This film is part of Free
A Drive Round the Island of Hong Kong
Join a group of ex-pats on a tour around Hong Kong, long before it became defined by its skyscraper skyline.
Overview
As well as taking in some of Hong Kong's best known scenic spots, this home movie offers unique insight into how European and Chinese communities co-existed. While ex-pats enjoy afternoon tea in the gardens of the impressive Repulse Bay Hotel, Chinese fishermen mend sails at Aberdeen port. Buddhist, Christian and Muslim cemeteries are shown, presumably to show the island’s multiculturalism.
The scene entitled ‘Chinese bathing beach’ showing Chinese locals taking an afternoon dip tells another story about more segregated elements of the European and Chinese communities. Other locations shown include Shau Kei Wan, North Point, Causeway Bay and Wong Nai Chung (Happy Valley). The footage was shot in 1935 but not compiled until 1937-38.
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