Art Enchants From The Ground Up

As you stroll around Hong Kong, glancing beneath your feet is probably not what comes naturally to mind. After all, there is so much to see at eye-level and above.

The Drainage Services Department (DSD) is doing its best to give residents and visitors more reason to look down, however. Its series of more than 200 limited edition manhole covers at 11 selected locations, each bearing a coloured design representing a scenic Hong Kong landmark, is aimed at beautifying the city’s infrastructure and enchanting pedestrians.

One of the designs captures the spirit of Tai O with an intricate depiction of stilt houses, small boats, and the daily lives of fishermen. It even references local specialities such as shrimp paste and salted fish.

DSD Engineer Vincent Wan explained: “These covers unveil the scenic view from Tai Chung Bridge, capturing the essence of Tai O’s tranquil yet bustling life.”

Vibrant heritage

Other themed manhole covers in the series portray the renowned “wishing trees” of Lam Tsuen. DSD Engineer Daniel Chan said these covers highlight Lam Tsuen’s auspicious banyan trees, which are adorned with wishing placards that symbolise hope and prosperity for both locals and visitors alike.

The covers depicting Lei Yue Mun meanwhile offer vistas of mountains, water, and the lively echoes of fishing boats and nostalgic ferries, whilst also giving a nod to the DSD’s efforts to enhance water quality. The archway and lighthouse, quintessential landmarks, pay homage to the area’s rich cultural heritage.

There is more to the covers than just artistic merit, however. They are designed to be functional as well as aesthetically pleasing, and the patterns must maintain slip-resistance and keep keyholes unobstructed. They also have to be durable against Hong Kong’s varied weather conditions, and to that end the DSD has used a special paint that can withstand sun and rain, ensuring these artworks will remain vibrant.

Outdoor canvas

In a true celebration of community spirit, the DSD is inviting residents to contribute to this treasury of urban art by holding a manhole cover design competition marking its 35th anniversary. Winning entries may be transformed into actual manhole covers, giving citizens the chance to leave their mark on the cityscape.