in Places & People

Fabulous Photos Show What Hong Kong Looked Like In The 1980s

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The 1980s in Hong Kong’s history is marked as the era of rapid development and steady economic growth, the population topped five million in the early years of the 1980s. The additional 700,000 residents raised the population to 5.73 million at the end of the decade. Hong Kong would be recognized internationally for its politics, entertainment, and skyrocketing real estate prices.

Hong Kong was also polluted and dirty in general, being a compact city and no emission standards at the time. There were wet markets and street food vendors, everywhere. Everything was relatively cheap and affordable.

Here below are some stunning vintage photos that will take you back to the 1980s Hong Kong. Be sure to check, what Hong Kong looked like in the 1970s and everyday life of Hong Kong in the 1970s.

#1 A plane flying very close to the tops of buildings before landing at Kai Tak airport in Hong Kong, circa 1980

A plane flying very close to the tops of buildings before landing at Kai Tak airport in Hong Kong, circa 1980

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#2 Celebrants carry paper shrines from boats to temple on Po Toi Island during festival dedicated to Goddess of Sailors and the Sea. Hong Kong, 1980s.

Celebrants carry paper shrines from boats to temple on Po Toi Island during festival dedicated to Goddess of Sailors and the Sea. Hong Kong, 1980s.

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#4 Local rope ferry in the fishing village of Tai-O,crossing has since been replaced with a pedestrian bridge. Hong Kong, 1986

Local rope ferry in the fishing village of Tai-O,crossing has since been replaced with a pedestrian bridge. Hong Kong, 1986

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#5 The coach station of the shipping terminal of the ferries of Kowloon, 1980.

The coach station of the shipping terminal of the ferries of Kowloon, 1980.

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#7 Waterfront Restaurants on Cheng Chau Island Hong Kong. 1980.

Waterfront Restaurants on Cheng Chau Island Hong Kong. 1980.

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#10 North Point district,Chung Yeung Street at North Point, Hong Kong

North Point district,Chung Yeung Street at North Point, Hong Kong

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#11 Chungking Mansion,located at 36-44 Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, 1986.

Chungking Mansion,located at 36-44 Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, 1986.

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#12 Passengers on the ferry to Lantau Is. Hong Kong, 1986

Passengers on the ferry to Lantau Is. Hong Kong, 1986

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#15 Peng Chau, Hong Kong outlying island community, 1986.

Peng Chau, Hong Kong outlying island community, 1986.

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#17 Bamboo scaffoldingNathan Road, Kowloon. Hong Kong, 1987.

Bamboo scaffoldingNathan Road, Kowloon. Hong Kong, 1987.

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#21 Mid century multi story housing. Hong Kong, 1986.

Mid century multi story housing. Hong Kong, 1986.

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#23 High-rise residential housing, Kowloon. Hong Kong, 1986.

High-rise residential housing, Kowloon. Hong Kong, 1986.

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#24 A street of the old district of Queen’s Road. Hong Kong, 1980s.

A street of the old district of Queen's Road. Hong Kong, 1980s.

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#27 Balconies of Crowded High Rise in Kowloon Walled City in 1980s

Balconies of Crowded High Rise in Kowloon Walled City in 1980s

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#28 People resting in a refugee shelter at the Government Dock yard in Hong Kong, after leaving Vietnam, 7th January 1980.

People resting in a refugee shelter at the Government Dock yard in Hong Kong, after leaving Vietnam, 7th January 1980.

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#29 A seamstress works in front of her sewing machine arranged perpendicular to a shelf. Hong Kong, 1981.

A seamstress works in front of her sewing machine arranged perpendicular to a shelf. Hong Kong, 1981.

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#30 Travelers rush along the wagons on the platform, also passing through the windows.Hong Kong 1981.

Travelers rush along the wagons on the platform, also passing through the windows.Hong Kong 1981.

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#31 One of the two bronze lions of the Hongkong and Shangahai Banking Corporation is being moved to the Bank’s annex as the headquarters is redeveloped. 19 June 1981

One of the two bronze lions of the Hongkong and Shangahai Banking Corporation is being moved to the Bank's annex as the headquarters is redeveloped. 19 June 1981

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#32 Workers at the new Chai Wan Cargo Pier. 18 Aug 1981

Workers at the new Chai Wan Cargo Pier. 18 Aug 1981

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#33 Murray Multi-storey car park with the Bank of China Building. August 1982.

Murray Multi-storey car park with the Bank of China Building. August 1982.

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#34 Cookshop in the streets of Hon Kong, Early 1980s.

Cookshop in the streets of Hon Kong, Early 1980s.

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#35 Chinese Chiropractor Clinic in Hong Kong in 1980s

Chinese Chiropractor Clinic in Hong Kong in 1980s

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#40 Passengers on the Hong Kong tram,Queen’s Road. Hong Kong, 1987.

Passengers on the Hong Kong tram,Queen's Road. Hong Kong, 1987.

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#41 Passengers aboard the Star Ferry between Kowloon and Hong Kong, 1986.

Passengers aboard the Star Ferry between Kowloon and Hong Kong, 1986.

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#48 People visiting the Kowloon leisure park sacntuary. Hong Kong, early 1980s.

People visiting the Kowloon leisure park sacntuary. Hong Kong, early 1980s.

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#50 Suit tailors in their Kowloon shop. Hong Kong, 1986.

Suit tailors in their Kowloon shop. Hong Kong, 1986.

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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