Choi Hung Estate is about to be demolished and redeveloped in phases. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
With a history of 60 years, Choi Hung Village is one of the oldest public housing estates in Hong Kong, and with its colorful façade, it has become a tourist attraction in Hong Kong in recent years. Recently, it has been reported that the Hong Kong Housing Authority intends to demolish and rebuild the village in phases, and residents are reluctant to give up and look forward to a new world after redevelopment.
Choi Hung Estate was still agricultural land in the 60s of the last century. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
Formerly known as Shadi Garden, one of the 13 Heungs in Kowloon, Choi Hung Estate is a large area of verdant farmland with Lion Rock and Fei Goe Hill in its back, and Kai Tak Airport and Victoria Harbour. It is said that in the 60s of the last century, when it was still farmland, the sea surface reflected sunlight after the rain, and a beautiful rainbow appeared, hence the name.
In the 60s of the last century, when it was still agricultural land, the sea refracted the sunlight after the rain, and a beautiful rainbow appeared, so it was named Choi Hung Estate (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
Designed by P&T Architects & Engineers Limited, the estate was awarded the Silver Medal Award, the highest honour of the year by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, in 1965 for its combination of Bauhaus style elements and its L- and T-shaped buildings. Since 1994, the exterior walls have been painted in seven different shades of red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue and purple, and after repainting in 2014, the color has been reduced from 7 to 5, minus red and cyan.
Choi Hung Estate has nurtured many celebrity residents. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
Former U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon (1964) visited Rainbow Village to play badminton with residents, while Princess Margaret and Princess Arissa of England visited in 1966 and 1980 respectively.
Choi Hung Estate. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
Choi Hung Estate has nurtured many celebrity residents, including the late celebrity chef "Ah Yi Abalone" Yeung Koon-yi, former Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Professor Chan K-keung, entertainers Tse Kwan Ho, Poon Chan-leung, Kwok Fung, Lau Yee Tat, etc.
Rainbow seven-color basketball court. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
In recent years, the rainbow seven-color basketball court has become a check-in destination for tourists and Hong Kong people, and Korean idol groups and variety shows have also come to film.
Rainbow seven-color basketball court. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
Choi Hung Estate has a number of small shops of more than half a century, including Jinbi Tea House Restaurant (opened in 1964), Canan Street (since 1962), Shanghai Gorgeous Barber Company (opened for more than half a century), etc., as well as supermarket chains and eateries to provide residents with daily necessities.
Jinbi Tea House Restaurant (opened in 1964). (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
A snack shop in Choi Hung Estate. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
A snack shop in Choi Hung Estate. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
Laundry in Choi Hung Estate. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
Choi Hung Estate Opticians and Watch Shops. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
Wing Yung Department Store in Choi Hung Estate. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
The second staircase of the house in Choi Hung Estate. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
The walls of buildings in Choi Hung Estate are ageing. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
Choi Hung Estate. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
Mutual Aid Committee in Choi Hung Estate. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
Choi Hung Estate Service Centre. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
Reminder slogan in Choi Hung Estate. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
Residents of Choi Hung Estate. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)
Choi Hung Estate. (Photo by Dian News reporter Mak Junjie)