Kowloon Walled City

According to Wikipedia...

"Kowloon Walled City was a densely populated, largely ungoverned settlement in Kowloon Hong Kong. Originally a Chinese military fort, the Walled City became an enclave after the New Territories were leased to Britain in 1898. Its population increased dramatically following the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. From the 1950s to the 1970s, it was controlled by Triads and had high rates of prostitution, gambling, and drug use. In 1987, the Walled City contained 33,000 residents within its 6.5-acreborders.

In January 1987, the Hong Kong government announced plans to demolish the Walled City. After an arduous eviction process, demolition began in March 1993 and was completed in April 1994. Kowloon Walled City Park opened in December 1995 and occupies the area of the former Walled City. Some historical artifacts from the Walled City, including its yamen building and remnants of its South Gate, have been preserved there."

I thought that Wikipedia could give a more concise, historical description than I could. The park was unbelievably gorgeous, even on an overcast, rainy day.

The graveyards in HK are really impressive - like the rest of the city, they are so densely packed. Apparently, build-able land is so sparse, cemeteries are becoming overcrowded and can only be built on hills.

Street along my walk from the MTR

Buildings! I love the buildings in this city

Walkway in the Walled City

Entrance (which I later found out is a side exit) to the Walled City

Old and new

The whole park has beautiful, winding covered walkways

Such good light quality

Another awesome window - there were so many different designs

Detail of the covered walkways.

One of the main pavilions along the walkway.

Panorama of the lake and pavilion

So gorgeous!

This sign says something along the lines of "do not enter"...

Apparently this man felt that this did not apply to him and decided to go down this path anyway. What a rebel

Pretty flowers

More pretty flowers

Obviously the plants here were amazing

Cute little footbridge

Everything in the park was amazing...the plants, the walkways, the paths, the people

Bamboo fencing

Central pavilion

(I have no idea what any of the areas or buildings are actually called)

These boys were practicing Kung Fu in the Central Pavilion.

I felt like I was watching the karate kid (or something) in real life.

No, it's not creepy that I took a photo...these kids were too old for me to steal.

This park was so scenic

More cool plants

More awesome-ness

What a juxtaposition...pretty old buildings vs. ugly new buildings

Walkway to the Pavilion in the sculpture garden

Sculpture Garden Pavilion

Back of the Sculpture Park Pavilion

More walkway...

...the leads into another pavilion

Banyan trees! I love these trees and they are all over SEA

One of the only original remaining structures from the Kowloon Walled City.

A model of what existed in this area before the park.

Insanity.

A section through the Kowloon Walled City neighborhood.

Extra crazy insanity. I wish I had a detail of this drawing...

SHK would love it

Walkway...with lanterns!

Waterfall Pavilion

None of the walkways were direct paths.

Everything was about procession and sequencing.

Chinese lantern

I loved the circular doorways

Huge banana trees...yum

Another pavilion (I'm out of names)

One last look

City view on my walk home to Joanne's...amazing