high-rises everywhere
you can leave your prayers and money at this shrine
towering living quarters for Hongkong's residents
the firing of the Noonday Gun is one of Hongkong's top tourist attractions
behind the fence is "communist China', Shenzhen is in the background
the Hongkong Convention and Exhibition Center where the handover ceremony was held in Juli 1997
Since July 1997
Hongkong is an autonomous territory of China. Apart from military defense and foreign affairs the city has a high
degree of autonomy, but Beijing's influence is slowly but surely increasing.
Hongkong has been part of China under most
of the Chinese dynasties untill the Brittish took possession in 1841 and made it a
Crown colony. Apart from a small Japanese
interruption during WW II the Britts ruled till 1997.
Today densily populated Hongkong has a very competitive economy
and is one of the worlds top financial centers. It is also the world's #1 tourist destination
Since space is limited most
buildings are high rises, giving the city an impressive skyline.
We have visited Hongkong several times, the photographs
in this album are from October 1997, just after the 'handover' to China.
a view along Wan Chai to the new Convention and Exhibition Center
he is preparing the Noonday Gun
they provide harbour tours
a 747 takes off from Kai Tak Airport in the middle of Hongkong. It was closed in 1998
he is counting the money, a good day for the temple?
