Nothing can match the thrill of a swing: pumping your legs to fly through the air.
Swings can be hard to find in our crowded city, but there is a map that can help.
Seven years ago, a man nicknamed Mr Swing started recording Hong Kong's swings on an online map that anyone can look at.
He remembers the day he first saw a playground with metal swings near his home in Tuen Mun.
"I suddenly realised that it had been a long time since I saw a swing," he says. "I have fond childhood memories of swinging, but I have seen fewer swings in the playgrounds lately."
A quest for swings
Out of curiosity, he went on the internet to see if he could find locations for other swings in Hong Kong, but he couldn't find many.
So he decided to go on a quest to find them. Starting in his own neighbourhood, Mr Swing's first stop was a playground in Siu Hong Court. He jotted down the spot on a whiteboard and added the location to a Google Map, and then shared the details on social media.
So far, he has recorded 186 swings in the city. His Facebook page has more than 4,400 followers, and his Instagram has about 3,400.
He found that Hong Kong's swings are usually located in public estate playgrounds. There are 670 leisure venues in Hong Kong that have children's play facilities, and 143 of them have swings.
Besides these ones, there are also handmade swings that can be found in the countryside or on islands like Lantau.
"Those swings hidden in remote areas are harder to find. I remember once I spent hours hiking to find a swing, only to find that the information online was wrong," Mr Swing remembers.
Hong Kong mainly has four types of swings: sling belt swings, bucket swings for toddlers, rubber tyre swings, and handmade wooden swings.
A see-saw swing
He says there are some unique swings. In his opinion, the most special one was in Ching Leung Nunnery in Tuen Mun which was the 150th swing on his list. It was a combination of a see-saw and a swing. The wooden structure held up a long plank with one swing in the centre and another two on each end.
Another example is the play space in Tuen Mun Park. It has a nest swing and a parent-child swing. "It gives more options for people to play," he says.
As the enthusiast visits more playgrounds, the swings have also deepened his love for the city.
"Ever since I started my journey visiting the city's swings, I have been able to explore Hong Kong and create more memories," he explains.
Fun facts
Swings are usually found in gardens or playgrounds for children. But acrobats in a circus also have swings which hang from the top of the tent. These acrobats' swings go much higher!
Quick questions
- In which district does Mr Swing live?
- What materials can be used to build swings?
- What is the best playground equipment, in your opinion?
