Since its release last year, the film The Siege of Kowloon Walled City (English: Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In) has continued to spark conversations, raking in over 100 million HKD at the box office and securing an impressive nine awards at the Hong Kong Film Awards. This once again puts this No man’s land on the international stage—from the glitz of the Cannes Film Festival to breaking the 100 million yen mark in Japan, it has rightfully claimed a total of The 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards major awards, making it the undeniable big winner.
The buzz around movies shows no sign of slowing down, reigniting people’s interest and nostalgia for the Kowloon Walled City. From the history and evolution of the Walled City to the personal stories of its residents, each aspect has become a hot topic of discussion. The box office success and positive reviews serve as a testament to the public’s love for The Siege of Kowloon Walled City; the government has also preserved certain film locations from The Siege of Kowloon Walled City for tourists to snap photos. Following exhibitions at the AIRSIDE malls in Hong Kong International Airport and the old Kai Tak Airport, the Walled City has returned to its historical site—Kowloon Walled City Park. This unprecedented exhibition, featuring stunningly recreated physical scenes, has been extended for three more years, allowing audiences to experience this legendary place up close and personal, transporting them back to the labyrinthine life of the Walled City in the 1980s.
From a lavish lifestyle to a designated historical site, the legend of Kowloon Walled City comes alive once again in a film scene exhibition. Let’s take a moment to revisit the past and present of this remarkable place!
After a century of war and turmoil,
it has transformed from a battlefield coveted by warriors to a picturesque garden in Jiangnan.
Kowloon Walled City Park is located at the intersection of Tung Tau Tsuen Road and Tung Cheng Road, covering an area of 3.1 hectares. It is a Chinese-style Jiangnan garden park, redeveloped from the site known as Kowloon Walled City, referred to as No man’s land.
As one of the most legendary landmarks in Hong Kong’s history, those densely packed and chaotic buildings have drawn numerous photographers from around the world to capture their essence, leaving behind countless stories steeped in past and present, filled with ups and downs. From the original military defense fortress to the modern-day crowded slum areas, they hold the life memories of countless individuals and reflect a poignant microcosm of social change.
Initially, Kowloon Walled City was established during the Qing Dynasty as a military stronghold to defend against external enemies. Its prime geographical location, flanked by the sea on three sides and divided into five administrative zones, makes it a place rich in historical significance, with roots tracing back to the Northern Song Dynasty. This site, which once belonged to Guan Fu Zhai that managed the salt pans, also witnessed the Southern Song royalty seeking refuge, the Qing Dynasty’s coastal defense initiatives, and a tumultuous power shift following the Opium Wars. By 1898, despite the signing of Expansion of Hong Kong Boundary Ordinance, the Walled City nominally remained under Qing control, but actual authority was seized by the British in 1899 after Qing officials withdrew, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the city’s history.
As time progressed, its defensive function gradually faded away, replaced by a unique community existing in a state of anarchy. Since the mid-20th century, the walled city has been renowned for its incredibly high architectural density, narrow alleyways, and self-sufficient systems, evolving into an autonomous space of Beyond the law, showcasing the limits of human survival and self-governance.
By December 1984, after nearly a century, the governments of China and the UK finally started addressing the issue of Kowloon City. They decided to dismantle this vertical maze, which once boasted a staggering population density of 300,000 people per hectare, in two phases between 1987 and 1992, relocating residents to places like Kwun Tong’s Choi Ha Estate. By April 1994, when the demolition was completed, the British Hong Kong government resolved to transform the site into a park. This decision was influenced by the site’s proximity to the Kai Tak Airport runway, making residential development unsuitable, along with the densely populated Kowloon City area that lacked sufficient recreational facilities.
The park was officially opened on December 22, 1995, by then-Governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten. It is divided into nine zones (including The yamen captures the essence of bygone eras., Namnmen Nostalgia, Lions Peeking Garden – Yao Shan Lou, Chess Arena: A Playground for Strategic Play, Zodiac Shadows – Children’s Playground, A Unique Charm of Eight Paths, Return to the Jade Boundary Pavilion, and Four Seasons’ Fragrance – Guangyin Court). The design retains some historical relics of the village, such as two granite stone plaques unearthed at the southern gate of the village, remnants of the city wall foundation, and the foundation of two walls at the southeast gates. Furthermore, the former official manor, which initially had three courtyards and four wings, has been restored and rebuilt to serve as an exhibition hall, displaying stone tablets and historical images related to the village’s history, making it a significant vessel of the village’s memory.
(Image sourced from the internet)
The story of Kowloon Walled City is not just a microcosm of Hong Kong; it’s a captivating chapter in the global narrative of urbanization and has become a treasure trove for artists, writers, comic creators, and filmmakers alike. Though the Walled City has been dismantled, its cultural memory still lingers in Kowloon Walled City Park—where remnants of history are preserved, and exhibitions and simulations recreate the daily life of the city, allowing visitors to experience the former splendor and unique charm.
The Largest Movie Set Exhibition Ever
A Comprehensive Journey Through the Kowloon Walled City, Fully Restoring Its Unique Character
The upgraded film exhibition features three exciting highlights: an immersive cinematic experience, five newly added photo spots, and surprise easter eggs. Additionally, there’s a new area for movie-themed merchandise stalls, offering everything from classic snacks and nostalgic toys to exclusive film collectibles.
The film scene exhibition has outgrown previous similar events, showcasing the creativity and exquisite craftsmanship of Hong Kong’s film art workers. It features a complete reconstruction of classic scenes from The Siege of Kowloon Walled City, including: Seven Records Ice House, Longcheng Hair Salon, Dental clinic, Convenience store, Chronic Pain and Injury Clinic, Fish Ball Factory, the narrow alley street of Tailoring shop, Repair Shop, Well, and Plastic bottle factory. Additionally, a new Urban Fortress: Shadows and Light on the Rooftop has been added to allow visitors to experience firsthand the maze-like life under the roar of aircraft in the walled city.
The exhibition replicates the various details of the walled city with remarkable accuracy. It features a large traditional floral banner, hand-painted at the entrance, and incorporates a design for Kowloon City Walled City Iron Gate that references the iron gate aesthetic of 1980s Hong Kong buildings. Some of the floor tiles are even reclaimed from old structures, reflecting the design characteristics of that era. As the exhibition’s curator stated, these details aim to allow visitors to genuinely experience the unique atmosphere and way of life of the walled city.
New Scene Reveal
Exploring the Day and Night of the Walled City
Among them, the most captivating addition is the new scene — Urban Fortress: Shadows and Light on the Rooftop, featuring a massive projection screen that showcases the day and night transformations of Kowloon Walled City, accompanied by special sound effects that allow visitors to experience the deafening sound waves felt by the residents of Kowloon when planes flew overhead. Here, tourists are not just observing the walled city, but are fully immersing themselves in Feel the vibe the essence of the city.
Recently, the three main stars of The Siege of Kowloon Walled City, Hu Zitong, Zhang Wenjie, and Wu Yunlong, attended the opening ceremony and expressed high praise for the exhibition. Zhang Wenjie, who visited Kowloon Walled City Park for the first time, particularly lauded the comfortable atmosphere of the exhibition, even stating Definitely worth a visit and a great way to pass the time.. Wu Yunlong shared that his favorite part was Urban Fortress: Shadows and Light on the Rooftop, as the large screen inside displayed footage of airplanes taking off and landing, making him feel as though he had stepped back into that bygone era. Meanwhile, Hu Zitong emphasized that the exhibition successfully created a City Village Flooding Removal experience — The most important thing is to carry the spirit of Hong Kong out into the world..
Notably, on the opening day of the exhibition, one of the cast members, Lin Feng, revealed in an interview that the sequel to Fortress will start filming in 2026, leaving fans eagerly anticipating its release. Kowloon City Fortress Light and Shadow Tour is not just a tribute to a successful film; it also cherishes and preserves Hong Kong’s unique history and urban memories, recreating that distinctive era of glamour infused with a strong sense of humanity in what was once a lawless land.
Kowloon City Fortress Light and Shadow Tour
Date: From May 24, 2025, for a duration of three years
Time: From May to August 2025 (daily from 9 AM to 7 PM) | After September 2025 (daily from 9 AM to 6 PM) Location: Kowloon City, Hong Kong, at the intersection of Tung Tau Tsuen Road and Tung Ching Road, Kowloon Walled City Park Yamen
* Free admission