The Hong Kong of the 1970s – with its hillside slums, junk-filled harbour and rickshaw drivers – is almost unrecognisable when compared to the city today. Georges Bendrihem takes us on a journey back to February 1972 through colour and black and white photography.

hong kong in the 1970s
February 1972. Photo: AFP/Georges Bendrihem.
hong kong in the 1970s
February 1972. Photo: AFP/Georges Bendrihem.
hong kong in the 1970s
February 1972 – men play dominoes. Photo: AFP/Georges Bendrihem.
hong kong in the 1970s
February 1972. Photo: AFP/Georges Bendrihem.
hong kong in the 1970s
February 1972 – Aberdeen Harbour. Photo: AFP/Georges Bendrihem.
hong kong in the 1970s
February 1972 – Rickshaws. Photo: AFP/Georges Bendrihem.
hong kong in the 1970s
February 1972 – Aberdeen Harbour. Photo: AFP/Georges Bendrihem.
hong kong in the 1970s
February 1972 – Aberdeen Harbour. Photo: AFP/Georges Bendrihem.
hong kong in the 1970s
February 1972 – Aberdeen Harbour. Photo: AFP/Georges Bendrihem.
hong kong in the 1970s
February 1972 – Aberdeen Harbour. Photo: AFP/Georges Bendrihem.
hong kong in the 1970s
February 1972 – a Chinese refugee camp. Photo: AFP/Georges Bendrihem.
hong kong in the 1970s
February 1972 – a Chinese refugee camp. Photo: AFP/Georges Bendrihem.
hong kong in the 1970s
February 1972 – a Chinese refugee camp. Photo: AFP/Georges Bendrihem.
hong kong in the 1970s
February 1972. Photo: AFP/STF.
hong kong in the 1970s
February 1972. Photo: AFP/Georges Bendrihem.
hong kong in the 1970s
February 1972 -Hong Kogng Island. Photo: AFP/Georges Bendrihem.
hong kong in the 1970s
Hong Kong Island, seen from Wan Chai, two years later, in 1974. Photo: AFP/Tommy Cheng.

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