Staircases have seemingly replaced street art and graffiti walls as the next big photo trend. Put your best foot forward and Instagram your every step, from storey to storey. Whatever kind you’re looking for, these gorgeous stairwells in Hong Kong will help take your Insta-game to the next level. By Karl Lam. All photos by Freddie Rodgers
RECOMMENDED: Prefer to photograph your cocktails instead? Or what about housing estates? They make pretty awesome backdrops, too.
One of the most photogenic and popular filming sites for Hong Kong TV dramas, Duddell Street’s gas lamps and street steps are together a renowned heritage location. The street steps, built between 1875 and 1889, are the oldest of their kind still remaining and the vintage gas lamps are the only ones remaining Hong Kong.
With a prime location in the heart of Hong Kong Park, it’s surprising that relatively few people are aware of the hidden gem that is the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware. The museum is home to an octagonal spiralling staircase lit by French-style windows, evoking a sense of old-school colonial charm. Look up and you’ll see the glass roof opening up on to the concrete jungle.
Just next to Fortress Hill MTR station is one of the city’s most striking public staircases. We’re obsessed with the patchwork style of the walls, painted in different shades of green and blue, which will make it pop on your Instagram feed.
Whilst most stairwells are circular or rectangular, the Hong Kong Arts Centre in Wan Chai, designed by Tao Ho, features a triangular stairwell. Pristine white, it makes for a stunning backdrop. As a bonus, when you look up or down the middle, you’re greeted by triangles fading into the distance, creating a mind-boggling visual sequence.
Once you're satisfied with your photoshoot at Flagstaff House, take a stroll through Hong Kong Park and head for the wide, cascading steps near the Cotton Tree Drive entrance. What makes the setting unique is the gentle waterfall that flows out by the sides of the steps. As well as making a fantastic Boomerang, it’s also an ideal spot to de-stress and enjoy a slice of peace and quiet in the city.
An architectural marvel, the Jockey Club Innovation Tower at Hong Kong Polytechnic University was designed by star architect, the late Zaha Hadid. In this modern epicentre where design and technology blend seamlessly, staircases wind through intertwining ramps. There’s even mood lighting on-site, so you can leave your ring light at home.
We simply can’t get enough of Tai Kwun’s architectural photo ops. The spiral staircase, located inside JC Contemporary art gallery, is both abstract and geometrical, whether seen from above or below. For a fantastic Instagram shot, tell a friend to take a candid snapshot of you walking down the stairs. For more on Tai Kwun, head here.
Hong Kong’s skyline is one of the city’s biggest attractions. Our SAR’s multitude of skyscrapers can really take your breath away, which is why we’ve rounded up some of the most impressive locations where you can go and document those stunning sights via camera and Instagram.
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