1. The view: Tseung Kwan O
‘I shot this in 2003 during Sars, in Tseung Kwan O in the New Territories. I love hiking the hills of Hong Kong in search of great views. On that day, much to my surprise, there was a typical Hong Kong plastic chair in a position that made it look like a throne. Before I took this photograph, I sat in it and felt like a king overlooking his country.’
Michael Wolf, German photographer who works in Hong Kong
2. The band: My Little Airport
‘My Little Airport are local indie pop duo Lam Pang and vocalist Nicole Au Kin-ying, and one of the collective of artists who set up local label Harbour Records. They don’t play punk music, although in spirit they are the most punk band in town.
Though their influences come from all over, they manage to create something that is uniquely and unmistakably Hong Kong. For certain sections of society, their songs (sung in both English and Cantonese) represent a lot of the sentiments of modern life here.’
Justin Sweeting, co-founder of Clockenflap Music & Arts Festival
3. The snack: fish balls
‘In a city and region known for its love of seafood, nothing is more iconic than fish balls, the ultimate Cantonese street food snack. Bouncy to the bite, they’re known as “fish eggs” in Cantonese and are usually either golden or white, served on bamboo skewers or in cups. It’s a controversial choice – when is it not? – but Kai Kei Snack in Mong Kok wins my vote. They’re starchy in texture, but it’s the spicy, slightly sweet curry sauce that makes all the difference.’
Kai Kei Snack, 41 Dundas Street, Mong Kok
Chris Dwyer, Hong Kong-based food journalist
4. The structure: Central-Mid Levels Escalator
‘Perhaps it is more urban acupuncture than a building in the conventional sense, but this 800-metre-long structure transforms the entire neighbourhood and creates its own vibrancy – far beyond its original purpose of providing a mechanised system to move people up and down this very steep section of the city centre. The project makes Hong Kong a truly vertical city.’
Gary Chang, architectural and interior designer; founder and managing director of Edge Design Institute
