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All Hong Kong Central-Mid-Levels Escalators

Central-Mid-Levels Escalators

The world's longest outdoor covered escalator system transports commuters through Hong Kong's hilly terrain.

Hong Kong

Added By
Leslie McIntyre
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Shelley Street and Elgin Street intersection   Maucaine
Shelley Street and Elgin Street intersection   Maucaine
Heading uphill after the morning rush down to the financial centre.   simpsonamanda8 / Atlas Obscura User
Entrance to the Escalators from the financial district.   simpsonamanda8 / Atlas Obscura User
  Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
The escalator at rush hour   Yun Huang Yong
Inside the Central-Mid-Levels escalator   K.C. Tang
Elgin Street entrance   FongCYu
From near the top of the Escalators, looking downhill.   simpsonamanda8 / Atlas Obscura User
The escalator system is broken into several sections   ElphHK/Flickr user
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About

For most city-dwellers, the daily commute is characterized by congested streets, packed subway cars, or perilous bike rides. But for many commuters traveling between Hong Kong's Central and Mid-levels districts, the trip to and from work can be as easy as standing in place and holding the handrail while roughly a mile's worth of covered escalators and moving sidewalks moves them through the surrounding hills.

Plans for the Central-Mid-Levels escalator system were proposed in 1987 as a means of transporting a growing population through the island's challenging slopes. Prior to the project's completion in 1993, commuters were obliged to take a circuitous route consisting of several miles of zigzagging roads in order to travel between the two districts. The Central-Mid-Levels escalators introduced a pedestrian option that was much more direct. It takes roughly 20 minutes to cover the entire length of the network, which at times weaves its way through residential blocks as well as more commercial areas. Most commuters shorten the trip by walking some or all of the way while the escalators are in motion.

The escalators also provide a free, leisurely option for tourists looking to explore the area. Numerous entrances offer ample opportunities to enter and exit in order to investigate nearby restaurants, markets, and shops. Visitors should keep in mind that the system runs in one direction only — downhill during the morning rush hour and uphill from 10:30 am to midnight. A stairwell runs alongside the elevators, providing pedestrian access for those traveling in the opposite direction.

 

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Community Contributors

Added By

Leslie McIntyre

Edited By

Jaszmina Szendrey, aribrown, simpsonamanda8

  • Jaszmina Szendrey
  • aribrown
  • simpsonamanda8

Published

August 29, 2013

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Sources
  • http://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/06/style/06iht-trhk_ed2_.html
Central-Mid-Levels Escalators
Hong Kong
22.283664, 114.154833

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