Yantai China Harbor Chinese Junks Boats 1930s Real Photo Postcard

Hong Kong Harbour served as a critical entrepôt during the colonial era, facilitating trade between China and the world. Junks, traditional Chinese sailing vessels characterized by their distinctive battened sails, were the backbone of coastal and riverine commerce for millennia, handling a vast array of goods and people within the region. Their presence in the harbour signifies the enduring importance of traditional maritime transport alongside the advent of modern steamships.

This scene, likely from the early 20th century, captures the bustling commercial life that defined Hong Kong as a major British colonial outpost. The dense concentration of junks, laden with various commodities like barrels and bales, underscores the harbour's role as a key logistical node where traditional shipping methods seamlessly integrated into the expanding global trade networks of the era.