Chungking Mansions

[Vyse Hazuky]

I tried searching the forums but could not find any info on it.

Chungking Mansions is a building located at 36–44 Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The building is well known as nearly the cheapest accommodation in Hong Kong. Though the building is supposedly residential, it is made up of many independent low-budget hotels, shops, and other services. The unusual atmosphere of the building is sometimes compared to that of Kowloon Walled City.

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Even if it's at a smaller scale it seems to me (bar that fantastic reimagining as an arcade in Kawasaki) as Kowloon's best heritage as a contained urban village, housing people from all over the world, in an almost self-sufficient manner. And, thankfully, there seems to be no indication that it will shut down anytime soon.

Article "Chungking Mansions Uncovered
探秘重庆大厦": http://www.uschina.usc.edu/w_usci/showarticle.aspx?articleID=16788&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

google picture gallery: https://www.google.pt/search?q=chung+king+mansion&rlz=1C1SVEE_enPT449PT449&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=pt-PT&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&authuser=0&ei=XoTJUY_mL8eKhQf-ooDACA&biw=1366&bih=681&sei=OYbJUd3EGMfwhQf5noHwAQ

As you can see the pictures alone look right at home with KWC's.

In Shenmue II there doesn't seem to be a clear reference to this building ( in Hong Kong).
Have any of you who have visited Hong Kong been to this place?

[south carmain]

reminds me of some of the places I went to in the UAE. I'm surprised he didn't mention the whorehouses though, the place is pretty renown for it.

[Master Kyodai]

There's a good Wong Kar Wai Movie called "Chungking mansion". In the WKW Flic "Fallen Angels" the father of the mute guy is also working in chungking mansions. I recommend both movies if ya wanna get a glimpse of what it's like.

[Calshot]

^
"Chungking Express" actually. "Fallen Angels" was originally supposed to be a part of "Chungking Express", but was cut out for lack of time and spun off into its own thing. I'd also recommend both movies.

[Vyse Hazuky]

Right-o.

[Bambi]

I love Chungking Express and Fallen Angels, awesome movies and something I'd recommend to any fan of Shenmue 2.

[Ziming]

I'm adding Tiger Cage 2. It has that 80's Hong Kong vibe from Shenmue 2.

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[Vyse Hazuky]

Thank you.

In meantime, I got this book: http://www.hkupress.org/Common/Reader/P ... 9888083367

I'll let you know if it's Shenmue relevant once I finish it.

[Bambi]

Thank you.

In meantime, I got this book: http://www.hkupress.org/Common/Reader/P ... 9888083367

I'll let you know if it's Shenmue relevant once I finish it.

Please do.

You have City of Darkness right? I'd love to get it but the price tag makes it a little too indulgent at the moment.

[Vyse Hazuky]

Yeah, I do. Wow, the ones they have on Amazon UK right now are absurd!

I was actually considering getting this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kowloon-Walled- ... alled+city

but it honestly doesn't look as good as City of Darkness:

[Crimson Ryan]

I was actually considering getting this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kowloon-Walled- ... alled+city

Looks good, shame there isn't any details about it.

[LawXiu]

I'll be staying at the Chung King mansions in December. It's not as seedy as people say it is. It's just old. But it is cheap. I'll be staying at the Las Vegas guest house which has been refurbished in recent years.

I'll get some pictures and video for you all but don't expect it to be Kowloon's walled city. That place was in a league of it's own.

Might actually visit Man Mo temple this time. Christmas day maybe.

[Axm]

I stayed at Chunking Mansions when I visited Hong Kong before and I liked it there. The only problem was the number of lifts for such a tall building, often had to wait a long time to use them. I often got bored and just used the stairs which took a while as i was staying on the top floor but the price and the location made up for it:)

[Vyse Hazuky]

Thank you.

In meantime, I got this book: http://www.hkupress.org/Common/Reader/P ... 9888083367

I'll let you know if it's Shenmue relevant once I finish it.

Sorry about the delay. The book isn't really relevant to Shenmue's Hong Kong, however I found it quite interesting. Moreso than the building's history, the showcase is it's present as a hub for (mostly) South Asian and African traders who use it for accommodation, business, etc... as a sort of link between the 3rd and 2nd world.
It paints a very arresting picture of Hong Kong as the land of opportunity.

There's also a faint description of its former seediness, but mostly regarding how it's so much better now, and all that jazz.

Still haven't got the japanese KWC picture book yet... Xmas present?

[Crimson Ryan]

Still haven't got the japanese KWC picture book yet... Xmas present?

Doesn't seem worth it. All the photos are black and white and there's no text. The City of Darkness book is the definitive one in my opinion..