In 1994, Wong Kar-wai's "Chongqing Forest" brought Chongqing Mansion much attention. The shaky, fragmented postmodern love story is staged here, and it also brings out stories of concealment, murder, and drug dealing, which some scoff at and see as an adventure playground. Time magazine described Chung King Mansion as a "best case study of globalization", adding to Hong Kong's diversification.
Chung King Mansion is located in Tsim Sha Tsui, adjacent to the upscale Peninsula Hotel and Holiday Inn, and is located in Hong Kong's prime mile, surrounded by some of the world's most expensive property markets. However, for travelers and backpackers, it has long occupied the forefront of Hong Kong's cheap accommodation, and a single room is only 100 Hong Kong dollars a night. Chongqing Mansion is bustling and mysterious, like a "mosaic" area outside the mainstream society.
Chungking Mansion is home to a mix of shops and residents from more than 100 countries around the world, including smugglers from West Africa, royalty from the South Pacific, prostitutes from South Asia and Somali refugees...... Lonely Planet commented that it had "the ability to suck money out of tourists' pockets" and was the starting point for what anthropologist McGordon called "low-end globalization".
Wong Kar-wai is no exaggeration to name it "The Forest", and its dark, damp temperament pervades the building. Chung King Mansion uses the local architectural design common in Hong Kong from the 60s, and the structure is like a labyrinth, and "you can't go straight from here to there" can describe the intricacies of the building. Chungking Mansion has a self-sufficient ecosystem where a person can find everything they need in life for weeks or months without leaving Chungking Mansion.
For third world people, Hong Kong's Chungking Mansions is their middle-class way of life, but for Hong Kong natives, it's a black heart. Although the current Chungking Mansion is not as notorious as it was in the 70s, and the level of fire protection and law and order has been improved, it is precisely because of its decay and cheapness, and it coexists with the surrounding developed areas and is not on par. The reason why Chung King Mansion can exist in Hong Kong is closely related to Hong Kong's relatively relaxed visa regulations. Most developed countries require visitors from developing countries to apply for a visa prior to arrival, otherwise they will not be able to fly or be immediately deported. Hong Kong is special in that you can stay for a few days even if you don't have a visa.
From a certain point of view, Chungking Mansion reflects the most authentic international environment at the moment, becoming a microcosm of the whole world, and can be called a must-visit place for movie fans. Don't forget to take care of your belongings.
