New augmented reality tourism app gives users a panoramic view of Hong Kong’s past

The City in Time project, launched recently by the Tourism Commission, features 360-degree historical panoramas created from heritage photos and illustrations by young Hong Kong artists

In the Statue Square location, for instance, a black-and-white panorama shows the third iteration of HSBC’s headquarters, torn down in 1978, as well as the Queen’s Building, a 19th-century neoclassical structure named after Queen Victoria

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The Tourism Commission’s City in Time app offers users views of Hong Kong’s past. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 4:14pm, 27 Mar 2021Updated: 5:11pm, 27 Mar 2021

A new tourism project featuring augmented reality enables smartphone users to enjoy panoramic views of what Hong Kong looked like in the past – part of a bid by officials to bolster the city’s appeal ahead of the much-anticipated return of foreign visitors once the coronavirus pandemic is under control.

The City in Time project, launched recently by the Tourism Commission, features 360-degree historical panoramas created from heritage photos and illustrations by young Hong Kong artists, along with lively animations and special sound effects. The public can download the project’s mobile phone app and scan markers installed at designated locations around town to view the historical sights.

The app is also equipped with a selfie function that allows users to share the experience on social media.

The view of Central offered by the City in Time is very different from the one that greets visitors today. Photo: Felix Wong

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah said the new project was aimed at promoting cultural, creative and smart tourism in Hong Kong in spite of the near-total lack of tourists amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Despite the disruptions to travel as a result of the epidemic, we will continue to strengthen the appeal of Hong Kong’s attractions to prepare for the return of visitors by showcasing the city’s distinctive culture and history,” he said.

Official statistics show that only 4,368 people arrived in the city in January, 99.9 per cent fewer than in the same period the year before, while February saw only 5,495 arrivals, down 97.2 per cent year on year. In 2020, arrivals to the city tumbled by 94 per cent to 3.57 million, a 36-year-low.

To boost local tourism, some operators have launched various virtual products and services, including live-streamed tours.