Harbour Praya: Past and Present (Tram and Banks)

Left: Harbour Praya
Right: Tram and Banks

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 and 2015 image also looks west-southwest. But, unable to move farther back because of the old Supreme Court, the photo had to be taken much closer in. As is seen here, the tramline closely parallels the original shoreline.