The Mid-Levels Escalator
The Central to Mid-Levels Escalator is one of the most unique public transportation systems in the world. It holds the title of being the longest such escalator system, at 800 metres in length and with an elevation of 135 metres from start to finish. It is covered for it's entire length, to protect from the elements.
The system was conceived to reduce traffic problems in the Central and Western district, the core of Hong Kong's economic and business activities. The areas on the hills and mountains above, known as the Mid-Levels, are popular with expatriates, who usually have offices down in Central. The escalators make it possible to walk to work.
From start to finish, it takes around 20 minutes if you stand still, obviously it's a lot quicker if you walk. It runs downhill from 06:00 HRS to 10:00 HRS and uphill from 10:30 HRS to 00:00 HRS.
Since the system opened in the 1990s, the escalators have opened up previously quiet streets to commerce and trade, due to the surge in pedestrians. The areas along the route, especially Soho, have developed restaurants, bars, coffee houses, breakfast takeaways, 7-11 convenience stores etc, to service customers as they go to work and return home. It is also a tourist attraction in it's own right.
It should be no surprise that accommodation near a convenient access point to the escalators, attracts a premium.
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From top to bottom, the roads intersected/access points are:
- Conduit Road
- Robinson Road
- Mosque Junction
- Mosque Street
- Caine Road
- Elgin Street
- Staunton Street
- Hollywood Road
- Lyndhurst Terrace
- Gage Street
- Wellington Street
- Stanley Street
- Queens Road Central
- Des Voeux Road Central
Use of the escalator is free to everyone.
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