The Junks of Hong Kong: A Brief History

Hong Kong, a bustling metropolis known for its vertical skyline and modern infrastructure, has a rich history intertwined with its iconic junks. These traditional Chinese sailing vessels have played a central role in Hong Kong's development, acting as the backbone of its maritime trade and connecting the city to the rest of the world.

The origins of the junks can be traced back to ancient China, where these sturdy wooden ships were used for coastal trading, fishing, and transportation. Their unique design, with a distinctive curved bow and stern, allowed them to gracefully navigate the open seas and the intricate waterways of the region.

As Hong Kong transformed into a key trading hub in the early 20th century, the junks continued to serve as the primary means of transportation for both people and goods. While steamships gradually began to replace junks for long-haul journeys, the latter persisted as the backbone of the local fishing industry and played an important role in daily life.

However, with the advent of mechanization and modernization, the traditional junks gradually started to decline in number. Improved transportation infrastructures, such as roads and bridges, coupled with the availability of motorized boats, rendered the junks less practical for many purposes. These changing times led to a decline in their usage, but efforts were made by the government and cultural enthusiasts to preserve this unique aspect of Hong Kong's maritime heritage.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in reviving this important symbol of Hong Kong's cultural identity. Victoria Harbour currenlty is graced with a restored junk named ‘Dukling’, originally built to fish the seas off the coast of Hong Kong in 1955. The iconic three red sails and wooden hull of the Dukling remain a familiar sight on the skyscraper-flanked waters of Victoria Harbour. Dukling’s operations rely heavily on its 60-year-old captain, Hongkonger Kwok Wah-hei, who has more than three decades of experience as a seaman.

The adaptation and preservation of junks in Hong Kong is a testament to the city's commitment to preserving its cultural legacy. Efforts to maintain this maritime heritage showcase an appreciation for the past, while embracing the dynamism of the present

Keith Macgregor has been photographing Hong Kong for nearly 50 years. He documented Hong Kong since the economic boom period of the 70s, a time of immense prosperity, social development and general optimism. Nearing the end of its status as a British colony, many photographs depict a fascinating time where the visual contrast between British and Chinese culture, as well as what could be described as the old and the new, was still immensely visible and played into what made the city dynamic yet still mystical in nature.

Keith Macgregor拍攝香港近50年。他由香港於70年代開展黃金時期時一直以相攝記錄社會發展繁榮和樂觀的時期。很多照片仍是英國殖民地的香港，並描繪出那個迷人的時期。其中的中英文化以及新舊之間的視覺對比仍然非常明顯，並融入並創造出這個充滿活力的城市畫面，但同時本質上仍然保留其神秘感。