Hong Kong's Chungking Mansions sheds stigma to become cultural landmark

'Home away from home' for refugees and travelers marks 65th anniversary this year

As Chungking Mansions approaches its 65th birthday, renovations and security overhauls have transformed it from what many considered a perilous blight into a key Hong Kong destination. (All photos by Kensaku Ihara) 

HONG KONG -- When Jeffrey Andrews started working at a refugee support center in Hong Kong's notorious Chungking Mansions 17 years ago, he kept his workplace to himself.