A photo walk with the Hong Kong Photography Meetup

I’ve spent a scorching hot Saturday afternoon visiting Cha Kwo Ling Village in Kowloon with the Hong Kong Photography Meetup group. I didn’t do any research in advance, and was surprised to find out it’s a squatter village, a small shanty town.

Cha Kwo Ling Village - image 1 - student project

Lots of criss-crossing alleyways go up and down on the hillside. Despite its poor conditions, the village has a community center and a beautiful little stone temple. Here’s the burning ceremony in action at the temple:

Cha Kwo Ling Village - image 2 - student project

The village has an amazing view of Hong Kong city across Victoria Harbour. The contrast between the two sides of Hong Kong is really thought provoking...

Cha Kwo Ling Village - image 3 - student project

The locals were not supportive of being photographed, except this friendly, slightly battered cat!

Cha Kwo Ling Village - image 4 - student project

The organically evolved architecture is crazy, impressive, random and beautiful at the same time.

Cha Kwo Ling Village - image 5 - student project

Rusty, colorful, well worn, beautiful - the shapes and patterns of the walls and building material is a photographer's dream.

Cha Kwo Ling Village - image 6 - student project

Cha Kwo Ling Village - image 7 - student project

Cha Kwo Ling Village - image 8 - student project

Just across the road, there’s a construction site, no doubt building modern, and prohibitively expensive apartments, malls and offices for a different set of tenants. Until it’s done though, the village’s inhabitants own this amazing sunset view.

Cha Kwo Ling Village - image 9 - student project

Balazs Fejes

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