Hong Kong Rooftops: You Are Being Watched
Last month, I paid a visit to Hong Kong Reader, a great independent bookstore on the seventh floor of a building in Mongkok. Before I entered the shop, though, I gazed up the stairwell and wondered whether there was an interesting view from the roof. I climbed an extra few floors and emerged onto a rubbish-filled rooftop with a view of only the surrounding buildings and billboards.
On the roof next door, somebody had left a pile of rose petals to dry in the sun. (A romantic gesture?) I took a few photos, gazed at my reflection in the mirrored windows of an office tower across the street — and noticed, out of the corner of my eye, two men staring at me from an even higher rooftop a few buildings away.
Startled, I looked up. One man took a drag on his cigarette. They continued to stare. I wondered what they were doing up there and my mind flashed to the climax from Infernal Affairs when Tony Leung sneaks up on Andy Lau with a gun. A bit unnerved, I ducked back into the stairwell and went down to the bookstore.
Tags: Exploring the City, Hong Kong, Kowloon, Mongkok, Rooftops, Views from Above
YTSL says:
What a cool experience/story, Chris! Though, yes, I agree that it would feel unnerving in real time! :D
Speaking of rooftops: I have part access to one on account of living where I do (in a tong lau). Unfortunately, said rooftop is too cluttered for comfort. Also, I have to admit to finding myself wishing for rain many a summer’s weekend so that people won’t go up there to effectively barbecue on my roof! :D
December 22nd, 2010 at 9:58 am
RPC says:
This may be linked to elsewhere on the site but Rufina Wu and Stefan Canham have a fabulous book on rooftop settlements in HK –
Portraits from Above: Hong Kong’s Informal Rooftop Communities
http://www.amazon.com/Portraits-Above-Informal-Rooftop-Communities/dp/3980967778
December 22nd, 2010 at 11:38 pm
Changfang Luo says:
In my hometown Taipei, rooftop is also the no-go area. It’s the void in the city – people take chance to throw junks, or to claim more spaces by roof extensions. This year I have visited the rooftop of our apartment in Taipei. I’m so surprised, after not visiting it for more than 8 years, an intricate structure made of salvaged wood has occupied the entire roof scape. The maker, Mr. Cheng, is an 80-years-old veteran and one of the residents of our apartment, said that building up this structure keeps him active and vigor. Apparently, the rooftop has become Mr. Cheng’s leisure playground.
August 30th, 2011 at 5:45 am