Wandering through old Kowloon - Ho Man Tin Hill 1951

[deliisha123]

I was very impressed that you captured the Kowloon Walled City, which is where the squatters lived. I recently became interested in the Kowloon Walled City, I have a reprint of an old b & w photo of the City before any settlement(1890s). During 1950-70s, over 350 apartments were built in 6.5 acres, 30,000 residents. Whole area was demolished in 1993 and replaced with a park. Glad you captured its essence in 1950s. Very few photos exist of the area. Thanks for uploading.

[hopingu888]

I know a huge area of the hill has removed for building for the public housing, i just hope anyone can tell where is the exact place at the top of the hill now (see 2:14)?

I guess should it be Fat Kwong Street now? or the highest part of the hill has removed?

maps.google.com/maps?q=ho+man+­tin+road&hl=en&ll=22.313513,11­4.18183&spn=0,0.009634&sll=37.­0625,-95.677068&sspn=54.22533,­78.925781&radius=15000&t=h&lay­er=c&cbll=22.313513,114.18183&­panoid=Wzu-L_Ww6PackPuethGBKg&­cbp=12,267.85,,0,11.43&z=17

[MichaelRogge]

I remember that there was a rather big villa in front of us at Ho Man Tin Hill Road, housing a chinese family with some children. I lived as a paying guest with family Labrum of Ye Olde Printerye

[outhere0101]

I lived in Ho Man Tin Hill Road for 14 years since late 70s. I still remember the grand house in No. 5, and the hugh government quarters for UK officers. Mom told me about the squatter area and the stone buildings at what is now Princess Marget Road and Oi Man Estate public housing. Thanks to your excellent video, now I know what she was talking about! Only one of the stone buildings left, now a Catholic church for the disabled at 80 Princess Marget Road.

[udon890]

The young fellow riding the roller coaster was good looking.  heeeeeeheeeeeee.

[MichaelRogge]

@udon890. It was my colleague Hans Wynia, who died alas 35 years ago! We explored often Hong Kong together.

[flyingear]

Thanks so much! You brings me to the world of my Dad and Mum, a world without me, feeling so strange and amazing!

[think3hytsang]

Thank you. This is beautiful .... like a time machine that bring us back.

I was child of 70's, thanks for this, bring me back to my parent's HK.

[robertschelly]

Michael, I have very much enjoyed your series. HK and Kowloon are among my favorite places anywhere; and I will be returned for a visit in a few weeks.

[yuetkukoihoje]

Can somebody please tell me what is the Grand Building at 0:07?

It just looked unreal, can't believe we did have such beautiful building before.

Thanks for the clip as usual.

[tsangyumkuen]

@yuetkukoihoje i thought it's Tsim Sha Tsui

[phamlee1]

This bring back good memories. Thank you

[modrockbaby]

I lived in Fairland Gardens, that's 7 Homantin Hill Rd...amazing video thankyou for posting!

[eddielung31]

amazing, realling amazing, I live precisely around Homantin Hill Road, NOW( in 2008), thanks for letting me see what my neighbourhood was like 50+ years ago!

[vanessaseed]

was that shanty town the one that got burnt down in the mid 50s in a massive fire?

that area, waterloo hill is now a very respectable neighbourhood!

[rogerhpk]

Michael, do you have anything about silvermine bay (mui wo) at Lantau?

[siuwahchan]

Shek Kit Mei

[cocoto123]

As a bron of hk chinese 5o yeas ago ,I was very impressed by the vedio you upload , Thank you so much Michael .

[vincentpb]

I think it should be Kai Tak Amusement Park, somewhere near to the Kai Tak Airport

[kaiwkc]

Was that 'Lai Yuen Amusement Park'? (opened from 1949 to 1997).

[MichaelRogge]

Sorry, after 57 years I can't remember. Do you recognize it? And in what district was this park?

[bigfishkwan]

According to the rollercoaster database, there was a Luna Park operated from 1949, and the video showed the letter "LUNA PARK" outside the train, so, I think the amusement park should be Luna Park, not Kai Tai or Lai Yuen...

[bigfishkwan]

oh, Luna Park was in North Point King's Road..

[wanceasy]

@kaiwkc

It is not "Lai Yuen" but "Luna Park" (月園) as it written on the little train.

[alfredhcy]

wow people back then can actually afford to bring their kids to amusement parks? my grandpa told me hong kong used to be dirt poor after the war. for entertainment my dad and his siblings used to play in the streets and catch tadpoles in the pond at the abandoned quarry on morrison hill.