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All Hong Kong Lai Tak Tsuen Estate

Lai Tak Tsuen Estate

Despite being built 50 years ago, this housing estate's unconventional design gives it a futuristic, sci-fi aesthetic.

Hong Kong

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Rings   Jen Son
Lai Tak Tsuen estate   1841Hongkong
Lai Tak Tsuen   OO1Roy
View of the city   inmediahk
Bicylindrical towers   CHi PSLAI aomma
Inner atrium looking up   Kevin Ho
Triangular staircase   Debbs.
Roof and upper floors   Debbs.
View downwards   https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1609817
View upwards   OO1Roy
Building interior   Sean Em / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Built in 1975, Lai Tak Tsuen was one of Hong Kong's first public housing developments. Spread across the estate's tower blocks are 2600 individual dwellings, housing approximately 11,000 residents.

Located on a hillside, the estate's most distinguishing features are the two bicylindrical towers, uniquely shaped amongst Hong Kong's public housing estates. Each cylindrical tower has a central, circular atrium that is open air, extending unobstructed from ground level to the top of the building. This creates an optical illusion-like effect from virtually any level of the tower. In addition, the unusual angles of its corridors, the triangular staircases and views over the city, add further to the towers futuristic appearance.

Lai Tak Tsuen featured in the 2017 live-action adaption of the popular Japanese media series 'Ghost in the Shell', with even Hollywood affirming the long held notion that the estate resembles something out of sci-fi film.

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Know Before You Go

Lai Tak Tsuen is served by two green minibus routes, both departing from Causeway Bay. The 25 minibus from Paterson Street to Braemar Hill passes by the estate, while the 21A from Lan Fong Road terminates at the estate itself.

Bus routes 23B, 25A, 26, 41A, 81 and 108, all stop at Tak Chuen Lau Lai Tak Tsuen bus stop across from the estate.

Once inside, please be mindful that it is a residential building. Be respectful of the building's residents by trying to keep noise to a minimum.

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Sean Em

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July 13, 2026

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Sources
  • https://www.hkhs.com/en/housing_archive/id/22
  • https://www.lomography.com/magazine/35676-26069
  • https://fpf.ccidahk.gov.hk/en/location/detail.php?id=267
  • https://www.calloftheworld.com/hong-kong/visiting-the-lai-tak-tsuen-cylindrical-building-hong-kong/
Lai Tak Tsuen Estate
2號 Lai Tak Tsuen Rd
Hong Kong
22.27754, 114.194676
Visit Website

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