Discover a hidden side of Hong Kong on this tour of Mong Kok. While the city is renowned as an international financial center, a starkly different reality lies hidden in the shadows. This guided tour of Mong Kok will provide an intimate look at the real estate crisis and the inequality affecting one of the world's wealthiest cities.
The Dark Side of Hong Kong: Mong Kok
At the designated time, we'll meet at Prince Edward Station to delve into the challenges of housing in Hong Kong. From here, we’ll explore why this city has one of the most expensive and least affordable real estate markets in the world. Did you know that a family of three can live in an apartment as small as just 10 square meters (107 sq ft)?
Throughout the tour, we'll go into Portland Street, where the contrast between traditional 4-story buildings and modern 30-story skyscrapers will show you the architectural evolution of the city. This is a palpable reflection of how urbanization has been transforming Hong Kong's neighborhoods.
Our next stop will be a subdivided housing unit on Cedar Street, where you'll gain first-hand experience of living in one of these tiny spaces. We'll learn how soaring prices and a lack of space compel many families to endure precarious living conditions, including the notorious cage houses, which are literally cages for humans.
We'll proceed to Lui Seng Chun, a historic building where we’ll savor herbal tea while hearing stories from locals who are grappling with the daily challenges of the real estate crisis. You'll be amazed by the personal accounts of those struggling to secure decent housing in one of the most unequal cities in the world.
Next, we'll continue our walking tour along Lai Chi Kok Road and Boundary Street, where we'll uncover more examples of subdivided housing that are often hidden in plain sight. As we explore the various types of these extreme dwellings, we'll discuss how gentrification is dramatically transforming the city’s most impoverished neighborhoods.
Finally, we'll arrive at Hai Tan Street, where we'll examine how land sales contribute to the low income tax in Hong Kong, all while social inequality continues to intensify.
Then, we'll conclude this 2-2.5 hour tour at Sham Shui Po Station, having gained insight into the harsh realities faced by thousands of residents in Hong Kong.
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