life photos as well. Great updates keep it up can't wait to see some more impressive work!

[TowerDude 2,186]

REPLIES

Supremec : thanks a lot for commenting, always nice to see people like Cj's

DeJaVu : Thanks a lot, I will keep it up

crazychickensc12 : thanks for the comment, I'll admit I spent time dl everything , here is some more

Tseung Kwan O

The bay is near the eastern mouth of Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour.

Before the development of the new town, the area around the bay was occupied by a number of fishing towns and villages. The Tseung Kwan O Village in the northern tip of the bay is about 600 years old. Other towns and villages include Rennie's Mill, Hang Hau and Yau Yu Wan. Rennie's Mill was where Kuomintang loyalists were settled following the end of the Chinese civil war, and Hang Hau had a ship building industry.

The Hong Kong Government had been interested in developing a new town at Hang Hau because of its proximity to the urban area. The project was postponed for a long time owing to the extensive scale of reclamation in the bay, which is rather deep. It finally started under the name of Tseung Kwan O.