However, the focus was on the peak tram, which was of more interest to the government and business interests that largely resided on victoria peak. A brief history of the peak tram in hong kong, on its 125th anniversary in 20. The book early hong kong transport by cheng pohung english text. May 09, 2020 hong kong is relatively safe and violent crime is rare. A history in pictures unique archives series by peter waller isbn.
Hong kongs tram system is one of the earliest forms of public transport in the metropolis, having opened in 1904 under british rule. Hong kong is much larger than it appears on a map, 2750 sq kms of mountainous country and islands, with a lot of motorways and big new bridges out to the islands, modern very large airport and to macau, but densely populated in the city and urban regions with the 7m people housed in many high rise buildings. Hong kong trams between western market and central. Peak tram hong kong 2020 all you need to know before you.
Book your tramoramic tour today and enjoy a unique visit through the city. But there was a lot going on in the region before that wintry morning in 1841 when a contingent of british marines clambered ashore and planted the union flag on the western part of hong kong island, claiming it for the british crown. The hongkong tramway electric company limited was established in england, responsible for building and operating the tramway system for hong kong. England sanctioned the building of a tramway system on hong kong island on august 29, 1901.
It has been over 1 years since the peak tram opened in hong kong though, technically, it is not even a tram but a cablehauled funicular railway. London, is highly regarded as the definitive history of hk tramways. Party tram is definitely a unique venue for your next function. Book a tramoramic tour discover hong kong s living history aboard a unique 1920sstyle tram with authentic tales of local life. History in the very long scale of history, hong kong as we know it today has existed for a mere blink of an eye. The building style of the stilt houses in tai o can date back as far as the 19th century and tai o is the only place in hong kong that has a over 100year sedentary fishing community. There is a signifciant criminal underworld in hong kong but it is not a concern tourists or backpackers in hong kong need worry about. Peak tram hong kong 2020 all you need to know before. The historical hong kong tramways is the oldest and cheapest transportation mode in the city. Hong kong is relatively safe and violent crime is rare.
The story of the hong kong tramway system barnett, martin on. Hong kong is a popular layover destination, but with limited time to spare, a guided tour is the best way to maximize your layover. Discover hong kongs living history with the tramoramic tour. The tai o fishing village on lantau island is famous for its traditional chinese stilthouse community and is considered as venice of the orient. For more than a century, trams have plied their trade along the northern coast of hong kong island. It is a special transportation treat that tourists can enjoy. Mar 15, 2019 the hong kong tramway traverses the most important part of the city from east to west, and it goes slow enough that it is good for a sightseeing and for transportation for tourists. Besides, hong kong is very proud that it is the only fleet with all the doubledecker trams in the world.
East asiasoutheast asia hong kong the world factbook. Over the last century, as history witnessed the development of hong kong, the tram remains a nostalgic mode of public transport to uncover the heritage past and exciting new vibes of the city along it tracks. Theres the historical area in sheung wan, the business district in. Dickinson dropped his proposal, but the idea wasnt dead yet. Pretty good book summing up the history and development of hong kong since its establishment up to year 1997. Hong kong by jan morris meet your next favorite book. Having seen this latest publication advertised, and having had an interest in this timeless tram system ever since my first visit to the former colony in 2002. A history in pictures drawing upon a fascinating selection of photographs, most of which have never been published before, this book explores the history of hong kongs tramways. These doubledecker streetcars have been travelling through hong kong s busiest thoroughfares since 1904 and continue to be an affordable, inexpensive and fun way to get around. Joseph tse yiuhon, a tram enthusiast living in hong kong and john prentice, chairman of the tramway and light railway society, have pooled their knowledge and have published this update. Hong kong tramways had undertaken extensive redesigning and started building its own trams. Hong kong tramways hkt is a 3 ft 6 in 1,067 mm narrowgauge tram system in hong kong. Buy tram souvenirs which are all available for delivery to customers worldwide. Connect hong kongs colorful history with its modern culture on a sightseeing tour aboard a 1920s tram stroll through the bustling streets and modern skyscrapers in a vintage opentop upper deck learn about authentic local life in hong kong with a.
Apr 16, 2018 john visited hong kong in 1981, 1990 and 2005 and supplied numerous valuable photos in the book. Connect hong kong s colorful history with its modern culture on a sightseeing tour aboard a 1920s tram stroll through the bustling streets and modern skyscrapers in a vintage opentop upper deck learn about authentic local life in hong kong with a picture gallery, videos, and historic commentary in 8 languages. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Get 360degree views of hong kong from sky terrace 428 as you listen to an informative audio guide. Step into one of the palm springs aerial tramways rotating cars for a scenic, skyhigh ride through the wilderness. Hong kong an ex british colony and since 1997 is a pure autonomous region. The tramoramic tour is one of the top things to do in hong kong for anyone whod love to get closer to the city. Hong kong has also established itself as the premier stock market for chinese firms seeking to list abroad. The tram tracks cover about 30 km of hong kong island and serve 120 stations. A history in pictures unique archives waller, peter on.
The peak tram together with the star ferry are two of hong kong s iconic institutions that have been around for over a century, and yes, a chance for you to ride on a piece of history. Hong kong victoria note items in this collection represent language, ideas, and prejudices of the time they were created. Hong kong tramway books the industrial history of hong. See more ideas about hong kong, british hong kong and history of hong kong. There are 32 craft lodges plus side orders who all meet in one of two lodge rooms in zetland hall at 1 kennedy road, right alongside the historic peak tramway that has taken visitors to the top of mt victoria since may 1888 to view over kowloon, of hong kong city. On the opentop upper deck, indulge yourself in a spectacular 360 view of hong kongs nightlife as the tram strolls leisurely along the track that extends from the nostalgic western district through the contemporary financial area and shopping hubs of hong kong island. End your nostalgic hk tramways journey by reigniting your longing for books and history at the university of hong kong the university of hong kong, which first opened in 1911, is the citys oldest university. He is the author of a number of books on transport and, prior to going. At the end of the same year, the electric traction company of hongkong limited was founded and took control of the hongkong tramway electric company limited.
With your peak tram tickets, ride one of the worlds most famous funicular railways and rise to a thousand feet. Definitive 1970 hong kong tramways book updated and republished. England sanctioned the building of a tramway system on hong kong island on 29 august 1901. The content has been provided for research and educational purposes. Hong kongvictoria note items in this collection represent language, ideas, and prejudices of the time they were created. This book is an updated version of the hongkong tramways book published back in 1970 and written by the late peter atkinson and alan williams. At the top of the mountain, disembark to explore mt. Tram history, millstone, tram story, anniversary, 100th anniversar, hkt. Board the iconic peak tram in hong kong from klooks special lane and enjoy hasslefree access to sky terrace 428.
Comfortable and cheap transport from west to east or vice versa in hk island, some locals or visitors travel, just by fun or killing time, from one end to another. Skip the queue and ride the iconic peak tram from our special lane when you buy fasttrack peak tram combo tickets from klook. The book early hong kong transport by cheng pohung english. The hong kong tramways website has a good history of the service on. Buy peak tram fasttrack combo tickets, hong kong klook. The kowloon tramway that never was zolima city magazine. The tram on hong kong island is the cheapest and most fun way to get around the north side of the island. This kind of tram was categorized as the fifthgeneration tram. Collophoto cards usually perforated at left edge, same image in 893. During that time, they have witnessed the transformation of. Learn more about hong kongs iconic tram, or ding ding as its nicknamed. Tram fares for the first and the third class were 10 cents and 5 cents respectively. The tramways of hong kong by peter waller takes readers on a colourful, rickety journey through the history of the city book also provides a range of technical information about the tramways dec 9, 2018 south china morning post excerpt hong kongs iconic trams not only form a lowcost link between the east and west of hong kong island. The 1st book on hk trams published in 1970, hongkong tramways.
Since 1888, this tram has been hong kong islands most reliable form of public transport between central district and the peak. This volume pays tribute to the hong kong trams from their earliest days, when they were served by britishbuilt singledecks trams, through to the modern era. The hong kong peak tram is the fun way to get to victoria peak, one of hong kong s top tourist attractions wellknown for its amazing views of victoria harbour. This hong kong layover tour includes train transfers to and from the airport, a ride on the peak tram to the sky terrace, and visits to the aberdeen fishing village, stanley market and more. However, always travelers are encouraged to stay vigilant when in crowds and to keep valuables safe. The hong kong tramway traverses the most important part of the city from east to west, and it goes slow enough that it is good for a sightseeing and for transportation for tourists. Due to continuous growth in population and economy in hong kong, demand for a comprehensive transport system began in 1881. Charter your party tram party tram is definitely a unique venue for your next function. I think the most in depth book currently available about the history of hongkong tramways is the recently published book by joseph tse and john prentice which i have included in an updated version of our article hong kong tramway books. The hong kong peak tram is the fun way to get to victoria peak, one of hong kongs top tourist attractions wellknown for its amazing views of victoria harbour. The tramway is a living, evolving connection between hong kong s colourful history and modern culture. Definitive 1970 hong kong tramways book updated and. Take a step back in time and explore the bustling north corridor of hong kong island aboard one of the citys historic trams.
During the 10minute journey, gaze out at the valley floor below. Guide to tai o fishing village venice of hong kong. The hong kong government published the professional tramways ordinance. Hong kong tramways ding ding 2020 all you need to know. It is probably one of the bestforthemoney tourist experiences in the world. Over the last century, hong kong tramways witnessed the development of hong kong. Due to its vicinity to tian tan buddha and ngong ping cable car, tai o becomes beloved destination among tourists in recent years and many visitors will cover tai o in their oneday trip on lantau island. These doubledecker streetcars have been travelling through hong kongs busiest thoroughfares since 1904 and continue to be an affordable, inexpensive and fun way to get around.
Discover hong kongs living history aboard a unique 1920sstyle tram with authentic tales of local life. Hong kong trams traverse the northern part of hong kong island on a eastwest direction, they are cheap, clunky and slow, but a very unique experience and a sightseeing attraction on its own. Ive searched the local newspapers for articles with the word tram from 19101922 inclusive. Article on page 4 of the hong kong telegraph, 24th june 1911. As historian tymon mellor writes for the industrial history of hong kong group, the hong kong tramway company proposed building a kowloon tramway with three routes. The peak tram together with the star ferry are two of hong kongs iconic institutions that have been around for over a century, and yes, a chance for you to ride on a piece of history. Hong kong doubledecker trams page 34 skyscrapercity. Hongkong tramways, joseph tse yiuhon and john prentice, light. History of hong kong lonely planet travel information. John visited hong kong in 1981, 1990 and 2005 and supplied numerous valuable photos in the book.
These also tell you whether the book is in english, chinese or is bilingual. Extract from letter on page 4 of the china mail, 25th may 1921. Popularly known as ding ding tram, due to the doublebell ring used to alert people of their approach, these are the only fleet of doubledecker trams in the world making them an iconic way of commute. The tramways of hong kong by peter waller takes readers on a colourful, rickety journey through the history of the city via its most iconic. Running from garden road admiralty to victoria peak via the midlevels, it provides the most direct route and offers good views over the harbour and skyscrapers of hong kong the peak tram is owned and operated by hongkong and shanghai hotels hsh, the owner of. It has used electric trams since its inauguration, and has never used horse or steam power. Indeed, hong kong is now the only tramway in the world operated exclusively by doubledeck trams, following the withdrawal in the 1980s of the systems last singledeck trailer cars. Why a tram ride is the best way to explore hong kong culture trip. Hong kong tram, hong kong tramways china highlights. From its start, its been a business oriented place, shameful as it were, from the despicable practice of british empires opium trade to the modern financial centre, its always been a special place, distinct from any other british colonies, while seen as a unjust theft by the china.
Hong kong tramway books the industrial history of hong kong. The peak tram is a funicular railway in hong kong, which carries both tourists and residents to the upper levels of hong kong island. San jacinto state park at your leisure, scoping out the restaurants, observation decks, natural history museum. Apr 20, 20 hong kong trams between western market and central. The wet market on chun yeung street used to be less organized and vendors would have their stalls set up in the middle of the tramway, says eric lee tsunlung, founder of tram fan club hong kong. Everyday still around 200,000 passengers take this hong kongs oldest public transportation. The construction of a singletrack system began in 1903 and it ran from kennedy town to causeway bay.
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