Just After Japanese Surrender, These Vintage Photos Capture Street Scenes of Hong Kong in 1945

The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong ended in 1945, after Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945. Hong Kong was handed over by the Imperial Japanese Army to the Royal Navy on 30 August 1945; British control over Hong Kong was thus restored. 30 August was declared as “Liberation Day”, and was a public holiday in Hong Kong until 1997.

Hong Kong in late August 1945

General Takashi Sakai, who led the invasion of Hong Kong and subsequently served as governor-general during the Japanese occupation, was tried as a war criminal, convicted and executed on 30 September 1946.

These amazing photos from WWII album of Blake Smith’s father that captured street scenes of Hong Kong in late August 1945, just after the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong ended.

Bomb shattered jetty, Hong Kong, August 31, 1945

Bombed buildings in Hong Kong, August 1945

Boys from ship rickshaw ride in Hong Kong, August 31, 1945

Centre Street at Sai Ying Pun, looking towards Des Voeux Road West from the junction with Queen's Road West, Hong Kong, August 1945

Chinese boy making rope, Hong Kong, August 1945

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Amazing Black and White Photos of Hong Kong in the 1980s

1980s in Hong Kong marks a period when the territory was known for its wealth and trademark lifestyle. Hong Kong would be recognized internationally for its politics, entertainment and skyrocketing real estate prices.

Hong Kong’s population topped five million just at the beginning of the 1980s, and rose at an annual average rate of 1.3% over the next ten years. The additional 700,000 residents raised the population to 5.73 million at the end of the decade.

There were public outcries in the early 1980s over decreasing wages due to the large influx of mainland immigrants raising supply against demand. On the other hand, citizens of Hong Kong were beginning to emigrate to the UK, Canada and United States in large numbers due to the uncertainty of the handover in 1997. From 1980 to 1986, an estimated 21,000 people left Hong Kong permanently every year. Beginning in 1987, the numbers rose sharply to 48,000 people a year.

These amazing photos were taken by Dave Glass that show street scenes of Hong Kong in 1986 and 1987.

Chung Yeung Street at North Point, Hong Kong, 1986

Chung Yeung Street at North Point, Hong Kong, 1986

Chungking Mansion, located at 36-44 Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 1986

High-rise residential housing, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 1986

Hong Kong tram No.68, Queen's Road, Hong Kong, 1986

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Bruce Lee Posing With His Iconic and Beloved Red Mercedes Benz 350 SL in 1972

You probably didn’t know, but Bruce Lee apart from being a master of martial arts and philosophy, had a great sense of style when it came to dressing. He was well aware of the great power of a tailor-made suit or a good selection of accessories. He began with the Ivy League style that was so popular until the arrival of the 1970s with its prints and flare pants.

Here, below are some fascinating vintage photographs of Bruce Lee posing with his iconic and beloved red Mercedes Benz 350 SL in Hong Kong in 1972:

40 Amazing Color Photographs That Capture Everyday Life in Hong Kong in the 1970s

Hong Kong in the 1970s underwent many changes that shaped its future, led for most of the decade by its longest-serving and reform-minded Governor, Murray MacLehose. Economically, it reinvented itself from a manufacturing base into a financial centre.

The late 1970s saw increases in land prices. Along with the opening up of global trade with China via the 1978 economic reforms, factories were gradually relocated to the mainland, where labor costs were lower.

Following decades of immense and sustained immigration, the shortage of housing in the territory became acute. Many lived in squatter settlements or boats, where they were susceptible to typhoons, fires and landslides. To improve the quality of public housing and relieve overcrowded conditions, the government announced the Ten-year Housing Programme in 1972, with the goal of providing quality housing for 1.8 million people in 10 years. The Hong Kong Housing Authority was formed to spearhead the program. The government also introduced the Home Ownership Scheme in 1976, building houses and selling them at below-market prices to help people own property.

Wellcome, the first supermarket in Hong Kong, was opened in Central in 1970. It was called "Gweilo market" by some locals, as most customers were westerners during the initial period of its operation, but Chinese citizens would soon embrace this new kind of store. By 1975, more than 200 big- and small-scaled supermarkets could be found in the city. These new stores eliminated most traditional rice dealers, wine shops and convenient stores. Wellcome and PARKnSHOP did not take long to capture the market. The front and full page ads of these two mega franchises aided in their increase in popularity where smaller traditional stores couldn’t.

Here, a collection of 40 amazing photographs of Hong Kong in the 1970s:

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30 Amazing Color Photographs That Capture Daily Life in Hong Kong in the 1960s

1960s in Hong Kong continued with the development and expansion of manufacturing that began in the previous decade. The economic progress made in the period would categorize Hong Kong as one of Four Asian Tigers along with Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Hong Kong’s population in the 1960s is estimated at 3 million. Half of the population was under the age of 25 and the group became Hong Kong’s baby boom generation. The surge of refugees continued to come in from China.

The past generations of Chinese families were deeply rooted in family affairs. The long hours in the factories would break apart that traditional structure when most people spend far more time working in factories than at home. But people lived under a strong willingness to bear sufferings. This was slightly compensated by their close relationship within the community, and cheerful talks in their spare times. Work places mainly served as educational hubs or the “second home.” Women also joined the work force in larger numbers, becoming working daughters or working mothers.

The construction business would also continue to increase along with the demand of highways, buildings, tunnels, and reservoirs. In 1962, the director of public works questioned where to go after the development of Kwai Chung and Tsuen Wan. The construction expansion went west to Tuen Mun and north to Sha Tin. The first post-World War II documentation to provide detailed information about the territory came in 1969 in a guide titled the “Colony Outline Plan.” It was the first paperwork to outline strategies to house a million people with low-cost public housing, along with defining tight regulations and guidelines on how to construct among the high density population.

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Then and Now Photos Show How Hong Kong Has Changed in 60 Years

Hong Kong became the first of the Four Asian Tiger economies to industrialize during the 1950s. With a rapidly increasing population, the colonial government began reforms to improve infrastructure and public services. The public-housing estate program, Independent Commission Against Corruption, and Mass Transit Railway were all established during the post-war decades to provide safer housing, integrity in the civil service, and more-reliable transportation. Although the territory’s competitiveness in manufacturing gradually declined because of rising labour and property costs, it transitioned to a service-based economy.

1960s in Hong Kong continued with the development and expansion of manufacturing that began in the previous decade. The economic progress made in the period would categorize Hong Kong as one of Four Asian Tigers along with Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.

A set of amazing then and now photos from Stuart James shows street scenes of Hong Kong taken in 1955 and 1968 to compare with 2017.

Hong Kong. Junction of Nathan Rd and Mody Rd, Kowloon, 1955 and 2017

Hong Kong. 1955 and 2017. Supreme Court Building, Chater Road. It's one of very few colonial era buildings still standing in central Hong Kong

Hong Kong. Nathan Road, Kowloon, 1955 and 2017

Hong Kong. Peak Tram, 1955 and 2017. View from the mid level. The old Bank of China building can be seen in both pictures top centre. Built in 1952, it was Hong Kong's first skyscraper

Hong Kong. Supreme Court Building, Chater Garden, 1955 and 2017. The cricket pitch has long gone and is now an open square called Chater Garden

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Hong Kong in the 1970s Through Fascinating Color Photos

Hong Kong in the 1970s underwent many changes that shaped its future, led for most of the decade by its longest-serving and reform-minded Governor, Murray MacLehose. Economically, it reinvented itself from a manufacturing base into a financial centre.

Companies were also seeking well educated employees for complex projects. Seventy-two percent of overseas graduates between 1962 and 1976 would come back to Hong Kong to take on highly skilled domestic positions.

The 1970s was when Hong Kong gained daily news broadcasts. News programmes ranked in the top 10 continuously for a decade. 66% of the population tuned in regularly covering 2 to 3 million viewers nightly.

Hong Kong also found itself at a unique geographical and cultural crossroads. Many of the western artists like Elvis Presley and The Beatles were getting exposure in the music industry. Toys from Japan have arrived in Hong Kong via random and inconsistent shipments in the past.

These fascinating photos from Ralf K that show what Hong Kong looked like in the 1970s.

Aberdeen, Hong Kong

Aberdeen, Hong Kong

Aberdeen Floating Restaurant, Hong Kong

A Village in New Territories, Hong Kong

Cable Car System, Ocean Park, Hong Kong

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30 Fascinating Photos of Hong Kong in the Mid-1960s

1960s in Hong Kong continued with the development and expansion of manufacturing that began in the previous decade. The economic progress made in the period would categorise Hong Kong as one of Four Asian Tigers along with Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Hong Kong’s population in the 1960s is estimated at 3 million. Half of the population was under the age of 25 and the group became Hong Kong's baby boom generation. The surge of refugees continued to come in from China.

Economically, this era is considered a major stepping stone for Hong Kong. It is considered the first turning point for Hong Kong's economy. The per capita GDP was still relatively low in 1960. It was approximately the same as Peru, South Africa and Greece in the same decade. By comparison, Argentina had two times and Venezuela had three times the GDP of Hong Kong.

The living standard was rising steadily, but low wages continued. The number of registered factories increased from 3,000 in 1950s to 10,000 in 1960s. Registered foreign companies increased from 300 to 500. There were demands for labour in every sector of the economy.

These fascinating color photos from emmdee that captured street scenes of Hong Kong in 1964.

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Just Before WWI, Fascinating Photos Capture Everyday Life of Hong Kong Around 1910

On the outbreak of World War I in 1914, fear of a possible attack on the colony led to an exodus of 60,000 Chinese. However, Hong Kong during World War I saw no direct military action, and Hong Kong's population continued to boom in the following decades from 530,000 in 1916 to 725,000 in 1925.

Hong Kong around 1910

Nonetheless, the city served as an important port in East Asia, including as the headquarters of the British China Station, and saw significant socioeconomical changes during the war.

These photos are from a folder of postcards from the Kien family archives that captured everyday life of Hong Kong around 1910.

A group of Chinese ladies with small feet

A group of street coolies

A Chinese burial

Bowrington Canal, Hong Kong

Caine Road, Hong Kong

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