Rooftop houses are usually found in Hong Kong's old urban areas such as Sham Shui Po, Yau Ma Tei and Kwun Tong. These structures hailing from the 1950s that made room for the influx of immigrants still remain, even though it is illegal to construct additional structures on top of buildings.
Rooftop houses are usually found in Hong Kong's old urban areas such as Sham Shui Po, Yau Ma Tei and Kwun Tong. These structures hailing from the 1950s that made room for the influx of immigrants still remain, even though it is illegal to construct additional structures on top of buildings.
Courtesy Sofie Buch Hoyer
Rooftop houses boast an unrestricted panoramic view of the Hong Kong skyline.
Rooftop houses boast an unrestricted panoramic view of the Hong Kong skyline.
Naomi Ng/CNN
Built on top of an industrial building in Kwun Tong, these rooftop slums are usually built from wood, rusty metal sheets or other flimsy materials.
Built on top of an industrial building in Kwun Tong, these rooftop slums are usually built from wood, rusty metal sheets or other flimsy materials.
Naomi Ng/CNN
The rooftop houses are connected by dimly lit walkways boarded with wooden planks and cluttered with unwanted household items.
The rooftop houses are connected by dimly lit walkways boarded with wooden planks and cluttered with unwanted household items.
Naomi Ng/CNN
Residents keep their doors open in the evening to let light spill out onto the corridors.
Residents keep their doors open in the evening to let light spill out onto the corridors.
Naomi Ng/CNN
Chong, a resident in one of the rooftop dwellings in Kwun Tong, who refused to give his full name, has lived in this 70-square-foot room for 11 years.
Chong, a resident in one of the rooftop dwellings in Kwun Tong, who refused to give his full name, has lived in this 70-square-foot room for 11 years.
Naomi Ng/CNN
Rooftop dweller, Fung's simple kitchen setup outside his flat is next to his toilet.
Rooftop dweller, Fung's simple kitchen setup outside his flat is next to his toilet.
Naomi Ng/CNN
Sze Suk Pui, a migrant who moved from China to Hong Kong three years ago, turns to the light inside the flat to read a free luncheon notice from a church.
Sze Suk Pui, a migrant who moved from China to Hong Kong three years ago, turns to the light inside the flat to read a free luncheon notice from a church.
Naomi Ng/CNN
Joyce Ngan Chau Yee shares a bunk bed with her mother and younger brother in their 236 square-foot flat.
Joyce Ngan Chau Yee shares a bunk bed with her mother and younger brother in their 236 square-foot flat.
Naomi Ng/CNN
This rooftop dwelling in Kwun Tong accommodates around 40 people. Residents often use this open area for gatherings or to air-dry their laundry.
This rooftop dwelling in Kwun Tong accommodates around 40 people. Residents often use this open area for gatherings or to air-dry their laundry.
Naomi Ng/CNN