Photos

This is Hong Kong as seen from the top deck of the Peak Tower on Victoria Peak. The view from Victoria Peak is probably one of the most famous city views in the world. It was about 1 hour after sunset when I took this photo.

The tallest building in the photo (and also in Hong Kong, for the moment) is the IFC II Tower (International Finance Centre) which is the one on the left with the white top is 88 storeys and almost 410m in height. A 108 storey building above the Kowloon Metro station (the other side of the water) is currently being built and is due to be finished sometime in 2007.

The building just to the right of centre with the big white neon X's is the controversial Bank of China Tower (3rd tallest in HK). It was completed in 1990 and is controversial because many local people see the tower as a huge violation of the principles of feng shui. For example the 4 triangular prisms are negative symbols in the feng shui rule book; being the opposite to circles which represent perfection and (importantly in a bank) prosperity. Also, the huge crosses on the sides suggest negativity and its shape has been likened to a praying mantis (a threatening symbol), complete with radio masts as antennae. Interestingly, it was designed by a Chinese-born architect called IM Pei.

Here is a photo I posted 2 days ago from inside the Peak Tower.

Have a good weekend!

Regards,

Rich