Checkerboard and Kai Tak Plates

[SkyScanner]

Hello all,
I am fortunate to be heading to Hong Kong soon and for a bit of nostalgia I would like to climb the checkerboard hill. Being unfamiliar with HKG I would appreciate some information on how to get there (eg train/ bus/ walk).

I would also love to have a look at some of the old approach plates to Kai Tak.

Any information would be greatly appreciated!!

[zed3]

Did it a good few years ago , there was a bus which went nearby and then had to leg it uphill to the park where it is (was?) situated . I remember finding the bus number and route by studying a local (hotel freebee) map , so it shouldn't be any problem . No a/c overhead as guidance anymore unfortunately .

[Sharjah Night Shift]

The checkerboard is in Kowloon Tsai Park,a short walk mostly downhill from one of the MTR stations (can't remember the name). Once in the park you can't miss it.

There was a fence with a gate (never locked) at the bottom of a narrow concrete staircase leading up to a ledge just below the checkerboard itself. By the gate there was a sign saying someting like,"CAA property no trespassing" but the ledge was often full of spotters and photographers.

[lesarcs1]

Has anyone got a photo of the checkerboard from the cockpit? There is a link to one on a previous Pprune post but it doesn't work...

[spekesoftly]

You can just see the checkerboard here (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=421693&size=L&width=1024&height=673&sok=&photo_nr=), above the fin of the middle L1011.

[robnewman]

skyscanner

try this site which i found on google. it gives walking directions. from memory, i think the MTR station is Kowloon Tong.

if you've not been before, you missed the most amazing approach anywhere. i videoed it from the air and on the ground and it will never be beaten.

enjoy HK. there is no place like it.

rob

www.hkstar.com/~cchris/hkgspot.html

if that doesn\'t work, type into google \'how to get to kowloon tsai park'. it will be near the bottom of the first page of results headed \'spotting in hkg\'

[wub]

How about this pic:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/822187/L/


I have some great video taken from my favourite spotting spot, the top deck of the car park next to the terminal.

Here is the view from the checkerboard now:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/510743/L/

[Seaton Approach]

Some great pics guys, a truly great airport, and great memories too!

Took a walk down Memory Lane back in 2001 and stayed at the old Kai-Tak Regal Airport Hotel there - now the Regal Oriental?

Sorry to say that it had become pretty damn shabby, but the Sweet Basil Thai Restaurant just round the corner was still serving up top notch tucker! :ok:

Managed to duck passed security at the old departure check-in area (now a car showroom / bowling alley) and into the gate lounges - totally deserted but everything untouched as if the place had shut down only the night before, flight numbers still displayed at the gates, paperwork lying about, etc.

I doubt even that is there now.......

At least the memories will be with us forever! ;)

[Fright Level]

Apparently there's also a kart track inside the old terminal building where I'll be heading on my next HKG trip.

Our company kindly left the old airport in the sim graphics. Enter HKX into the position box and there she is in all her glory!

In searching the web for more info on the karting, I found this (http://www.savekaitaknow.netfirms.com/) about saving Kai Tak for general aviation.