Tsim Sha Tsui The Hong Kong Museum of History｜“Multifaceted Hong Kong” Exhibition Series: Sojourning in Gold Mountain – Hong Kong and the Lives of Overseas Chinese in California

Description

Starting from the mid-19th century, Hong Kong served as the main port of departure and return for Chinese emigrants and entrepôt for their trading activities. From sailing ships to the steamships and the Presidential Liners of the 20th century, Hong Kong evolved into a hub linking people, goods and cultural networks across the Pacific Ocean while providing all sorts of intermediary services. Between 1850 and 1939, more than 6.3 million Chinese emigrated through Hong Kong to foreign destinations, and 7.7 million Chinese returned via Hong Kong. A century of trans-Pacific activity created abundant business opportunities for companies in various industries in Hong Kong and fuelled the city's development into an international business port. The exhibition features over 260 exhibits that introduce the history of Chinese emigration to California to make a living since the mid-19th century, showcasing the challenges and difficulties faced by overseas Chinese, in tandem with their affection towards the motherland, from which the role of Hong Kong as an “in-between place” can be fully demonstrated.