Covering the political and cultural angles on the city as well as fiction and personal memoirs, these are our ten best books about hong kong. Hong kongs first elections under chinese rule, in 1998, allowed for onethird of the 60member legislature to be elected by direct popular vote, with the democrats hong kongs largest party winning the most seats although full suffrage, with a fully elected legislature and chief executive, is declared a goal in the basic law, it has no. Treaties signed in the 1800s stipulated that the brits were only to hand back the northern swath of hong kong called the new territoriesand not hong kong. Hong kong, ore more precisely the hong kong special administrative region hksar, is located at the south coast of china near the pearl river delta which helped make it become the center of business and center it is now. Gow, the predecessor to rthk was established in 1928 as the first broadcasting. I was interested in western missionaries in china and treatyport culture in shanghai. Welcome to the website of the hong kong history project. A modern history of hong kong my perception is that there arent many good indepth histories of hk in english. If youre looking to get to grips with hong kongs rollercoaster history, tsangs documenting of opium smugglers, pirates and colonial mandarins.
When it was ceded to great britain in 1842, hong kong was a small fishing village with a population of about 15,000. There have been several theories regarding the origin of hong kongs name. Hong kong bookseller lam wingkee, who is in selfimposed exile in taiwan, has accused the chinese communist party cpp of registering a fake bookstore with the same name as his new shop ahead of. The evolution of hong kong history from colony to powerhouse. Britain, china, and the japanese occupation 2004 excerpt and text. Hong kong, grumbled palmerston, will never be a mart of trade. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. The return to china formally, no treaty forced the british to also return hong kong island and kowloon in 1997. Hong kong literature reflects the areas unique history during the 20th century as a fusion of.
Hong kong 1800s1930s was a period largely dominated by the british empire. Hong kong, of course, is unique in that 150 years of colonial rule has influenced its culture as a superficial overlay on the traditional pillars of chinese rituals and beliefs. Discover the best hong kong history in best sellers. In 1859 the kowloon peninsula was sold to britain, and in 1898 a. The region comprises hong kong island, ceded by china in 1842.
In 1842 a barren island was reluctantly ceded by china to an unenthusiastic britain. The retail book industry has been facing structural challenges in hong kong for the past decade. History of hong kong lonely planet travel information. 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. Top 10 books set in hong kong hong kongs intoxicating mix has been colourfully captured by authors from paul theroux to jan morris. Take a 360degree flying tour through hong kongs history from possession to handover and beyond. Hong kong, where history has become a battleground for. Rather apologetic on the british side, but if youve read plenty of other books condemning the opium wars, this is an impressive, thorough history. I think there is definitely room for more scholarship and writi. Familial loyalties set 1,500 years ago still prevail, and religious rituals to appease ghosts and deities still take place in the global city of hong kong.
Hong kong literature, the body of written works, primarily in chinese but occasionally in english, produced in hong kong from the mid19th century. The hong kong story history of hong kong 1841 to 1997. The deterioration in the last 12 months has led to a severe contraction in retail revenues, a. 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. Radio television hong kong rthk is the public broadcasting service in hong kong. I think i visited the hong kong muse um of history, then in star house, exactly once. And, as you explore the citys colourful heritage, youll discover stories of powerful clans, marauding pirates and european traders. History in the very long scale of history, hong kong as we know it today has existed for a mere blink of an eye. History of hong kongintroduction wikibooks, open books. But dont think hong kong doesnt have a literary pedigree too. Take a 360degree flying tour through hong kong s history from possession to handover and beyond.
At some point i decided to read a bit about hong kong. Historical hong kong this is a list of historical novels, memoirs and nonfiction books set primarily in hong kong throughout the centuries to present day. After invading the territory in 19th century during the opium war, the british gained land in a series of unequal treaties. Since the movement ended, however, chinese language bookstores in hong kong have been. Hong kong, special administrative region of china, located to the east of the pearl river estuary on the south coast of china. When the british occupied the tiny island of hong kong during the first opium war, the chinese empire was well into its decline, while great britain was already in the second decade of its legendary imperial century. 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. Protestors in hong kong demonstrated against a new extradition law proposed by the government of mainland china. There was no literature of any sort, until the launching of one of the first modern chinese newspapers, xunwan ribao cycle. Fiction or nonfiction they should transport the reader to an era during hong kong s development to help us understand the islands fascinating history. Ancient history remnants of burial grounds and early rock carvings show human life in hong kong as far back as the stone age. Historical fiction books hong kong online bookstore.
The following is a timeline of the history of hong kong. History of hong kongimperial yearssong and yuan wikibooks. Hong kong was destabilized by the cultural revolution in china. Hong kong is one of the worlds most enigmatic cities and its complex history has captured peoples imaginations around the world, these ten mustread books about hong kong will help visitors understand what makes this extraordinary citys heart beat. Two lams went to guangdong to trade, but were threw overboard and floated on a log, ending up on an island.
Hong kong, where history has become a battleground for beijing. Considered the most comprehensive hong kong history book, welsh recounts the countrys origins from a barren land from the british. Melding chinese and western influences, hong kong has long defied easy categorization. Firstly, here is an analysis of the name hong kong. Starting out as a farming fishing village and salt production site, it became an.
As hong kong is located nearly at the centre of the eurasian plate, there are. Online shopping for hong kong history books in the books store. The collection has selected a variety of education, informative and documentary radio and television programmes for users enjoyment. Hong kong time line chronological timetable of events. I read this a couple of years ago and thought it was pretty good. Jul 10, 2018 explore hong kong s fascinating history through this quick and easy guide to the best books about hong kong, from romantic novels, to informative works of nonfiction, to my favourite hk writers. Radio television hong kong rthk is a public broadcaster providing radio and television services. The return of hong kong to chinese sovereignty on july 1, 1997 was a seminal juncture in recent chinese history.
Best fiction and nonfiction books, novels and memoirs that take place primarily in the city of hong kong. Pick the best books set in hong kong for your trip. However, the history of the more than 1,100 square kilometres that hong kong now occupies predates the events of the qing dynasty by more than a thousand years. An excellent documentary about hong kongs fascinating history right before hong kongs 1997 return to chinese sovereignty. Rather apologetic on the british side, but if youve read plenty of other books condemning the opium wars, this is an impressive, thorough history that provides a bit of balance but read with a pinch of salt.
Sun yatsen established the republic of china in 1911 using hong kongs manhua to circulate antiqing propaganda. The bookworms guide to hong kong the art worlds eyes are on the citystate for art basel hong kong but how is the former colony portrayed in literature. What are the best books about hong kong history and. It is a vibrant cultural and financial center of chinese society. What are the best books about hong kong history and culture. In 1841, hong kong was officially occupied by british forces, opening the door on what was to become the british colonial era in hong kong history. When i began the research for my phd thesis back in the early 1990s, hong kong was the last place on my mind.
By the time the japanese occupied hong kong in 1941, all manhua activities had stopped. The secret history of hong kongs stillborn democracy. To her surprise, she didnt detest hong kong, as her. Jul 04, 2012 top 10 books set in hong kong hong kong s intoxicating mix has been colourfully captured by authors from paul theroux to jan morris. Fashionable hong kong the arrival of war an engrossing and detailed historical novel. A british colony a year later, in 1842, china ceded hong kong to the british as part of the treaty of nanking. Carroll concludes by exploring the legacies of colonial rule, the consequences of hong kong s reintegration with china, and significant developments and challenges since 1997. Hk writers the 5 best books about hong kong page traveller. This article needs additional citations for verification. The project, hosted at the university of bristol, and funded by the hatton trust, aims to encourage and facilitate the study of the history of hong kong in the uk, and to build collaborations with partners in hong kong, specifically in terms of collaboration between the university of bristol and the university of hong kong, as well as. Joss house bay was the only way for people to go to guangdong from fujian and zhejiang.
Hong kong is in a tropical area, and has monsoon winds. The mix of buddhism, confucianism, and taoism makes up the core of hong kong religion, combined with myths, legends, and deities specific to each region. Before visiting a place ive never been before, i like to read books that are set there. Since 1904, trams have been running from east to west of hong kong island. After deng xiaoping took over and assigned hong kong an importent role as a gate to the west, hong kong started booming.
Oct 10, 2014 treaties signed in the 1800s stipulated that the brits were only to hand back the northern swath of hong kong called the new territoriesand not hong kong island or kowloon i. The result was the first opium war 1839 to 1842 between britain and china. I will be visiting hong kong for the first time in october. The hong kong policy of the peoples republic of china, 19491997. The top ten books set in hong kong time out hong kong. The timeline starts at the areas earliest recorded mention through to world war two, taking in the major moments in hong kong history. Sun yatsen established the republic of china in 1911 using hong kong s manhua to circulate antiqing propaganda. Jul 29, 2017 i think i visited the hong kong muse um of history, then in star house, exactly once. Malcolm burgess, publisher of the citylit series, selects his. Fiction or nonfiction they should transport the reader to an era during hong kongs development to help us understand the islands fascinating history. In summer and early autumn, there is a frequent threat of typhoons. The book explores hong kong as a place with a unique identity, yet also a crossroads where chinese history, british colonial history, and world history intersect.
Hong kong territory became mostly wasteland 1669 great clearance ban was lifted 1757 british east india company pursued monopoly on opium. Hong kong simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Save the incredibly long history of china and its varied religions is woven into the culture of the country in a way unfamiliar to most western visitors. Com has s of historical fiction books on sale in hong kong. The lams, who later settled in hong kong, entered the city through joss house bay. Rthk annual plan for 2016 17 controlling officers report 2016 2017 replies to initial written questions raised by finance committee members in examining the estimates of expenditure 201617. From this collision of empires arose a city that continues to intrigue observers. Tuen mun was a port of extreme importance by the song dynasty. Putting hong kong in historical context the diplomat. It was history in the making, and begged to be written about. List of books and articles about hong kong politics and. About hong kong tweet find out all you need to know about this city of seven million people on the south china sea coast its colourful history, diverse culture and eastmeetswest character. The territory is thought to have come into the fold of the chinese. History of hong kongintroduction wikibooks, open books for.
While it marked a final end of empire for britain, the occasion was a moment. The region of hong kong has been inhabited since the old stone age, later becoming part of the chinese empire with its loose incorporation into the qin dynasty 221206 bc. Hong kong was a british possession for decades until it rejoined china in 1997. It is cool and wet in winter janmar, hot and rainy from spring through summer aprsep, and warm, sunny and dry in the autumn octdec. But from the outset the new colony prospered, its early growth owing much to the energy and resourcefulness of opium traders, who soon diversified in more respectable directions. Hong kong hong kong, mandarin xianggang, special administrative region of china, formerly a british crown colony 2015 est.
Hong kong literature reflects the areas unique history during the 20th century as a fusion of british colonial, cantonese, and seatrading culture. Some of the manhua that mirrored the early struggles of the transitional political and war periods were the true record and renjian pictorial. Hong kong literature is 20thcentury and subsequent writings from or about hong kong or by writers from hong kong, primarily in the poetry, performance, and fiction media. Hong kong history project rethinking a citys history. A modern history of hong kong is clearly written and easily read. Hong kong became one of the first parts of east asia to undergo industrialisation.
Hong kong literature, the body of written works, primarily in chinese but occasionally in english, produced in hong kong from the mid19th century when it was ceded to great britain in 1842, hong kong was a small fishing village with a population of about 15,000. Pages in category novels set in hong kong the following 26 pages are in this category, out of 26 total. It was the largest protest in hong kong s history according to wikinews this law would allow mainland china to extradite people living or visiting hong kong who may be fugitives. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. The best books on hong kong five books expert recommendations. Tsang offers a mix of narrative and analysis, and covers social and economic history as well as politics. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers.