John Thomson and the Harbour Praya

The photograph is taken by John Thomson. Standing on the harbour praya, or today just south of the eastern end of Chater Road, Thomson photographed the imposing façade of the City Hall. It was completed in 1869, midway during his time in Hong Kong. The attractive northern curve of the praya allowed him to take his view from some distance back. Even so, the bulk of the City Hall hid the buildings higher up: St John’s Cathedral, the Government Offices.