The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s

People around the world often know Hong Kong with skyscrapers or busy shopping areas. Thanks to his miraculous development, Hong Kong has become a promising land for all who want to make a career. However, besides those who are successful and become successful entrepreneurs, there are still many people working day and night hard to pay for the expensive expenses here.

Beneath that glamor, there is a very different Hong Kong, the slums and the poor workers living in the minimum conditions . Below is a picture of one of Hong Kong's largest slums recorded in the 1990s by Canadian photographer Greg Girard that will show a somewhat " dark side " of the thriving city. this.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 1 It is called the city of Kowloon Walled - the most crowded city in the world.

From 1950 to mid 1994, more than 33,000 people lived and worked in a complex of 300 buildings called Kowloon Walled City - the most crowded city in the world. Since it lies between China and Hong Kong, the city has almost no rules and is best known for its opium and organized crime.

In the late 1980s, photographer Greg Girard spent years studying and recording images of the area before it was destroyed. Girard collaborated with another photographer named Lambot to release a book titled " City of Darkness Revisited " (roughly translated: " Visit the city of darkness "). On the Business Insider page, some impressive images appeared in the book.

One piece of information will make many people around the world feel surprised that the population density in Hong Kong in 1985 is 119 times higher than that of New York City, the current US. So getting a inch of land here is even more precious than gold. Besides the villas and high-end apartment buildings for the rich, there are still many " old, slum " houses for poor laborers.

Located in northern Hong Kong, Kowloon Walled City is a densely populated area and is not under any government administration. Originally a military base, it developed into a housing complex with 300 high-rise buildings connected.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 2 Photo source: Bobby Yip / Reuters

After the Second World War, Hong Kong received a large number of immigrants from China, leading to a shortage of housing. So, this is a village that people who occupy public land build up. Some businessmen and landowners in Kowloon built high-rise buildings for business to meet accommodation needs.

By 1986, Kowloon Walled City attracted the attention of photographer Greg Girard. Girard spent the next four years exploring all of the cities in and out of this city, capturing close-ups of everyday life inside that fence wall.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 3 Photo source: Greg Girard

At its peak, there were more than 33,000 people living in the 2.6-hectare city. Therefore, Kowloon Walled is considered one of the most populated places on earth.

For decades, this city is like stacked Lego blocks. " And the end result looks scary, but nobody noticed this? " Girard told Business Insider.

Life in this city is much more stuffy and secretive than people imagine. However, the workers who live in this dilapidated building are still far more fortunate than a large number of poor people currently living in rooms of the same size as 5 square meters.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 4 Photo source: Greg Girard

At night, the instability of this city becomes clear. Crime is rampant and anyone who knows this will not violate the city's fence.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 5 Photo source: Greg Girard

From the 1950s to the 1970s, Kowloon Walled City was under the control of Chinese gangsters. The city is known as a " paradise " for prostitutes, gambling and opium. However, when photographer Girard explored the city in 1987, the city was much safer but parents still told their children never to come here.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 6 Photo source: Greg Girard

Buildings are thoroughly utilized in places where the poor live, such as classrooms and hairdressing salons to become nightclubs and bars.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 7 Photo source: Greg Girard

Wong Cheung Mi is one of many dentists on Walled City.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 8 Photo source: Greg Girard

The city is known as a place for Hong Kong workers to find doctors, especially dentists. Because the price here is cheaper because the doctors cannot be examined anywhere outside this city.

Like many dentists in Walled City, Wong Cheung Mi cannot be examined anywhere other than this city in Hong Kong. It is this arrangement that attracts a large number of workers and working class to visit the city for affordable dental care.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 9 Photo source: Greg Girard

The alleys here are dark and damp. The blocks are stacked on top of each other, almost no sunlight shines on. Girard said: " Even during the day, it's like night ."

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 10 Photo source: Greg Girard

The roof of the apartment complexes is a familiar gathering place for children living here, although this place is not safe.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 11 Photo source: Greg Girard

This grocery store can turn into a children's room or study place after the store is closed.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 12 Photo source: Greg Girard

Hui Tuy Choy opened a noodle factory in 1965. He chose Walled City because the rental price was quite low and did not need a business license. In Hong Kong, a business license must be obtained from the Ministry of Labor, Health and Fire.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 13 Photo source: Greg Girard

Kowloon City is home to the manufacturing facilities of many companies in Hong Kong. One of the most produced products here is fish cakes sold to restaurants around the city.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 14 Photo source: Greg Girard

The legal system in Kowloon Walled isloose, so there are many slaughterhouses.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 15 Photo source: Greg Girard

This rubber factory is operated only by 2 men.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 16 Photo source: Greg Girard

Photography Girard said: " Law enforcement often only interferes with serious crimes, despite rumors that the Hong Kong government always wants to turn a blind eye ."

Workers' quarters are often located in bad locations to reduce costs, or even close to the flight path. The only rule in Kowloon is the height of buildings. Because the airport is so close to Kowloon, the buildings only have a maximum of 13-14 floors.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 17 Photo source: Greg Girard

Walled City brings a sense of closeness to thousands of people living in a community.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 18 Photo source: Greg Girard

According to Girard, Walled City has a village culture because the space is too narrow to live and work. Law Yu Yi - a 90-year-old man - lives with his daughter-in-law in a small apartment on the third floor.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 19 Photo source: Greg Girard

Poor workers only know about the " other side " in Hong Kong day after day.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 20 Photo source: Greg Girard

After the city was destroyed in 1994, a park was built right there. Currently, Kowloon Park is attracting photographers, bird watchers and tourists to relax to admire the beautiful scenery of Hong Kong.

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 21 Photo source: Reuters Photographer

Girard said: " Hong Kong is a surreal place . Kowloon Walled City is one of the surreal mutations, but Hong Kong evolved and Kowloon also evolved. "

The set portrays the life of poor workers in Hong Kong in the 1990s Picture 22 Photo source: Kumar nav / Flickr

In addition, you can learn more about Girard 's pictures and essays in the book " City of Darkness Revisited " (working on "Visiting the City of Darkness ") in collaboration with a photographer Another photo is called Lambot.

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