Hong Kong
The bustling commerce, scenic beauty and Oriental-European atmosphere of the famous British crown colony have been re-created in the Hong Kong pavilion and the adjoining Crown Colony Club, sponsored by the Hong Kong Trading Company, Inc. The pavilion - with upswept eaves, intense colors and intricate carvings - captures the spirit of Hong Kong architecture. It contains special Oriental exhibits and shops, and has a restaurant. The Crown Colony Club is a restaurant night club and exhibit area. Set in a landscaped garden dominated by three Chinese junks, it may be entered either from the pavilion or through the stern of one of the trio of junks.
The Hong Kong pavilion, seen here from the Swiss Sky Ride, was one of the most photographed exhibits at the Fair. Its unusual design and bright colors made it an instant hit with photographers. (CD #28 Set 128 #4)
Market Street. The first floor of the Hong Kong building suggests a busy, modern street market in the colony. On both sides sit little shops and stalls where jade and ivory pieces are carved to order, measurements are taken for custom clothing and a wide variety of other merchandise is sold.
Unfortunately the area was much more exciting on the outside than on the inside. The area was a cramped and chaotic collection of small shops all competing to attract business. Anyone hoping to learn about Hong Kong itself would have been very disappointed. (CD #TBD Set 359 #9)
The Club on Display. The entrance to the Crown Colony Club, flanked by tiny sampans and the huge junks with their multicolored sails, has the distinctive appearance of a Hong Kong dockside. On display in the club are antique furniture, richly colored rugs and art objects.
The erstwhile "Club" was basically a collection of small food and souvenir stands. This view of the entrance is from 1964. The junk on the right was removed in 1965 to provide more room for another snack bar. (CD #17 Set 249 #33)
Restaurants. Basket lunches may be purchased at an outdoor café, or entire meals in the two restaurants. In the restaurants, Chinese waiters bring trays of dishes to the tables; diners choose from hundreds of entrees, including Cantonese squab, duckling stuffed with shark fin, and shrimp and beef in lily leaves. At the Colony Club, music is provided for dancing, and Chinese opera singers, acrobats and other groups perform during the evening.
It looks like a slow day at one of the Hong Kong pavilion restaurants. Perhaps everyone was enjoying a cheaper Chinese meal over at the popular Chun King restaurant. (CD #49 Set 217 #35)
Want more information on the Hong Kong pavilion?
3-14-63 - Roof Raising booklet