Kowloon Walled City Archives

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

This Minecraft map that recreates one of history’s most notorious slums made me reconsider what’s important in 3D level design

Kowloon Walled City, established on the remnants of a military fort in British Hong Kong, peaked in 1989 with over 35,000 residents in just six and a half acres, making it the most densely populated place on Earth. The area was characterized by chaotic architecture, interconnected buildings, and narrow alleyways, functioning as a vibrant hub of illegal trading and organized crime despite being classified as a slum. Architect Sluda Builds has recreated Kowloon Walled City in Minecraft, accurately positioning buildings and capturing various architectural styles, but the virtual representation lacks the vibrant life and human experiences that defined the original Walled City.

AppWizard

September 6, 2025

Watch a Timelapse of the Notorious Kowloon Walled City Rebuilt in Minecraft

Kowloon Walled City, located in Hong Kong, was once the most densely populated place on Earth, housing approximately 50,000 residents within 6.5 acres during the 1980s. It originated as a Song Dynasty outpost and evolved into a Qing fort, becoming a refuge for displaced individuals and informal industries due to the lack of government control. The Walled City featured a complex of makeshift high-rises, some reaching 14 stories, interconnected to allow traversal without going outside. It was dismantled in the mid-1990s and now exists only in memory and cultural references. A creator known as Sluda Builds has digitally reconstructed Kowloon Walled City in Minecraft, showcasing its skyline and intricate inner workings.

AppWizard

September 5, 2025

Watch a Timelapse of the Notorious Kowloon Walled City Built to Scale in Minecraft

Kowloon Walled City, located in Hong Kong, was once the densest settlement on Earth, housing approximately 33,000 to 50,000 residents within 2.6 hectares during the 1980s. Originally a military outpost in the Song Dynasty, it evolved into a Qing dynasty fort by 1810 and remained largely undeveloped under British control after the Treaty of Nanking in 1842. By 1940, it had minimal infrastructure, but it transformed into a bustling metropolis following an influx of refugees from the Chinese Civil War. The settlement featured interconnected buildings with ad hoc doorways, allowing residents to navigate without going outdoors. Its development was largely unregulated, with minimal British involvement and some jurisdiction asserted by the Nationalist Chinese Government. The city was characterized by high-rise buildings, some reaching 14 stories, constructed in a vernacular style.