Each day about 50,000 Hong Kong residents make their daily journey to the office not by car, train, bus, or bicycle, but by escalator. The Central-Mid-Levels Escalator, the longest outdoor escalator system in the world, carries people from the Mid-Levels area down through Soho and into Central.

In the evening, it carries them back up the hill again, though more than a few hop off partway up in Soho for dinner or drinks at one of the many establishments along the escalator's path. Riding alongside with them is a great way to catch a glimpse into life for the relatively well-off Mid-Levels denizens. Or join them in drunken celebration at Lan Kwai Fong, the raucous nightlife area near the bottom.

Be aware that the escalator travels downwards in the morning, and then upwards from 10:30am until it shuts off at midnight. One way or the other, you're in for a lot of stairs.

Getting there

Pedestrian signs lead to the escalator from Central MTR station.