Tram Line to the Past
One of my favourite Hong Kong experiences is the tram ride along the north shore of Hong Kong Island. Although I’ve only done the full trip once — it’s a long way from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan — I often take the tram for shorter journeys. There’s something about the wind in my face, the rattling of the old wooden interior and the slow parade through crowded streets that makes it much more rewarding than the bus or MTR.
It’s also a good way to get in touch with one of the few things about Hong Kong that has remained mostly unchanged in 100 years. These photos, taken in the 1950s and collected by the guys at Batgung, show a Hong Kong that is virtually unrecognizable: ornate and low-rise, with elegantly arcaded sidewalks. What links this vanished city to the present are the slow, rumbling trams, most of which are still in service today (albeit covered with advertisements instead of the classic green paint).
Tags: Hong Kong, Streetlife, Tramway
