The exhibition From the Bund to the Harbour: Canton and Hong Kong Reconnected, a collaborative event organised by Link, the Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History and the Department of Chinese and History at the City University of Hong Kong, concluded successfully on 17 October. Drawing an impressive number of about 64,400 visitors, the event set a record with a peak single-day attendance of nearly 4,0000 on 29 September. Many visitors commended the exhibition for its meaningful and engaging content, enriching their understanding of Hong Kong and Guangzhou’s commercial, cultural and entertainment ties in modern history.

Octogenarian reminisces Guangzhou’s profound impact on Hong Kong

On the first Saturday after the exhibition’s opening, Channel 823 met an 80-year-old visitor, Mr Tang. While exploring the exhibition together, Mr Tang shared his fond memories of the historical ties between Guangdong and Hong Kong: “I graduated from The University of Hong Kong in the 1960s and travelled to Guangzhou during that time. I stayed at both the Oriental Hotel and the Xinhua Hotel, which are featured on the display boards of the exhibition. The rooms were very clean, comfortable and well-managed.” Seeing a photo of the Oi Kwan Hotel, Mr Tang reminisced: “That building left a deep impression on me. At 15 storeys high, it was considered one of the tallest structures in South China at the time.”

Upon seeing photos of the Canton Pok Tsai Hospital, where Sun Yat-sen studied, as well as Guangzhou’s True Light Middle School and Pooi To Middle School, Mr Tang reflected nostalgically: “Hong Kong and Guangzhou share deep connections in culture, education, politics and architecture. Both True Light Middle School and Pooi To Middle School later relocated to Hong Kong, and they continue to operate to this day, demonstrating the significant influence of the Mainland on Hong Kong.”

History buff applauds exhibition’s rich content, enthralled by Changdi footage

Another visitor, Mr Lung, an avid history enthusiast, made a beeline for the exhibition as soon as he learnt of its theme. “I was particularly captivated by the photos of Changdi from the 1920s onwards,” he explained. “They offer a fascinating window into an era that feels both distant and familiar. I visited Guangzhou twice last year and explored the Changdi area. What delighted me most was seeing how many historical buildings have been preserved, including the Canton Customs House and Guangdong Post Office. It’s truly remarkable.”

Mr Lung also remarked that the exhibition’s title, “Canton-Hong Kong Reconnected”, perfectly encapsulated the historical exchanges between the two cities. For instance, the Hong Kong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Company played a vital role in the livelihoods and economic activities of people residing in both cities. “Another example is Sincere Company, which also has a presence in Hong Kong. In the realm of entertainment, Chinese opera legends like Ma Si-tsang and Sit Kok-sin, who are renowned in Hong Kong, performed in Guangzhou during their early years. These photos deeply resonated with me, underscoring the enduring ties between the two cities.”

Ms Lam, another visitor, also found the section on Changdi particularly engaging. She shared, “About 20 years ago, I worked in Guangzhou and had heard about Changdi, but didn’t know much about its history. Today, seeing the detailed explanations of its historical development along with the stunning footage of Changdi’s scenery on a large screen has truly enriched my understanding and given me a sense of being there.”

She went on to express how the exhibition made her appreciate that renowned Hong Kong schools like True Light and Pooi To originated in Guangzhou. “Guangzhou was evidently a pioneer in cultural education. These educational institutions relocated to Hong Kong in the 1940s due to the war, demonstrating their unwavering passion and commitment to education during challenging times.”

Exhibition appeals to all ages, interactive games preserve lasting memories

Ms Tang, who visited the exhibition with her two daughters, appreciated the captivating Changdi scenery on the big screen. Her daughters, meanwhile, were most thrilled by the interactive stamping game on the Changdi scroll. Ms Tang remarked, “The stamping activity really helps children visualise the locations of various buildings. It’s quite educational and the scroll can be kept as a souvenir.”

Ms Choi, a resident near Lok Wah Shopping Centre, made a special trip across districts to attend the exhibition. A frequent visitor to Guangzhou to see her relatives, she praised the exhibition for its rich historical flavour. “In the past, I rarely explored Guangzhou’s tourist attractions or historical landmarks. Through this exhibition’s informative text and photos, I’ve learnt much more about the historical sites. I hadn’t realised Guangzhou and Hong Kong had such deep connections. I’ll definitely encourage my family too to visit and see it.”

“From the Bund to the Harbour: Canton-Hong Kong Reconnected” marked the first cultural and tourism event organised by a Mainland museum at a shopping mall in Hong Kong. With its deep root in the Hong Kong community, Link is a proud co-organiser of the exhibition and it aimed to exemplify the concept that “history is all around us”, bringing the shared heritage of Guangdong and Hong Kong to life, resonating with visitors and leaving a lasting impact on their hearts and minds.