Des Voeux Road | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Des Voeux Road

Des Voeux Road
Date picture taken (may be approximate): 
Friday, December 31, 1926

Comments

Although James McAndrew was only in Hong Kong between 1935 and 1937, this an older view that he bought as a postcard.

I'll guess 1926, as the Exchange Building has scaffolding up, and it looks as though there is scaffolding around the old Hong Kong Hotel North Wing too, for its demolition after the big fire in 1926. Corrections welcome!

I have a similar photo. 1926 would be correct as the trams with the enclosed upper decks were introduced in 1925. They look relatively 'new' in the photo.

Also, the King Edward Hotel, seen at the right, was gutted by fire in 1929 and never reopened as far as I know. Newspaper reports (HKDP Aug 2 and Oct 17, both page 5) discuss demolition and a possible rebuilding of the hotel, but the owners filed for bankruptcy in, as I recall, 1930.

I spotted a 'special' passenger on the rear updeck of the wooden-roof tram - a dog!

Joseph