Kowloon - The Walled City Facts

KOWLOON: The  Walled City

Kowloon Walled city has always been a bit of an anomaly for me it seemed like a modern dystopia inspiring settings for the anime Ghost In A Shell as well as many other shows and movies,I find it fascinating that China and Britain were against taking responsibility for what had become of this place.

Kowloon Walled City was a densely populated, largely ungoverned settlement in New Kowloon, Hong Kong. Originally a Chinese military fort, the Walled City became an enclave after the New Territories were leased toBritain in 1898. Its population increased dramatically following the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. In 1987, the Walled City contained 33,000 residents within its 2.6-hectare (0.010 sq mi) borders. From the 1950s to the 1970s, it was controlled by Triads and had high rates of prostitution, gambling, and drug use.

KWC inhabitants were often criminals, refugees, and drug addicts who for one reason or another could not find work outside the city, or who had reason to fear the authorities. Other people were there because they grew up there, since their parents lived there.

In January 1987, the Hong Kong government announced plans to demolish the Walled City. After an arduous eviction process, demolition began in March 1993 and was completed in April 1994. Kowloon Walled City Park opened in December 1995 and occupies the area of the former Walled City. Some historical artefacts from the Walled City, including its yamen building and remnants of its South Gate, have been preserved there.

on reddit an ama is also present about kowloon though the person in question was very young during their time in kowloon a lot of useful information can be found in this subreddit

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and many documentaries have been made about this place

this one i found best represents the place and the people living within the walls

english subtitled

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