Step smartly back in time

Have you ever wanted to travel back in time to Hong Kong of the past?

City in Time is a new project that brings Hong Kong’s extraordinary history back to life by transforming smartphones into special augmented reality windows, contrasting 360-degree panoramic images of old Hong Kong with today’s surroundings. The historical images are recreated using heritage photographs and illustrations by local artists.

City in Time can be experienced virtually on its website or in person at various designated locations in Hong Kong using the City in Time mobile app.

Augmented reality markers with a distinctive clock face are placed on red poles at spots around town for you to scan with your smartphone camera and the app. You can then view historic Hong Kong landmarks supplemented by informative descriptions, sound effects and animations to give you a feel for old Hong Kong.

A slider function on the app allows viewers to contrast historical Hong Kong with their present-day surroundings.

The app also features a selfie function that will allow people to share unique experiences with others.

This innovative project launched by the Tourism Commission aims to promote cultural, creative and smart tourism in Hong Kong. “I can now see Hong Kong anew,” says Jeffrey Shaw, the professor who served as project director. “I can actually visualize how it looked at different times in its past, which also means getting to understand and appreciate how Hong Kong people lived here in the past.”

The City in Time app currently features over 25 spots from Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei and Sham Shui Po. Some locations include Statue Square in Central and the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade.

To learn more about the project and other designated locations visit their website: https://www.cityintime.hk/en/

Bernard Charnwut Chan is chairman of Tai Kwun Culture & Arts Co Ltd.

standard@bernardchan.com
Source: Step smartly back in time