Nathan Rd southbound with the building on the left the former Astor Theatre (Po Hing) and the Alhambra on the right.
In the past, Pai Laus were erected at major junctions on both Hong Kong and Kowloon to celebrate either the accession to the throne of the Queen and her predecessors or to commemorate the jubilee years of their reign.
A comparison photo of the same area from the 1930s looking north. A sleepy looking Nathan Road with a boulevard feel to it. Note the banyan trees used to extend further south along Nathan Road. The road immediately to the right would most probably be Middle Road with the Far East Motors dealership at the junction.
A look at Nathan Rd northbound at road level showing the Rose and Star Hotels. Photo probably taken in the late 40s or early 50s. Note the banyan tree in front of the Star Hotel [MrB: the tree is also visible in the Hedda Morrison photo] across the road from the Chungking Market which unfortunately is not visible.
