Exploring Kowloon Walled City in an Afternoon - Vlog (1991) by Suenn Ho

[@tupacole]

It's unbelievable this footage exists. Please, never delete this!

[@Coleman_H]

Luckily those police didn't steal the tape! 4:32

[@rake483]

Download it! Many videos get deleted on KZbin.

[@wiktorszymczak4760]

Fuck it it's 1 am I'm downloading this now​@@rake483

[@tccandler]

This is absolutely amazing... Some of the only clear footage from inside this extraordinary place.

[@rmzang]

😂 You must be 18-23 years of age .. 1991 was NOT long ago

[@kanadashyuugo873]

About 5-6 years back I scoured the internet for this. EVERYWHERE everyone concluded no such thing existed or could've existed. Wow, just wow.

[@noahboat580]

Well I'm glad you found it now,

[@2soupy4u]

Well I’m angry you found it now,

[@AidenRiano]

@@2soupy4uwell why u angry it’s rare footage

[@2soupy4u]

@@AidenRianocuz the other guys happy

[@Koen75NL]

@@2soupy4u I know.. it just doesn't sit well

[@bunnyfreakz]

I born on this place. I had vague memory or noisy machine, the alley and memory of my grandfather shop. But my family moved out when I was three years old. This video bring me back.

[@WildanKhatami23]

say on god

[@pastapastel910]

fr fr?

[@richardgallagher9795]

sure

[@golubhimself]

Strange how I got this recommended 33, years later on the same day

[@bgtcsjm]

Lol I just realized that

[@femhur8361]

Same here

[@realdeal9177]

Me too

[@OrangeYTT]

Awesome seeing some new footage from the walled city!

[@tccandler]

This is absolutely amazing... Some of the only clear footage from inside this extraordinary place.

[@Flat_Earth_Sophia]

What are you talking about? This video is anything, but clear!

[@tccandler]

@@Flat_Earth_Sophia Find better!

[@Flat_Earth_Sophia]

@@tccandler Already have. Plenty.

[@tccandler]

@@Flat_Earth_Sophia You cannot even link one -- so that is a lie. Nice try.

[@Tensho_C]

​@@Flat_Earth_Sophiabro's yapping

[@noahboat580]

So this has to be one of the only recordings of this urban anomaly? You always see the walled city in recreations, but never with VHS footage. Its amazing how theres factory production in this place, its truly a walled city

[@rafiki_9562]

The movie bloodsport has some good footage

[@woepriest]

Chase scene in 'Life is cheap, but toilet paper is expensive' have recordings of the inside and roof top.

[@ajaxplay8]

There is a documentary made by an Austrian Journalist that has lots of footage. It is here on KZbin under the name "Kowloon Walled City Documentary (English Subtitles)". The audio is in German, but the subtitles are well translated by hand.

[@FriedRice3519]

Hearing abt this city, it was made to sound like the place was some urban legend with the curse of Ra or smthn. They all seem pretty chill and cozy ngl lol

[@cosmosisrose]

humans make do wherever we live, I think. even in the most difficult environments to live in I’m sure you’ll find some people content with what they have

[@nikitahichoii482]

It looks like any other poor neighborhood in the world tbh, reminds me of my grandmothers neighborhood in Monterrey, Nuevo León, just you know, if it were a bunch of mushed skyscrapers

[@sith6375]

@@SxGaming3390 it was an overexaggeration but he meant that the way it was portrayed was "hell-like"

[@kyvao]

Old Hong Kong, even in the areas outsiders deem a dystopian, is a beautiful, intimate place many call home. As a Hongkonger myself, I really love this footage, not just for the nostalgia it evokes, but also for the way it reflects our rich cultural heritage :))

[@Reppo80085]

Nothing about here is culturayand heritage....

[@Flat_Earth_Sophia]

Rats, electric shock, drugs, human trafficking, murder. All so beautiful! What are you, Albanian?

[@artouditou0818]

​@@Reppo80085 I don't agree with you, its an interesting piece of history

[@kenzou84]

​@@Reppo80085 some of Ghost in the shell anime urban architecture got their inspiration from kowloon walled city, the style passed down to recent video games called cyberpunk2077, it became an iconic style of a slum jn dystopian future, like it or not, kowloon walled city cemented itself in pop culture.

[@dennettshane1929]

have you ever been forced to work one of these factory jobs or are you a trust fund baby?

[@rake483]

05:26 "What can you do when the rent is so expensive?" This is so weird. I had the same conversation a few months ago. I have to move soon ... 33 years ago, people had the same problems in big cities. I wonder what happend to the man.

[@Elcore]

Don't fear. Dude is a Chinese businessman; they are indestructible. As for your situation, I hope you are also a Chinese businessman and/or have found a cheaper place to live/work.

[@accountrandomnumber182]

Tardigrade of the economy

[@Mukyuify]

what's so weird about that? even in past people struggled with money. you really thought that every person was rich in the past? 😂😂😂

[@demianortega1398]

​@@Mukyuify Actually, they are experiencing an odd feeling because the almost exact situation they are living, happened to someone in this video. It's just an odd feeling of realizing you're part of the wheel of time. That's what they mean, not that they didn't know economic hardship existed in the past.

[@TheActualDP]

it's weird that it was hard to run a hair salon in hong kong in 1991 because of rent. would be less surprising nowdays

[@jess.hawkins]

Much gratitude for Suenn Ho for having the presence of mind to film this for posterity! It truly is a fascinating place with a fascinating history!

[@xaviert.123]

This feels like one of those abstract indie games where humans have had to move into massive underground cities that are tightly packed because of some supernatural threat in the sky.

[@fridericusrex9812]

Metro 2033

[@thisreplywillbeuselessbuth9879]

Nerd

[@xaviert.123]

@@thisreplywillbeuselessbuth9879 Yes.

[@DarthVader3DS]

evangelion type shi

[@SmokyOle]

Kowloon is one of the most underrated places in the world. They could definitely make games, movies, TV shows about this place it has that vibe that it could be the location of a top TV show and also a top video game at the same time. Especially pre-social media and technology kowloon.

[@beal5328]

It was a world in itself. I can't believe that I'd never heard of it growing up in HK, right in kowloon too. I learned about it years after as a adult. The people in the video are the kind of hong kongers I recall from my childhood. The friendly banter, the bluntness. I can feel that sense of familiarity and community through this incredible time capsule and I am there right back in my hometown 30 years ago.

[@alphanumeric6582]

Fellas, time to find that hour long Japanse recording

[@darkjanggo]

can you give more info?

[@basedmod2139]

More info

[@simplyalonso]

​@@darkjanggo2:52

[@ExZeMIP]

It could be this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKDCp4Rue86En9k

[@fz7091]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKDCp4Rue86En9ksi=0M6jCPNrrQxMCq1Y

[@SymphonyMusic-b1x]

At 2:40, “do you mind if i film some video footage”… even back then where there were no platform to showcase this kind of videos anywhere, basic courtesy existed

[@mateustree]

This the real Cyberpunk

[@nathanventura548]

Considering it's 1991, more like cassette-punk.

[@MR_LoreYT]

Not really. The modern china is more of a cyberpunk honestly that only it hasnt gotten big yet but in 2090 chinese cities are😂 man i cant even imagine if it looks like this today imagine 50-90 years from now

[@nathanventura548]

@@MR_LoreYT Uhhh okay

[@MR_LoreYT]

@@nathanventura548 js saying no problem

[@Flat_Earth_Sophia]

No it is not.

[@misterkefir]

Is this, by some cosmic chance, availible somewhere without the cuts? We need to preserve every existing video and photo of this place that still exists, at all cost. An one-of-a-kind unique piece of architectural and social history.

[@katboi3666]

What's wild to me is how this was filmed around 2pm but its pitch-black inside, the sunlight rly didnt reach there... (apart from the old well at the end)

[@Kloiyd]

2:52 That means more footage exists somewhere out there.

[@iamnoone21]

Wow, my dad came here as a curious tourist just months after this was filmed, and his HongKonger uncle called him a reckless fool for sightseeing there when he found out. So cool to see p much exactly what he would've seen, 30+ years ago. This place became so notorious, but it's interesting to see and remember that between the scary dark corridors were just real, normal people living, working, and raising kids

[@theslimyitalian]

I found out about the walled city just last week, and now this video appears. Thank you algorithm!

[@BeeHash]

I know this is seen as a hellish existence, but there is something weirdly cozy about it.

[@TheEroticGenie]

I know right??? It just seems so cozy to me too, I'm fascinated by this place.

[@zes7215]

wrg,no such thing as hx or betx or etc

[@solomonshields443]

Generations of families had been raised there, residents talk about a sense of community and have mostly fond memories of their time there

[@athandog]

It's because it's so out of our reality. So out of our time. This was over 30 years ago in a city with very different conditions and cultures. It's easier to imagine ourselves in those situations when we view them from such a distance. I lived in student housing in the Netherlands where the kitchen (the hangout spot) had no windows. There were open air vents that mice would crawl in and out of, and it constantly stank of mold. The walls separating the rooms were paper thin. Sometimes they were laid with stone and you could see through the gaps into the other room. One time I tried to nail something to the wall and the nail pierced all the way into my neighbour's room. The elevator sometimes didn't work so in my case we would walk 8 floors up and down on some days. We were all depressed and constantly on something. But some of us did form a community together. Most have moved away though.

[@Kabra2012]

Former residents are on record saying essentially the same thing

[@hanzt468]

if u guys want some more old footages of kowloon walled city, yall can look at some of the old hong kong films such as "Lost arm of the Law".

[@saplingAr]

ty

[@sunitafisher4758]

🌸 I’m so excited over this Very sad when it was demolished 1993 This was taken 20th Nov 1991, so very happy to get glimpse into this productive community

[@charles2521]

For sure angloids are sad the slum they created was demolished

[@shellszhine]

This footage was taken when HK was still a British colony.

[@ShallowStrangeness2627]

Omg....... I saved this to watch later yesterday as it was recommended and watched it today..... Yesterday was 20/11/2024 Same day just 33 years later 😳

[@kivaHBRO_04]

Fish eyes lens is perfect to hit a Trey flip

[@AkiZukiLenn]

many hong kong people used to lived on a boat, thats why they are fine staying in a condense place like this

[@ButWhatIfItIs]

Thabk you fqor uploading this. Even bigger thank you to the young lady filming. I live for unique and compelling footage like this.

[@barbarosbozkurt758]

"A japanese TV channel just filmed here" We know what to do!

[@moo645]

found it in another comment kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKDCp4Rue86En9ksi=uEiur75tKVM6t1HT

[@ChaseddiHondo]

I know the idea of Kowloon is objectively grim, but the people there are nonetheless just like people outside the city if not kinder. In this, I feel proud of humanity

[@ExtinctionRise]

I have seen this city portrayed in movies and shows. It has a kind of mystic status to me.

[@_Just_Another_Guy]

Well it's definitely a legend now because the Kowloon Walled City was demolished in 1993. The only records of it existing are from random video clips like this and photos. Now it's just a memory of a city that once was.

[@thecaucasian86]

Speechless let you, realizing it's been almost thirty years since Kowloon walled city was demolished and there's thousands out there in Hong Kong still living in Cage Homes and in endless skyscraper like neighborhoods.

[@smoovkilla]

SO FASCINATING. honestly cant believe this place ever existed

[@opcomment]

Thank you for sharing this rare footage

[@Arkhestra]

I'm amazed a police team was able to respond and find her so quickly, assuming this is all the same day, I'd imagine the police would care little for such a crowded and untamable block.

[@SamianJumaat-l3k]

It's funny how i was recommended this video 6 days after this video was taped back in 1991.

[@RemnantCult]

Very kind of them to let her film. Little did they know, she was capturing historic footage.

[@wolf-man-bear-pig-torque]

The Cantonese sounds much more crisp and lively than many of the Hong Kongers speak today which is becoming more mono-tonal and less energetic.

[@Cantonesecubanalee]

I think my dad an uncle are in this!!!!I was born after the city closed..buthis is so bizarre really seeing things my family always described .

[@novostranger]

This woman was recording history

[@pompey333]

The people seemed to be very kind and friendly all things considered.

[@MoluskToeCheese]

Immortalize this for all generations to see ❤ Seriously, Thanks for sharing Absolutely beautiful

[@kyvao]

The Japanese documentary: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKDCp4Rue86En9ksi=alqKz89nVZHV4hYh

[@NPJGlobal]

Thank you!!

[@vivvpprof]

This should be the pinned comment! 👍👍

[@select_input]

Thank you!

[@detectiveagentmichaelscarn4774]

thank fucking much you~!

[@crisspycritic]

Thank you.

[@Istrianprincess]

wow this girl is brave 😱

[@phoenixswanson1561]

I saw, remember the shanty towns near the Marco Polo hotel? They were no safer. Tourists think they're such tough-guy bigshots in New Dehli. Come to 1990 Kowloon.

[@ecoro_]

They should have kept that hellhole. What a national treasure.

[@crispyyrosee]

Oh wow, footage of a hair salon!!! So wild to see all these clips

[@ShawnMcClurg]

Wow this is awesome! I’ve heard stories and played that multiplayer map from Call of Duty: Black Ops, but finding video of Kowloon is amazing!

[@HokageHustle88]

4:50 Thats tornado goh from kowloon walled in movie

[@jordanpaulchan]

Checked out the remnants of the Kowloon walled city last year, they had some videos at the exhibit on life within the walls, but nothing like this! Really cool to see what life used to be here.

[@tommarnt]

i understood everything she said lol (i grew up speaking cantonese)

[@DADDYDaddy-l9r]

Yes i totally agree this footage is real and no edit no ai its good footage great job!!!!!

[@BOMNN]

Its 13:45 and it seemed to be 9pm

[@dragonmagoz]

This seems like a dream's memory palace

[@InkDropFalls]

the documentary that Japanese filmed ..WHERE IS IT please

[@LMS2019]

that comment needs to be fixed! INTERNET DO YOUR THING

[@埊]

is is really from Osaca?

[@softcookieconsumer]

It’s actually in China and they’re speaking Cantonese (I know because I can understand what they’re saying 😭)

[@pptenshi3900]

@@softcookieconsumer they’re talking about a Japanese documentary about the area, which is obvs in hong kong

[@moo645]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKDCp4Rue86En9ksi=uEiur75tKVM6t1HT

[@MarkusGeheim]

A very rare insight to a closed eco-system, with it's own rules.

[@yieldsfalsehood8863]

seems so nice and clean for what it is...

[@en1265]

This is oddly nostalic i dont know whats wrong with me...

[@zaksimkiv1512]

The same thing 😮

[@Coleman_H]

Am I only one who randomly thinks about the walled city and gets nostalgic feelings? Born and raised in Florida USA for further confusion lol

[@PerceptionVsReality333]

​@@Coleman_H I feel the same way & I'm born/raised in northern CA.

[@dannysha6458]

It’s that 90s-early 2000ish nostalgia.(I’m 28). Reminds of some old Japanese anime movie like spirited away or akira

[@apophisstr6719]

There were quite a lot of anime, movies, and other forms of medias took heavy inspirations, be it the concept or aesthetic, from the Wall city

[@d15z1sux]

Would be nice to have a video game with the walled city in it. I think some older games feature it but would be nice to have a modern game with modern graphics.

[@Anom-vd4kn]

I think about this every day. But then I think how extensive the development would be checking every nook and cranny to make sure everything is in good standing.

[@d15z1sux]

@@Anom-vd4kn yes very true, however I have seen areas in games that seem to have been inspired by the walled city.

[@Johnsbrggnfndm]

Stray I heard is based off of it, its not wholly accurate though

[@okayhellohihowyadoin]

I think it could make for a brilliant horror game. Maybe you’re part of a small team in charge of removing the last people from the city before it’s demolished. Infinite dark abandoned buildings interconnected into each other. Would feel so suffocating.

[@sppychubs]

There's actually a horror game based on it and it's called "Welcome to Kowloon". I haven't played it myself but I've watched someone play it and it really incorporated the tight and dark spaces in Kowloon. Pretty scary game from what I watched.

[@Kloiyd]

5:15 I can't believe store owners got no compensation

[@himssendol6512]

I miss the old HK. I was only there for 3 years but loved HK. Everything from the shiny malls of Central to the dirty back alleys with flying cockroaches. Living was expensive and cheap at the same time. Great food.

[@hankbarcelona7314]

"Expensive and cheap at the same time" Which parts were expensive and which parts were cheap?

[@rowlz2507]

@@hankbarcelona7314rent is insane, but travel is amazing on the minibus and MTR, and you can get great meals for cheap at local places

[@trishp1565]

@@hankbarcelona7314born & raised hongkonger here 😊 Hong Kong’s housing is the most expensive in the world. But low income tax, no sales tax , cheap healthcare, cheap food & excellent infrastructure make Hong Kong a wonderland.

[@hankbarcelona7314]

@trishp1565 Thank you!

[@mwugii]

I started reading Kowloon Generic Romance. Then this showed up in my recommendations

[@ami-el7dg]

How is it so far?

[@capcompass9298]

Love her HK_English accent.

[@TheWalkingMice]

This is a masterpiece

[@hkrelax]

Got this video recommendation just after I finished playing Slitterhead lol

[@Mirstrip]

Very in depth look into life in Kowloon thanks😊

[@classagitator]

Reminds me of the show Silo

[@panzfaust9812]

Hard to imagine till you see it

[@iccysxrs]

were those hong kong police? i thought the walled city didnt have much police presence outside of raids..

[@jl_mozart3292]

Based on the footage, there seems to be light on the side of the frame and it looks more like an every day street of Hong Kong so I assume that that’s just another clip that slipped in for some reason

[@nikow2614]

kowloon walled city is an anarchy place, so basically no police, or sometimes a short period of police operations

[@cracklelacquer5602]

they're at near-ground/ground level where most of it consists of shops and workshops as seen in the video, there are some police presence obviously

[@kyohiology4058]

@@cracklelacquer5602 And also at the very entrance

[@kevinnaylor2500]

Wow this is rare, always keep this around. Will be worth something one day I’m sure

[@jeffd830-i8q]

finally some legit footage instead of some muppet talking about it

[@ROWANOID]

Wow 2 years ago I was trying to look for footage of the city but I couldn’t find any

[@flamantemigrana]

Actual history, wow!

[@fingerthatsmells]

Is this what inspired Kane & Lynch Dog Days? Cause it looks almost identical, even down to the kind of camera it was shot on.

[@YouTubeOfficial.]

Me recordó a un canal con muchos videos viejos pero sin comentarios. No sé que le habrá pasado

[@Nwordscissorhands1738]

Dang those guys really have been playing chess for decades

[@MarkyFormula1]

This is wonderful documentation ❤

[@FrenchGlobetrotter]

precious video 👍🏻

[@bananaflavouredtea8044]

I think a big difference between China and most Westernised cultures is the subcultures. Westernised cultures have adopted a postmodernist approach where many different people can interpret meanings differently. For instance a gamer in the West might identity themselves as part of a subgroup in society that is different from the mainstream society. These subgroups form there own culture and how they interpret the world around them. As a result of all these subcultures in society, you find many different perspectives online and viewpoints of the world and meaning has moved from one just one to many (also called plurality). Before the industrial age in the West, the majority of the books people read, the stories they were told, and the paintings they saw etc were all based on religion. This meant that when you asked the question 'What is a good person?' most will tell you a narrative based on religion such as a person that doesn't commit adultery or sin and so on. Modernism came into force during the industrial age where video and photos started to become a thing. But these photos and videos portrayed the world "as it is" without any manipulation, tainted narratives, or even anything unrealistic. Postmodernism then is what philosophers call the present state. Technology has made the world come closer with many different cultures and in turn has altered what people think is morally right and wrong and what it means to be a good citizen. You have many subcultures that haven't existed before such as gamers, sci-fi movie goers, Swifties, Alpha males, Andrew Tate, Joe Rogan etc. With all that in mind, I think China hasn't openly progressed to Postmodernism like the rest of the world and is actively fighting it off or at least embracing it to a small extent. China is becoming more like 'pre-Modernism' in the West mixed with modernism where all the media pushed a single message and narrative on interpreting the world. All school books, tv dramas, movies and so on all portray a particular defined set of virtues and values just like religion did in the West. This is what the Chinese state appears to be actively chasing in regards to culture. China has a lot of different cultures but they share a lot in common in reagards to values and virtues. One could say a lot more in common than differences. You aren't going to find cultures in China actively promoting narratives such as 'a good person would fight for their rights' over 'a good person will support the government'.

[@fire.smok3]

Thats an interesting perspective. What makes you come to this conclusion, are you of Chinese background, or just have an interest in the culture?

[@austingarst]

Incredible footage. They were living in an analog Cyberpunk Dystopia.

[@machineheadslump]

Lmao you're so cringe

[@phoenixswanson1561]

Getting ready for Prue and Cathy's trip over..

[@AnimeLingri]

Cyberfunk vibe ❤

[@jeremywhite92]

I didn't realize the Hong Kong Police patrolled the Walled City -- it technically being Chinese territory, and all.

[@VentiVonOsterreich]

The only proof left of this place existing are photos, video clips, and surviving former residents Please preserve these types of media

[@capcompass9298]

...and the occasional tourist who went through with local friends. 'Twas a journey I'll never forget.

[@maldo239.2]

Thank you for this

[@realdeal9177]

Wow.. i was 1 month old that time huh

[@badgerp-chanqueen7707]

I thinking about my next novel project using this place as setting for my characters, act as their homes and workplaces. And the story would be take place after 3rd world war.

[@wai6732]

完全無法想像入面啲衞生環境有幾差

[@fsvideos-rc]

Coincidently, today is 20/11/2024

[@ItsJoKeZ]

how is there no territory based rpg or horror game of this area?

[@machineheadslump]

Disgusting that's the only place your mind wanders

[@iiraingirlii]

This is awesome

[@hadryan1694]

Já sonhei com esse lugar várias e várias vezes

[@multatuli1]

Anyone ever read "city of darkness" comic back then? 😁

[@ismailabi5988]

its amazed me some how

[@nassoide]

nothing spells out 'china in the 90s' like letting complete strangers near dangerous heavy machinery

[@davidcamel4627]

hidden gem

[@charleshines3378]

This is amazing

[@Tomothy-e3b]

This must be like what a hive city from warhammer 40k is like

[@Douglas2140]

post the uncut version bruh