The Central-Mid-Levels escalator in Hong Kong is the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world.
The whole system is 800 meters long, the vertical climb is 135 meters. Total travel time is 20 minutes, but most people walk while the system moves to shorten the travel time. Due to its vertical climb, the same distance is equivalent to several miles of zigzagging roads if travelled by car. It consists of 20 escalators and 3 moving sidewalks. Daily traffic exceeds 35,000 people. It has been operating since 1993. It cost HK$ 240 million (around US $30 million) to build.
It was opened to the public on October 15, 1994. It plays a very important role in transport linkage in Hong Kong since it links Des Voeux Road, in Central with Conduit Road in the Mid-Levels, passing through narrow streets.
The escalator runs downhill from 6am to 10am and uphill from 10:30am to midnight everyday. Apart from its significance in transport linkage, it is also a tourist spot, with many restaurants, bars, and shops lining its route.
It is managed by the Guardian Property Management Limited.
Hong Kong Island is dominated by steep, hilly terrain, which makes it the home of some rather unusual methods of transport up and down the slopes.
