Central Mid-Levels Escalators, Hong Kong

The Central-Mid-levels escalators are the longest, covered outdoor escalator system in the world. They cover over eight hundred meters in distance and elevate over one hundred and thirty five meters from bottom to top. The system was constructed in 1993 in order to provide an easier commute by linking the Western and Central Districts on Hong Kong Island.

The Island of Hong King consists of steep and hilly terrain, which makes it difficult for residents and tourists’ alike to commute up and down the slopes. Due to this reason, Hong Kong has many unusual and unique systems of transport in order to facilitate its citizens and tourists as well.

The elevator system was officially opened on the 15th of October in 1993. Ever since then, it has played a key role in making the Western District pedestrian friendly. Passing through narrow streets, the system links Des Voeux Road in the Central district of Hong Kong with Conduit Road in the Mid-levels. It usually has a daily traffic of over 50,000 people. Although the total travel time is twenty minutes from one end of the system to the other, most people walk while the escalators are moving in order to shorten their trip.