The Dragon Gates

In Hong Kong, it is not uncommon to see residential high-rises featuring holes through the middle. In a city where every square inch is worth millions of dollars (so to speak), this trend may seem peculiar. Yet, it is deeply rooted in local tradition and superstition.

According to feng shui—which literally translates to “wind and water”—the geography of Hong Kong, located between the sea and steep mountains, creates a unique spiritual ecosystem. Local lore holds that spiritual dragons reside on the city's mountain peaks. Every morning, these dragons must fly from the top of the mountains to Victoria Harbour or the South China Sea to bathe, returning home at nightfall. Blocking their path to and from the sea is believed to bring bad luck, poor health, or economic misfortune to the surrounding community.

As a growing number of skyscrapers started forming a “wall effect” that prevented the dragons from reaching the sea, locals feared it would disrupt the natural flow of the city’s qi. By designing a hole—or dragon gate (龍門)—in the middle of the buildings, architects ensure that the dragons have an unhindered path to the sea, thus bringing luck, health, prosperity, and overall positive energy to the residents and the surrounding area.

In reality, however, these holes serve practical purposes. Because Hong Kong is extremely densely populated, building long blocks of uninterrupted high-rises traps heat and moisture. The holes allow for air ventilation and wind passage, which reduces the wind load during typhoons. In fact, the myth of the dragon gates gained widespread popularity only after architects designed The Repulse Bay complex with a massive hole in its centre.