Kowloon walled city was home to 50,000 residents and was controversial since 1898, when it was the only part of hong kong, which the imperial chinese government refused to hand over to the british. The kowloon walled city panorama with english annotations. Designed and edited by greg girard and ian lambot the team behind city of darkness. Future living inspired by past extremes kowloon walled. There was never anything quite like the kowloon walled city, a wholly improbably squatter settlement that towered over the eastern half of hong kong the reallife prelude to so many cyberpunk fantasies. By 1990, the walled city contained 50,000 residents within. Old antique vtg 1930s advertising suitcase peninsula. It is bordered by the lei yue mun strait to the east, mei foo sun chuen and stonecutters island to the west, a mountain range, including tates cairn and lion rock to the north, and victoria harbour to the south. Slightly north of hong kong island there once stood one of the most densely populated places on earth. The life and death of an impossible city kickstarter. Kowloon walled city park a beautiful little park to visit in hong kong, with its pavillions, ponds and flowers. Its a fascinating story which was confined to the pages of history until recently when a games company in japan decided it would make the. Updated and expanded new volume, picking up where city of darkness.
An illustrated cross section of hong kongs infamous kowloon. Kowloon walled city, once the most crowded place on earth. There are also a variety of documentaries on youtube, including a german one which i cannot find in good quality. Densely populated, with a postapocalyptic atmosphere and chaotic organization, it reminds me of gunkanjima battleship island of course. Find art for sale at great prices from artists including paintings, photography, sculpture, and prints by top emerging artists like sven pfrommer. Long long time ago, in a kingdom far far away, a chinese emperor traveled to this new area and saw 8 mountains. Even though the slum that made the place famous was demolished and remodeled as an ancient chinese garden in the 1990s, every year thousands of tourists still came to the site for the monuments and exhibitions that talk about the gone city. The city was ceded to the british in 1860 as part of the crown colony of hong.
Kowloon walled city, once the most crowded place on. The settlement was a lawless place, where anything could happen. On a site measuring roughly 200 by 100 metres were squeezed some 350 buildings, rising 14 storeys or more and so tightly packed there was rarely space between them. Girard collaborated with ian lambot, another photographer, on a book about kowloon, titled city of darkness revisited, available here. City of darkness life in kowloon walled city photo book in japanese kowloon large illustrated 1997 isbn. In literature, robert ludlums novel the bourne supremacy uses the walled. Kowloon meaning and origin of the name kowloon wikiname. Feb 05, 2018 from the 1950s until 1994, over 33,000 people lived and worked in kowloon walled city, a massive complex of 300 interconnected buildings that took up a city block. Was really interesting to learn about its history, once being a self governed high rise shanty town houisng over 41,000 people, before its demolition in 1993. City of darkness life in kowloon walled city photo book in japanese japanese jp oversized 4. Kowloon also chiulung, a peninsula in southeast china, most of which is within. Kowloon walled city by japanese illustrator hrfm with. In 1980, the city had about 35,000 people on about 20,000 m. City of darkness revisited explores in greater detail than ever before the walled citys dramatic growth between 1945 and 1990, while at the same time looking into the darker sides of its past and exposing the truth behind many of the myths that gave the city its abiding sense of mystery.
The kowloon walled city in hong kong was once the most densely populated place on earth, a teeming hive of interlinking highrises that few dared to enter but 33,000 people called home. City of darkness life in kowloon walled city photo book in. Originally a military fort, the walled city saw its population rise dramatically during the second world war. A temple within the walled city, with grates above to protect. Kowloon definition of kowloon by the free dictionary. Chungking mansions, hong kong jun 30, 2011 by gordon mathews. May 08, 2018 its kowloon walled city, in hong kong. Home to 33,000 people, the notorious kowloon walled city was torn down by the colonial government in the 1990s. Sep 10, 20 blog kowloon walled city recreated in japan. Life in kowloon walled city city of darkness revisited. Courtesy of city of darkness revisited this unique society and its complete neglect by the rest of hong kong was born of the equally unique political conditions of the kowloon site. Home to 40,000 people at its height, kowloon walled city was by far the most densely populated place on earth. Kowloon walled city 1980 english documentary subtitles. There are few photos or videos of what life was like within its infamous walls, but you can view a brief history here and see some shots of the sprawling community before it was demolished though only a park remains on the site today, a new games arcade has recreated the.
Japanese researchers created an incredibly detailed illustrated crosssection of hong kongs notoriously overcrowded kowloon walled city shortly before the enclave was torn down in 1993. Jan 30, 2020 image of kowloon walled city, just in case youre wondering why in the world did their forefathers named the place kowloon, let us take a journey back some few hundred years ago. A film by christian cascio and marc boulet, quite a fascinating documentary, not many had the opportunity of entering the walled city and videotaping its insides, so its rare footage of a. The kowloon walled city park is designed as a jiangnan garden of the early qing dynasty.
Kowloon walled city park sits on the very site of the former kowloon walled city, remembered today as a haven of crime and debauchery. Gambling on the richter scale split 7 with batillus. Today kowloon walled city is gone, and in its place is a park with a plaque and metal model in remembrance of the place where 50,000 people lived and were forcibly removed. Without a single architect, the ungoverned and most densely populated district became a haven for drugs, crime and prostitution until it was demolished in 1993.
An accident of history created an enclave governed by neither china nor britain, and 50,000 people filled the gap, turning 2. But this is near tokyo and the walled city was demolished in 1993. See all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Life in kowloon walled city, published in 1993, left off. Her book on the history of the tung wah hospital will appear shortly. Japanese love hong kongs kowloon walled city south china. An incredibly detailed crosssection illustration of. It had its own laws, and many traffics took place there, it was the triads kingdom, and many refugees used to live inside. Kowloon walled city urban hong kong building japan illustration. The 10 best restaurants near kowloon walled city park in. Japanese forces occupied the kowloon peninsula and tore down the walls of the city to build a new runway for nearby kai tak airport.
The kowloon walled city was the original tiny walled city more like a walled garrison that was in the kowloon region before the lease. Jul 29, 2010 part 1 of a 1989 probably austrian maybe german documentary on hong kongs fabled kowloon walled city. Pictures 5 home to 33,000 people, the notorious kowloon walled city was torn down by the colonial government in the 1990s. With a population of 2,019,533 2 million and a population density. It was torn down in 1993, and a park called kowloon walled city park was built in 1994. Kowloon walled city simple english wikipedia, the free. Kowloon walled city park hong kong 2020 all you need. Kowloon has been an influence for quite a bit of distopian scifi.
The kowloon walled city had been a military stronghold since 15th century due to its coastal location and was a centre of vice and crime. Part 1 of a 1989 probably austrian maybe german documentary on hong kongs fabled kowloon walled city. But its for its incredible architecture that the place is the most interesting. Kowloon synonyms, kowloon pronunciation, kowloon translation, english dictionary definition of kowloon. Greg girard kowloon walled city was 119 times as dense as new york city. After 1810, the qing government moved the fort to the kowloon bay. By 1990, the walled city contained 50,000 residents. May 6, 2014 kowloon walled city by japanese illustrator hrfm. A city of southeastern china, on kowloon peninsula opposite hong kong island. In addition parts of the films long arm of the law 1984 and bloodsport 1988 were shot within the city but probably the most definitive depiction is to be found in the book city of darkness. In 1841, when hong kong island was ceded to britain, kowloon walled city was already a garrison and was reinforced by the. Sep 30, 2016 a film by christian cascio and marc boulet, quite a fascinating documentary, not many had the opportunity of entering the walled city and videotaping its insides, so its rare footage of a place. Click for art inspired by kowloon walled city or for rare shots of inside the walled city. Detailed crosssection of the kowloon walled city created.
Kowloon walled city english and japanese edition ryuji miyamoto, kenichi ohashi on. Demolished two decades ago, the virtually lawless labyrinth still lives on in movies, books and even a. Inside hong kongs lawless walled city the most crowded. The walled city was documented before it was torn down. And without a single architect or any oversight whatsoever, the ungoverned hive of interlinking buildings became a haven for drugs, crime and prostitution. The citys uniqueness has also made it a popular scene in. Saw yesterdays submission about that japanese arcade and remembered i had this. Kowloons gate was made by a team who had always stood outside the city, meaning the game emphasizes the exotic. There are few photos or videos of what life was like within its infamous walls, but you can view a brief history here and see some shots of the sprawling community before it. The kowloon walled city in hong kong is one of historys great anomalies. Sometimes directly like in the bridge trilogy by william gibson, other times in its dense urban aesthetic. Jul 11, 2017 kowloons gate is a very difficult game. Kowloon walled city english and japanese edition japanese hardcover january 1, 1998 by ryuji miyamoto author, kenichi ohashi contributor 4. The 10 best restaurants near kowloon walled city park in hong.
Oct 28, 2014 the kowloon walled city in hong kong was once the most densely populated place on earth. Kowloon walled city rebuilt in japan david 15th june 20 1st august 2015 comments 50 3 min read if you dont know anything about kowloon walled city. While it was demolished between 1993 and 1994, while it stood it was famous for unlicenced practice of medicine, prostitution and the rule of gangs. Rare shots from inside the old kowloon walled city. City of darkness revisited is a photo book and cultural history of kowloon walled city, a largely ungoverned, densely populated enclave within hong kong.
Kowloon walled city was an ungoverned, densely populated settlement in kowloon city, hong kong. The map can be viewed in full size in the book, large illustrated kowloon city, by kowloon city expedition, kazumi terasawa, and h. The site occupies a strategic point along the kowloon peninsula and has been used by chinese imperial officials since the 16 th century. Kowloon walled city hereafter kwc or walled city, hong kong has been. The wall of the kowloon walled city was originally used to set up a fort. See more ideas about walled city, kowloon walled city and city. Its population increased dramatically following the japanese occupation of hong kong during world war ii. Its not difficult in the sense that it presents challenges youre likely to fail, but in the sense that it closely guards its meaning behind a wall of symbols and nuance.
This book describes kowloon walled city which is a district in hong kong. Kowloons gate vr sources on kowloon walled city and chinese philosophyreligion. Nov 04, 2014 the kowloon walled city in hong kong was built graduallybuilding on top of buildingover time. Its population increased dramatically following the japanese occupation of.
Image of kowloon walled city, just in case youre wondering why in the world did their forefathers named the place kowloon, let us take a journey back some few hundred years ago. Goodbye to japans homage to hong kongs kowloon walled city. While the japanese book may be hard to get a hold of, city of darkness by lambot and girard is a fantastic resource. A book was published entitled city of darkness, life in kowloon walled city. Japanese love hong kong s kowloon walled city south. Originally a military fort, the walled city saw its population rise dramatically during the. The kowloon walled city was a singular hong kong phenomenon. Other kowloon walled city posts on the blog art inspired by kowloon walled city. Demolished two decades ago, the virtually lawless labyrinth still lives on in movies, books and even a japanese theme park.
Kawasaki warehouse kowloon walled city rebuilt in japan. An incredibly detailed crosssection illustration of kowloon. The japanese military occupied the city during the war, and following their evacuation, thousands of refugees and squatters fled into the city. The kowloon walled city in hong kong was built graduallybuilding on top of buildingover time. Check out this cutaway diagram, makes a 400 square foot studio feel like a mansion. Kowloon walled city park hong kong 2020 all you need to. Detailed crosssection of the kowloon walled city created by. The kowloon walled city is famous for having been one of the few structures that defied any sense of reality and survived outside the rule of law. The strange saga of kowloon walled city atlas obscura. Kowloon article about kowloon by the free dictionary.
Kowloon walled city was the densest place in the world, ever. Compared with the administrative kowloon city district, the kowloon city area is vaguely bounded south by prince edward road west and prince edward road east, north with lo fu ngam, east with kai tak nullah and west with kowloon tsai. Originally a chinese military fort, the walled city became an enclave after the new territories were leased to the uk by china in 1898. Life in kowloon walled city which is full of amazing photos and well worth a read if you can get your hands on it. The kowloon walled city in hong kong was once the most densely populated place on earth. Tokyo exhibition of photos from a 1992 book about the notorious highrise slum one of three published in japan before any appeared in.
Though demolished 20 years ago, fascination in kowloon walled city just continues to grow, fired in part by the many urban legends that forever swirl around this extraordinary community. Every available nook and cranny was inhabited, while the connecting alleys, stairways and corridors were reduced to an. Oct 30, 2014 japanese researchers created an incredibly detailed illustrated crosssection of hong kongs notoriously overcrowded kowloon walled city shortly before the enclave was torn down in 1993. Restaurants near kowloon walled city park, hong kong on tripadvisor. Its expensive, but if youre interested in urban culture and architecture its fascinating. City of darkness life in kowloon walled city photo book in japanese on. Heres what western accounts of the kowloon walled city. City of darkness life in kowloon walled city photo book. It became a hong kong island excluding kowloon and the new territories after the signing of the nanjing. This is a new comment and im not totally sure that this is the correct way to do this but oh well.
1102 1264 674 968 876 881 974 120 107 102 853 1129 267 636 1123 1050 410 1123 1174 1283 904 101 1012 1349 228 452 9 1071 694 911 67 225 23 755