Hong Kong’s Commuter Escalator

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Central–Mid-Levels Escalators in Hong Kong.
CCL photo by Chris Yunker.

Escalators may not be what comes to mind when you think of mass transit. However, the Mid-Levels Escalator in Hong Kong moves over 70,000 pedestrians each day from one part of the city to another.

HK Central Cochrane Street Central-Mid-Levels escalators
CCL photo by WingLuk.

I first heard about the Mid-Levels Escalator while watching the film Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong and had to find out more.

Shelley Street Central-Mid-Levels escalators in Hong Kong
Shelley Street in Hong Kong. CCL photo by Maucaine.

Turns out, it’s the world’s longest covered escalator system. In fact, it’s so large and so widely used that shops, bars, and other businesses have sprung up alongside it to take advantage of the built-in foot traffic.

Sai Ying Pun Centre Street Escalators
CCL photo by Rome Picasso 2018 MDUHSYE.

The 800m- (1/2 mile-) series of outdoor escalators and moving walkways connects the Central District’s skyscrapers with the residential area up the hill, known as Mid-Levels.

 

LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics Asia Hong Kong 21 Lyndhurst Terrace Central-Mid-Levels escalators interior
Lyndhurst Terrace Central-Mid-Levels escalators interior. CCL photo by Tpechncoam.

Just like reversible lanes on a roadway, the direction changes to accommodate the daily commute – one-way escalators moving downhill for the morning rush hours and then uphill the rest of the day.

Central-Mid-Levels escalators.
Hong Kong – Central-Mid-Levels escalators. CCL photo by Deror avi.

It opened in 1993 and is currently undergoing renovations a section at a time.

Sai Ying Pun Centre Street August Escalators
Sai Ying Pun Centre Street. CCL photo by Rome Picasso 2018 MDUHSYE.

Like a funicular (without any sort of tram car), it’s another clever way to get up a hill!

Central-Mid-Levels escalators in Hong Kong.
CCL photo by K.C. Tang

– More Info –

Hong Kong Mid-Levels Escalator

 

Hong Kong street at night
Scene from the film Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong.

Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong film


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One Reply to “Hong Kong’s Commuter Escalator”

  1. I was going to say I was sure I’d been on that, except that the trip when I thought I did that was in 1991, before it had opened! I think maybe I was on a cable car. I found it fascinating commuting up this hill/mountain past all these residential houses and apartments. Hong Kong is great. Maybe I need to go back!

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