Central–Mid-levels escalators, Public transport escalator system in Central district, Hong Kong
The Central–Mid-levels escalators form a public transport system linking the lower business district with the residential hillside neighborhoods across more than 800 meters. The installation uses 18 escalators and 3 moving walkways that run through covered passages over steep streets and intersections.
The city began construction in February 1991 to ease movement between neighborhoods separated by steep hillside streets. The system opened to the public in October 1993.
The route passes through neighborhoods where locals buy groceries at market stalls and stop for noodles at small eateries. Along the way you see incense burning at shrines, families walking home from school, and corner shops open late into the evening.
The escalators run downhill until 10 AM and then switch to uphill direction until midnight, so visitors arriving after morning hours can ride upward without difficulty. You can step off at any point to explore side streets and rejoin the route later.
The system climbs a total of 135 meters and is recognized as the longest outdoor covered escalator network in the world. The full ride without stopping takes about 20 minutes from bottom to top.
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