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A travel vlogger has shared insights into Hong Kong's Central-Mid-Levels escalator system - the world's longest outdoor escalator at 800 metres, operating since 1993 - but there's a major catch
15:23, Mon, Jan 19, 2026 Updated: 17:22, Mon, Jan 19, 2026
The 800m-long Central–Mid-Levels escalator and walkway system is located in Hong Kong (Image: Getty Images)
A travel vlogger has highlighted the world's longest outdoor escalator system, but warned potential visitors of one significant catch. Collin Abroadcasting provided his audience with a look at the 800m-long Central–Mid-Levels escalator and walkway system, located in Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China.
The system, which consists of walkways, 16 escalators and three travelators, was designed to assist people in traversing the steep terrain of the area's central business district. According to the Hong Kong Transport Department, it facilitated 99,000 journeys daily as of late January 2024. Opening in 1993 at a reported cost of $30 million (£22.4m) and intersecting more than a dozen streets, the Central–Mid-Levels starts at Queen's Road Central, connects to the Central Market Flyover, winds past Central and continues up to Conduit Road.
In Collin's footage, it seems to be all about the "unique perspective" of Hong Kong that the Central–Mid-Levels provides to those utilising this remarkable public transport infrastructure.
Collin explained: "Today, we're out here in Hong Kong, and right now, we're going to this very unique style of public transportation, and what I mean by that is escalator ride that lasts for like 20 to 30 minutes."
Whilst climbing the first staircase leading to the escalators, Collin noted it was "really fun" to experience the system, emphasising the views and how it presented a "unique perspective" of Hong Kong.
He also highlighted that, contrary to its reputation as the world's longest escalator, the system is actually a "huge walkway" rather than a single escalator, before revealing a significant drawback.
The system helps people navigate the steep landscape of the central business district (Image: Getty Images)
Collin explained: "And one thing about this, though, is if you go up, there's no escalator down. So, if you're going up to experience it, prepare to be walking down, and it is a quite a long way, but I think you'll get down faster than you'll get up."
He then showcased the serpentine system's various levels, at one stage drawing attention to a fare-saver machine offering a two-dollar discount, whilst pedestrians bustled past in the background.
During his ascent on the escalator, shops and eateries lined both sides, with crossing points at intersecting streets punctuating the journey.
Reaching the summit, Collin revealed that from this point, visitors would need to embark on a 25-minute walk to reach the tram to Victoria Peak, a must-see destination providing stunning views of Hong Kong.
Collin highlighted how it offered a "unique perspective" of Hong Kong (Image: UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The majority of the escalators feature just one reversible track that switches direction "following the prevailing direction of pedestrian flow during the day", reports CNN.
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Fascinatingly, the Central–Mid-Levels escalator system has also been featured in renowned films; the travelator closest to Hollywood Road appeared in Wong Kar-wai's 1994 movie, Chungking Express.
Comic book enthusiasts might also find it intriguing that it featured in Christopher Nolan's 1998 Batman instalment, The Dark Knight.
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