Google unveils most searched places in HK as Street View turns 15

Google is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its Street View feature as it has launched new features and unveiled the most search places in Hong Kong. According to the company, Hong Kong Disneyland tops the favourite street view locations in the city, while Queen’s Hill Estate in Fanling comes in second. Other places on the list include Hiu Kwong Street Sports Centre, Whampoa World and Ngau Tau Kok Road Sports Centre.

In addition to these places, Google has also unveiled the most searched museums in Hong Kong on Google Street View. Grade I historic building Haw Par Mansion, which opened to the public in 2021 after revitalisation, dominates the list. The architectural design combining Chinese and Western styles and the interior decoration with Southeast Asian features has attracted lots of visitors and made it Hong Kong’s favourite Street View museum. M+, the new landmark of contemporary visual culture, and the Hong Kong Museum of Art, which reopened earlier this year, are close behind. The Hong Kong Science Museum and the Hong Kong Space Museum are also on the list.

As many Hongkongers flock to the countryside and beaches in recent years, Google has also announced the most searched beaches in the city. Siu Lam Beach was the most popular beach searched by netizens in the city, followed by Pui O Beach and Lido Beach. Lo So Shing Beach and Tong Fuk Beach.

Worldwide, topping the world’s favourite Street View locations is Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, in the United Arab Emirates. The iconic Eiffel Tower in France comes next, followed by the Taj Mahal in India.

To celebrate the anniversary, Google has also offered users an opportunity to make their navigation icon a celebratory Street View car by tapping tap the chevron when they are in the driving mode. On the desktop version, the Pegman, whom users can pick up and drop anywhere in Google Maps to see street views, is dressed up in a birthday hat and balloons for the celebration. Moreover, Google also gathered historical images from past Street View collections and launched a digital time capsule in 2014. Android and iOS users globally can view Street View images of a place by tapping anywhere on the photo to see information about the location. They now can use their phones to see how the place has changed over the years by tapping "See more dates".

Lastly, Google will launch the new immersive view later this year. Users will be able to see locations from above, as well as zoom in to check the street, architect and shop details. The latest immersive view will first roll out in Los Angeles, London, New York, San Francisco and Tokyo by the end of the year with more cities coming soon.

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