A glimpse inside Hong Kong’s iconic Choi Hung Estate amidst redevelopment talks
By: James Ezekiel Kalaw MODESTOEdited by: Ho Yi CHEUNG
2023-12-12
Choi Hung Estate, one of Hong Kong's iconic urban photography spots, is set to undergo phased redevelopment, according to local media.
With its construction dating back to the early 60s, Choi Hung Estate stands as one of Hong Kong's largest and earliest public housing estates, situated in the Wong Tai Sin District. The housing complex spans over 5.1 hectares and consists of 11 blocks comprising 7,400 flats that provide homes for more than 17,000 residents.
In the past, Choi Hung Estate was visited by members of the Royal Family, including Princess Margaret in 1966 and foreign dignitaries, such as US’s Richard Nixon in 1964 before his assumption as the nation’s leader in 1969.
The estate, managed by the city's Housing Authority, attracts both locals and tourists due to its rainbow-coloured buildings. Most notably, the basketball courts within the estate serve as popular backdrops for photos, with their vibrant walls complementing the snapshots taken there.
Beyond its colourful exterior walls and “social media-worthy” appeal, Choi Hung Estate buzzes with everyday scenes of people engaged in their daily routines, as well as the vibrant presence of shops and other amenities, mirroring the essence of any residential community.
Choi Hung Estate’s main entrance, along Prince Edward Road East, is built atop Kam Pik House.Faded with time, the outer walls of Tan Fung House are one of the most photographed by people visiting Choi Hung Estate, serving as a backdrop for their pictures.Built upon a carpark, the rooftop is where many people stage their pictures. The rooftop consists of two basketball courts and a racket court.A pair of tourists from South Korea taking turns photographing each other in front of Kam Wah House.Tony Fung, 63, an American resident who was born in Hong Kong, visits Choi Hung on 30 Nov to realise his itinerary to visit old estates. “I grew up in a public housing estate in Pok Fu Lam. It brings me a lot of memories going to these places having experienced living in one myself,” said Fung.Huang Weiming (far left), a Taiwanese, who visited Hong Kong with his family and two friends on 6 Dec. It was their first time visiting the estate after surfing the internet and coming across Choi Hung Estate as a popular tourist spot for picture-taking.A group of friends playing basketball as one shoots for the hoop, with his peers watching the ball fly. The courts are often filled with students during the afterhours of school, and at times, a chosen venue to conduct physical education lessons and training.Secondary students from the school's track and field team of Choi Hung Estate Catholic Secondary School, engaging in a race around the rooftop. The rooftop is an open space where they frequently conduct after-school training.The cool breeze and open-top venue makes for a place where residents can hang their laundry as an elderly woman watches over her drying laundry hanging over a makeshift clothesline.A pile of cardboard boxes and styrofoam containers collected by two women outside of a Wellcome Supermarket in the estate.Two elderly men battle in a game of Chinese chess near the estate’s main entrance as a crowd gathers on the opposite table.Students from the Choi Hung Estate Catholic Secondary School returning to campus grounds from the rooftop. The public housing estate has five educational institutes within.Located at Kam Wah House, this bustling convenience store is a go-to spot for students looking to grab a quick bite and drink.An assortment of goodies sold at the convenience store.The aftermath of a busy lunch hour as an estate trashcan overfills with discarded cans, containers and wrappers outside the shop.A watch and optical shop at Kam Pik House, its signage fading with time.A feline employee at the optical shop glances outside the store. Cats are believed to bring good luck and fortune to establishments in traditional Chinese culture.A line of stalls selling vegetables and other goods near Kam Pik House.Choi Hung Estate has 11 blocks with over 17,000 residents. As the number of people covered is relatively large, it has also become a difficulty for the Government in the redevelopment of Choi Hung Estate.
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