Central part 1 - Statue Square, IFC, Connaught Road and more

Central, the center of Central and Western district is where the heart of Hong Kong Island's business and shopping district is. This is where you find many of the tallest skyscrapers, most luxorious hotels and shopping malls. It used to be the center of the city of Victoria, a name that is rarely used today. Central district is bordering Admirality to the East and Sheung Wan to the West, and is situated between the Northern shore of Hong Kong Island and the mountains, that are taller then the skyscrapers.

Connaught Road is the most busy road that passes Central, but Des Voeux Road with its traffic of double decked trams and buses is the most appealing. Statue Square is the heart of the city, and here you find iconic buildings as Bank of China Tower, HSBC Building, Cheung Kong Center, Old Bank of China, the historic Supreme Court, the Thomas Jackson statue and the historic building that now houses the parliament - Legco Building. International Finance Center (IFC) houses the island's tallest building (Hong Kong's 2nd tallest), the 90-storey Two IFC, as well as shopping malls and hotels, and the modern Hong Kong Station, a major railway hub.There are many significant skyscrapers in Central, such as Lippo Towers, The Center, Jardine House and Bank of China Tower with its diagonal lines, the latter two were both once Hong Kong's tallest building upon completion. The beautiful Hong Kong Park and Hong Kong Zoo are also in Central (see part 2). The Central - Mid-Level Escalator, the world's longest escalator system, takes you up to greater heights at Mid-Level, and passes by SoHo (also in part 2). There are not many opportunities to stroll along the coastline, but a huge project with parks and promenades that stretches to Wan Chai is under construction.

Two International Finance Center (2IFC) Two International Finance Center (2IFC), the tallest building on Hong Kong Island (90 floors) Two International Finance Center (2IFC). Architect: Cesar Pelli Details, Two IFC. Details, Two IFC. Details, Two IFC. Waterfall at the entrance to IFC. Admirality district, the People's Liberation Army. Statue Square, the heart of Hong Kong's Central district, and the political and historical heart of Hong Kong. Statue Square Statue Square Legco Building Thomas Jackson Statue at Statue Square. Legislative Council Building (Legco Bldg) on Statue Square, the parliament building of Hong Kong, built in 1912. Legislative Council Building (Legco Bldg), the parliament on Statue Square. Legislative Council Building (Legco Bldg), the parliament on Statue Square. Details of Legco Bldg, that now houses HK:s parliament. Details of Legco Bldg, that now houses HK:s parliament. HSBC Building. Details of HSBC Statue Square Statue Square Statue Square Statue Square The Supreme Court, a former 150 year old French mission building on a hill above Statue Square. The Supreme Court, a former 150 year old French mission building on a hill above Statue Square. The old look of Central, formerly called Vicoria. Statue Square Statue Square, the historical heart of Hong Kong. In the middle is the 69-storey Cheung Kong Centre by Li Ka-shing, built in 1999. It's feng shui was adjusted to its neighbour, Bank of China Tower. Because of superstition, it lacks all floors that ends with 4. Legco Bldg, Old Bank of China, Chung Kong Centre. Mandarin Oriental. Built in 1963, as one of the world's most luxorious hotels.Today it is dwarfed by the much newer surrounding skyscrapers. Jardine House with its circular windows was Asia's tallest building 1973-1980! To the right is HK:s 2nd tallest, IFC, that was the tallest in HK 2003-2010. The Center. HSBC Bank Building, Sir Norman Foster's masterpiece, was the most expensive buildning in the world when it opened in 1985. The 44-storey, 179m tall building, is today dwarfed by taller skyscrapers, but remains unique. It is the headquarters of Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Corp (HSBC) and is considered to have the city's best feng shui (balance). HSBC Bank Building, Sir Norman Foster's masterpiece, was the most expensive buildning in the world when it opened in 1985. The 44-storey, 179m tall building, is today dwarfed by taller skyscrapers, but remains unique. It is the headquarters of Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Corp (HSBC) and is considered to have the city's best feng shui (balance). HSBC Bank Building, Sir Norman Foster's masterpiece, was the most expensive buildning in the world when it opened in 1985. The 44-storey, 179m tall building, is today dwarfed by taller skyscrapers, but remains unique. It is the headquarters of Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Corp (HSBC) and is considered to have the city's best feng shui (balance). The lion at the entance to HSBC Bank. The atrium of HSBC is "hanging" above the ground and has a glass floor. The atrium of HSBC is "hanging" above the ground and has a glass floor. The atrium of HSBC is "hanging" above the ground and has a glass floor. The atrium of HSBC is "hanging" above the ground and has a glass floor. HSBC Bank Building atrium is world famous for its "Blade Runner" feeling. It was designed by the world famous archiect Sir Norman Foster. HSBC Bank Building atrium HSBC Bank Building atrium HSBC Bank of China Tower. Built in 1990 as Hong Kong's tallest building, it is today 4th tallest, with 72 floors and 367m to the spire. Designed by the world famous architect IM Pei,. Bank of China Tower. The base of Bank of China Tower at Garden Road/Statue Square. The entrance to Bank of China Tower The entrance to Bank of China Tower. There are fishes in the pound! Bank of China Tower The old Bank of China Building with a strangely coloured Rolls-Royce in front. Central_111 The old Bank of China Building. Central_191 Four Seasons Place. Chater Garden, a well maintained, small but hilly park, next to Sculpture Square. Chater Garden, Statue Square Chater Garden Chater Garden. St John's Cathedral is an anglical cathedral on Garden Road. Completed in 1849, it is the oldest surviving western building in Hong Kong, and the seat of the archbishop of HK. St John's Cathedral Central_205 Skyscrapers of Central: Cheung Kong Centre, Bank of America and Citibank Plaza. Central_178 Central_186 Central_188 Central_210 Connaught Road and the elevated highway. Central_219 Des Voeux Road Des Voeux Road Western Market. Western Market. Shun Tak Centre from 1986 with its significant red striped twin towers, 145m tall each. A shopping mall, a large parking garage and the Macau ferry terminal can be found inside the complex . Shun Tak Centre from 1986 with its significant red striped twin towers, 145m tall each. A shopping mall, a large parking garage and the Macau ferry terminal can be found inside the complex . Shun Tak Centre has a shopping mall that attracts common people, and not only the super rich. Central_226 Four Seasons Place and IFC. Connaught Road Connaught Road towards Shun Tak Centre. Shun Tak Centre. Central_232 Lippo Towers from 1988. Originally built by an Australian, the glass towers are designed to resembles koalas climbing on the walls. The tallest tower is 186m tall. Central_233 Far East Financial Center from 1982 in Admirality district. Central_235 Connaught Road Central_238 Admirality towards Wan Chai and Hopewell Centre. Central_242 Admirality district Pacific Place in Admirality with Shangri-La, Conrad and JW Marriott hotels. Admirality Green mountains seen from Admirality. Three Pacific Place, Admirality. Des Voeux Road/ice House Street. Standard Chatered Bank in the middle. Jardine House with its circular windows was Asia's tallest building 1973-1980! The round windows of Jardine House. Cibank Plaza, 205m tall, from 1992. Four Seaons Place Hotel. IFC and Four Seasons. Connaught Road Central Connaught Road Central Connaught Road Central Central_011 Two International Finance Centre (IFC) Central_015 Phillippino invasion. Central_017 Connaught Place Central_018 Central_019 Sculptures at Connaught Place. Connaught Road Central Connaught Road Central Connaught Place, Connaught Road Central Connaught Place, Connaught Road Central Central_028 On Sundays, the same day we arrived, Phillippino and Indonesian homemaids invade Central! The other inhabitants and tourists stay away, because it is easy to get trapped and hard to get through anywhere! It is their only free day in the week. Central_030 On Sundays, the same day we arrived, Phillippino and Indonesian homemaids invade Central! The other inhabitants and tourists stay away, because it is easy to get trapped and hard to get through anywhere! It is their only free day in the week. Waterfall and bulls near at Connaught Place IFC. Connaught Place Connaught Place Postmodern/gothic skyscraper. Central_033 North Garden was a Chinese restaurant in Central with native Chinese food, like meat with much bones in it, dumplings and noodles. The staff didn't speak English and wasn't service minded at all! North Garden was a Chinese restaurant in Central with native Chinese food, like meat with much bones in it, dumplings and noodles. The staff didn't speak English and wasn't service minded at all! Hong Kong's Central district partly reminds of Manhattan. One IFC Two IFC IFC shopping mall Hong Kong Station. IFC Mall is a 4-storey shopping mall right below the IFC supertall skyscraper. The adjancent Hong Kong Station was the first place we saw in central Hong Kong. Apple store, IFC mall. IFC Mall IFC Mall The new ferris wheel at the harbour. There are many skybridges in Central, that passes over the busy Connaught Road. There are many skybridges in Central, that passes over the busy Connaught Road. Shun Tak Centre. Near the harbour. To the right is the General Post Office bldg. There are not many opportunities to stroll along the coastline, but a huge project with parks and promenades that stretches to Wan Chai is under construction. Apple Store in IFC Mall is "hanging" above the street. Wan chai seen from Central. Two IFC by night. Lippo Towers, Far East Financial Center and Bank of China Tower. Lippo Towers, Far East Financial Center and Bank of China Tower. Skyscrapers of Central: Cheung Kong Centre, Bank of America and Citibank Plaza. Skyscrapers of Central: Cheung Kong Centre, Bank of America and Citibank Plaza. IFC from Statue Square. Bank of China Tower. Bank of China Tower. Central_083 Citibank Plaza. Citibank Plaza. Central_087 Bank of China Tower Central_090 Central_091 Chater Garden, Statue Square Chater Garden, Statue Square Chater Garden, Statue Square Historic HK The 69-storey Cheung Kong Centre by Li Ka-shing, built in 1999. It's feng shui was adjusted to its neighbour, Bank of China Tower. Because of superstition, it lacks all floors that ends with 4. Old Bank of China. HSBC Old Bank of CHina Central_107 Statue Square Mandarin Oriental and IFC. Mandarin Oriental Central_137 Jardine House, once Asia's tallest. General Post Office Statue Square Hong Kong Station. Des Voeux Road. Des Voeux Road. Police MC in Central. Central_151 Busy intersection at Des Voeux Road.. Des Voeux Road. Double decked bus and trams passes along Des Voeux Road. Des Voeux Road. Colourful double decked trams of Central's Des Voeux Road. Central skyscrapers Bank of China and Chueng Kong IFC IFC Far East Financial Center from 1982 (left) and Bank of America Tower from 1975 (right). Central by night. See more night photos form Central here: http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Hong_Kong_by_night2.html Central by night. See more night photos form Central here: http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Hong_Kong_by_night2.html Central by night. See more night photos form Central here: http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Hong_Kong_by_night2.html Central by night. See more night photos form Central here: http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Hong_Kong_by_night2.html Central by night. See more night photos form Central here: http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Hong_Kong_by_night2.htmlightbox gallery zoomby VisualLightBox.com v6.1