The Monster Building of Hong Kong - An Urban Photographer's Paradise
Quarry Bay | Hong Kong
The Yick Cheong Building, also known as the "Monster Building," is one of the most impressive and visually striking residential complexes in Hong Kong, making it a must-go-to spot for architecture and urban photographers.
Copy & Photography by Thomas Milton - Published on 15 Oct 25
The Yick Cheong Building, also known as the "Monster Building," is one of the most impressive and visually striking residential complexes in Hong Kong, making it a must-go-to spot for architecture and urban photographers.
The Monster Building is located in Quarry Bay, on the eastern side of Hong Kong Island. This area is famous for its dense, almost surreal architecture that perfectly captures the city's urban intensity.
What is impressive is that walking through Kings Road, you can view the building—there are pathways and viewing points great for photography—but the external views don't give a sense of the enormous size and density of the building until you enter the central patio canyon and have almost a 360° view of the enclosure of small apartments nestled together. Then you note the massive cluster of stacked apartment units, with hundreds of small flats crammed together in towering blocks.
The complex has an ecosystem of shops, services, restaurants, locals, and tourists mingling on the ground floor and patio—worth exploring for additional photo opportunities.
The central courtyard creates an almost claustrophobic canyon effect, with walls of apartments rising on all sides and a small rectangle of sky above.
The buildings are arranged in a tight E-shaped formation, creating narrow internal courtyards full of corridors and light wells.
The exterior façades are a made of of balconies, air-conditioning units, and laundry racks, giving the building a chaotic yet mesmerizing appearance
Photography Gear
Body Sony A7IV
Lens Gmaster 28-70mm f/2.0 &Gmaster 14mm f/1.8
Dji Pocket 3
“I visited the Monster Building twice on this trip to Hong Kong, but I missed capturing it at night—that shot is on my wishlist for next time.”
