*..Chungking Mansions..*

Okay so the Chapman pple going for HK Film Mart in March have all booked accommodation at New Hongkong Hostel @ Chungking Mansions building. It's pretty cheap, the cheapest one. But it looked really nice in the pictures and won best hostel of the year award...Abt 20-22 per night per person..

Seee the rooms look okay what...Nice attached bathroom, nice room, free internet...



This is ChungKing Mansions.


Looks haunted huh! As in the grayscale exterior from 3rd floor thereon, stark contrast to the neon lighted signboards below. But I guess most HK buildings look like that.

We've got the bestest deal in HK! But wait till you check out THIS SITE!

"While Chungking Mansions is designated for residential use, the building includes a wide variety of commercial establishments.

Chungking Mansions contains the largest number of guesthouses in Hong Kong in one building, with 1980 rooms in total. Since it offers some of the cheapest rates in town, it has become a legendary haunt for backpackers and budget travellers."

Sounded good?

Then how about these?

"The age of the building, the diverse ownership, and management structure are the cause of the building's reputation for being a fire trap. Unsanitary conditions, security, ancient electrical wiring and blocked staircases all contribute to the hazards. On 21 February 1988, a fire broke out in the building. A Danish tourist who was trapped inside was killed. The fire in this building, as well as a blaze in a similar building provoked a review of rules and regulations concerning public safety.

In 1993, the power and water supply of this building was suspended for 10 days owing to the explosion of the power supply room. This event made the owners and residents there no longer able to ignore the poor maintenance inside the building. Sushila Pandey, a 37-year-old Indian tourist was killed in the building by her Sri Lankan partner Attanayake Wasala Dangamuwa, 54.

It is also known to be a centre of drugs, and a refuge for petty criminals, scammers, and illegal immigrants. "

And after telling us all of these, the site tries to redeem itself with the closing paragraph...that isn't all too convincing after all..

"With this lively mix of guest workers, mainlanders, local Chinese, tourists and backpackers, the Chungking neighbourhood is one of the most culturally diverse locations in Hong Kong. Chungking Mansions was elected as the "Best Example of Globalization in Action" by TIME Magazine in its annual feature "The Best of Asia", although racial tensions are known to boil over occasionally."

HMMMM Sounds like a pretty dangerous place to stay in, no late nights and in big groups. Or maybe we should just change to a new place altogether.