https://www.scmp.com/rss/522078/feed Alexander Mak joined the SCMP in 2024. Before joining the Post, Alexander was a photojournalist covering news, feature and travel stories from Hong Kong to Europe. He graduated with a master's degree from SOAS, University of London, majoring in International Politics. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Alexander Mak Alexander Mak From the 1960s to the 90s, Hong Kong’s watch industry thrived on the skill and hard work of watchmakers, factory workers and traders. Using imported movements and efficient assembly lines, the city’s watch exports increased eightfold during the 70s. By the early 90s, Hong Kong was the world’s leading exporter by quantity, the city having pivoted quickly to producing inexpensive quartz movements and supplying nearly 70 per cent of the world’s watches. As production migrated to mainland China due... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3349668/pictures-hong-kongs-watchmaking-industry-through-decades?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3349668/pictures-hong-kongs-watchmaking-industry-through-decades?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:10 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Since the whistle was first blown on March 28, 1976, the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament has grown from a regional invitational into a global spectacle, expanding from 12 teams in its inaugural edition to 30, competing in three distinct competitions, in 2026. In those 50 years – from the early days at the Hong Kong Football Club, in Happy Valley, through the Hong Kong Stadium era to games at its current home, the Kai Tak Sports Park – the contest has transformed dramatically, a pair of... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3349385/pictures-50-years-mud-sweat-and-beers-hong-kong-rugby-sevens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3349385/pictures-50-years-mud-sweat-and-beers-hong-kong-rugby-sevens?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:00:10 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Hong Kong’s public art scene took off in the 1970s, with large installations on display that reflected the city’s changing culture. Works such as Henry Moore’s Double Oval (1977), André Heller’s The Bamboo Man (1992) and Cao Chong-en’s Bruce Lee Statue (2005) highlight Hong Kong’s unique blend of East and West, tradition and modernity. These works made art more accessible to everyone, allowing people to engage with and experience art in their everyday surroundings. Some of these artworks are... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3347146/pictures-hong-kongs-public-art-sculptures-1970s-today?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3347146/pictures-hong-kongs-public-art-sculptures-1970s-today?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 07:00:09 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Horse riding in Hong Kong has long been the preserve of the upper crust, with the high cost of keeping a horse limiting it primarily to the wealthy in this densely populated, space-starved city. In the 1970s, the Hong Kong Jockey Club took a pioneering step to democratise the sport, establishing public riding schools, including the Pok Fu Lam Riding School (established in 1978) and later, the Tuen Mun Riding School (opened in 1994). These schools were designed to provide access to horse riding... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3345658/pictures-horse-play-hong-kong-1970s-2000s?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3345658/pictures-horse-play-hong-kong-1970s-2000s?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Mar 2026 03:00:09 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Lunar New Year begins with an almost instinctive search for auspicious signs. Here is a look back at traditional festive customs meant to secure a lucky start for the year ahead – many of which continue to shape the city’s celebrations. Temple visits Worshippers head to Wong Tai Sin Temple in Kowloon, Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin and other temples to seek guidance, protection and prosperity for the year ahead. Wish-making at Lam Tsuen At Lam Tsuen in Tai Po, wishes are written on paper... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3343674/pictures-hong-kongs-chinese-new-year-obsession-good-fortune?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3343674/pictures-hong-kongs-chinese-new-year-obsession-good-fortune?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Feb 2026 03:00:10 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Visiting the flower markets This is a long-standing Lunar New Year custom in Hong Kong, with the largest crowds gathering at Victoria Park. Flowers carry symbolic meaning – orchids for abundance, oranges for wealth and luck – and each year, residents shop with hopes of an auspicious start. Shopping for the Lunar New Year Before the Lunar New Year, shoppers flock to department stores and grocers to stock up on gifts and festive foods for friends and family. Not everything would fly off the... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3342595/pictures-hong-kong-readies-lunar-new-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3342595/pictures-hong-kong-readies-lunar-new-year?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 04:00:11 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Freezing temperatures are rare in Hong Kong, and frost is rarer still. But in decades past, a handful of particularly cold days transformed Tai Mo Shan into an ice-crusted winterscape. Here’s a look back at how South China Morning Post photographers captured Hong Kong’s frostiest moments from the 1970s to the 2010s. https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3340631/pictures-hong-kongs-coldest-days-1970s-2010s?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3340631/pictures-hong-kongs-coldest-days-1970s-2010s?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 07:15:07 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak From the 1970s to the 2010s, Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour saw its fair share of sailing ships arriving from across the globe. Here’s how South China Morning Post photographers captured the arrival of these classic vessels. https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3339322/pictures-majestic-sailing-ships-made-hong-kong-port-call?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3339322/pictures-majestic-sailing-ships-made-hong-kong-port-call?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 04:00:15 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak For nearly 50 years, the New Year Winter Swimming Lifesaving Championships have represented a tradition of courage in Hong Kong, challenging participants with a 600-metre course from Middle Bay Beach to Repulse Bay Jetty. The fastest swimmers are crowned champions in various age groups and categories, including student and open divisions. Join us as we delve into the South China Morning Post’s picture archives, featuring generations of brave swimmers plunging into icy waters on the first day of... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3338235/pictures-hong-kong-swimmers-braving-cold-new-years-day-1970s-2000s?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3338235/pictures-hong-kong-swimmers-braving-cold-new-years-day-1970s-2000s?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 31 Dec 2025 22:00:10 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Hong Kong has long since embraced the joy of Christmas and New Year’s Eve, with festive gatherings being at the heart of the season, with holiday food, drinks and dancing aplenty. Through the lens of South China Morning Post photographers, we look back at these celebrations from the 1970s to the 90s – from lively corporate parties to charity events that brought smiles to the disadvantaged. These moments show how Hong Kong people came together, year after year, to share laughter and the simple... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3337446/pictures-christmas-and-new-years-eve-parties-hong-kong-1970s-90s?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3337446/pictures-christmas-and-new-years-eve-parties-hong-kong-1970s-90s?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Dec 2025 08:00:09 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak The 1970s, 80s and 90s were decades in which December grew into a lively festival season in Hong Kong – one that blended Western traditions with the city’s unique charms. Here’s how South China Morning Post photographers captured some of that Christmas magic. Christmas shopping Sending Christmas cards Enjoying the Christmas lights Feasting for Christmas https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3336997/pictures-how-hong-kong-celebrated-christmas-1970s-90s?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3336997/pictures-how-hong-kong-celebrated-christmas-1970s-90s?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Dec 2025 07:15:08 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak In the 1980s and 90s, open-air food stalls were a common sight in Hong Kong and during the colder months, hotpot was a dish of choice for those dining alfresco. The steaming pot not only offered a variety of rich flavours but also a cosy way to bring family and friends together, sharing food and laughter to warm the chilly nights. For those preferring a more comfortable setting, Cantonese snake-soup restaurants offered another popular winter staple, the warming tonic having been supped by... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3335320/pictures-what-are-hong-kongs-most-beloved-winter-foods-snapshots-1970s-2000s?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3335320/pictures-what-are-hong-kongs-most-beloved-winter-foods-snapshots-1970s-2000s?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Dec 2025 22:00:18 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak From the 1960s to the 80s, Hong Kong’s textile and garment industry was the engine driving the city’s remarkable economic boom. Fuelled by an influx of capital, technology and skilled labour, local factories flourished, transforming the city into one of the world’s leading garment exporters. In those busy workshops, the sound of sewing machines never stopped. Workers stitched fabric into clothes that ended up in shops from London to New York and beyond. But by the 1990s, many factories had moved... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3332804/pictures-when-textiles-drove-golden-age-made-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3332804/pictures-when-textiles-drove-golden-age-made-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Nov 2025 03:00:09 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Halloween, much like China’s Hungry Ghost Festival, has its roots in tales of spirits and the supernatural. But unlike the more solemn tone of the Hungry Ghost Festival, Halloween in Hong Kong has evolved into a lively, playful celebration, fuelled by the city’s creativity and curiosity, and inspired by both Western and local traditions. Although there’s no clear record of when the city began embracing Halloween, photographs from the 1980s show small-scale school parties with children dressing... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3330900/pictures-how-hong-kong-made-halloween-its-own?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3330900/pictures-how-hong-kong-made-halloween-its-own?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2025 08:00:26 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Back in the 1980s and 90s, stamp collecting was a popular pastime in Hong Kong. From Queen Elizabeth’s 60th birthday in 1986 to special issues for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, limited-edition stamps celebrated important moments and were highly sought after. Long queues often formed outside post offices on issue days as collectors eagerly awaited new designs that captured the city’s milestones. These stamps also came with what were known as “first-day covers”, which bore the official date of... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3329761/pictures-hong-kongs-most-enthusiastic-stamp-collectors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3329761/pictures-hong-kongs-most-enthusiastic-stamp-collectors?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Oct 2025 08:30:20 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Before 1992, Sheung Wan’s Tai Tat Tei or “Poor Man’s Nightclub” was a vibrant open space where market stalls, dai pai dong, Chinese opera, fortune-telling and all manner of entertainment came together, forming a hub for workaday shoppers and pleasure seekers while providing a means of livelihood for hawkers and street performers. Throughout the 1980s, it offered tourists a glimpse into the city’s everyday rhythm and character. August 2, 1992, was the last day of operations, as the site across... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3328778/pictures-hong-kongs-poor-mans-nightclub-popular-outdoor-bazaar-1980s?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3328778/pictures-hong-kongs-poor-mans-nightclub-popular-outdoor-bazaar-1980s?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 07:15:07 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important traditional Chinese celebrations in Hong Kong. Every year, families gather under the light of the full moon while children enjoy the lanterns that set public parks aglow. For those seeking livelier celebrations, fire dragon dances add excitement to the festivities. Tai Hang and Pok Fu Lam are wreathed in smoke as the fiery dragons wind their way through the streets, accompanied by rhythmic drumming, burning incense and a strong sense of community... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3327963/pictures-how-mid-autumn-festival-was-celebrated-hong-kong-1970s-90s?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3327963/pictures-how-mid-autumn-festival-was-celebrated-hong-kong-1970s-90s?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Oct 2025 08:15:11 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak When Ocean Terminal opened in March 1966, it was the world’s first marine pier integrated with a shopping centre and Asia’s first American-style shopping mall. Beyond being Hong Kong’s first cruise terminal, it quickly became a beloved gathering place, where families strolled the decks and crowds came to watch New Year fireworks and admire the skyline. Through the years, Ocean Terminal and Harbour City have been interchangeable. The sprawling complex has grown into a maze of malls and arcades –... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3327241/pictures-hong-kongs-ocean-terminal-opened-1966-marrying-marine-pier-mall?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3327241/pictures-hong-kongs-ocean-terminal-opened-1966-marrying-marine-pier-mall?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Sep 2025 11:15:11 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Before the iPhones, Androids and other smartphones we have today, back in the 1980s most Hongkongers depended on landlines at home or in the office. Without a portable phone, stepping out meant losing connection with your colleagues or loved ones. The first generation of mobile phones in Hong Kong were bulky, heavy and very expensive, earning them the nickname “Big Brother” in Chinese. Pulling one out on a busy street was a power move – at the time, only business leaders and the wealthy elite... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3326367/pictures-big-bulky-mobile-phones-during-1980s-and-90s-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3326367/pictures-big-bulky-mobile-phones-during-1980s-and-90s-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Sep 2025 10:15:08 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak In the 1980s, life in the New Territories was changing rapidly. New housing estates were opening in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long, yet travelling remained a daily struggle for many residents, as buses and minibuses were the only public transport linking the areas. To meet the needs of these growing communities, the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) set out in 1984 to build Hong Kong’s first modern Light Rail Transit (LRT) system. The single-deck light rail service was designed to provide fast... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3325560/pictures-when-light-rail-transit-system-changed-travel-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3325560/pictures-when-light-rail-transit-system-changed-travel-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Sep 2025 07:15:07 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak After two years of construction, Hong Kong Disneyland opened its gates to the public on September 12, 2005, bringing a touch of magic to Penny’s Bay on Lantau Island. Although it is the smallest worldwide, as the first and only Disney park in Greater China until Shanghai Disneyland opened in 2016, the prime location and local cultural elements still make the Hong Kong park a beloved attraction for tourists and residents alike. Here’s a look back at opening day – and the lead-up to it. https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3324974/pictures-when-disneyland-opened-hong-kong-first-park-greater-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3324974/pictures-when-disneyland-opened-hong-kong-first-park-greater-china?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Sep 2025 22:15:08 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Once a year, the streets of Hong Kong fill with the scent of burning paper offerings, the haunting sounds of Chinese opera echoing from bamboo theatres in observance of the Hungry Ghost Festival, or Yulan Festival, traditionally held on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. Buddhists and Taoists believe that during this “ghost month”, the gates of the underworld open and spirits return to the living world. To appease these wandering souls, Hongkongers prepare food, incense and paper money,... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3324056/pictures-underworlds-gates-open-hungry-ghost-festival-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3324056/pictures-underworlds-gates-open-hungry-ghost-festival-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Sep 2025 11:00:10 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak With its signature bitterness, leung cha (“cooling tea”) may not be everyone’s beverage of choice, but it has long been valued for restoring balance to the body according to traditional Chinese medicine principles. The first herbal tea shop is thought to have been established in Guangzhou in 1828, and people in southern China often quaff the drink to counteract the hot and humid climate. By dispelling excess “internal heat”, the infusion is believed to alleviate various ailments and improve... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3323162/pictures-enduring-appeal-hong-kongs-herbal-tea-shops?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3323162/pictures-enduring-appeal-hong-kongs-herbal-tea-shops?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Aug 2025 10:15:08 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Long before the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal – long before airliners started landing at Kai Tak Airport, even – leisure passengers would arrive in Hong Kong by ship in their thousands. After arriving in the city, some would continue by train to Guangdong province, and explore deeper into mainland China. Here, we present South China Morning Post photographs from the decks of those giant cruise liners – and from the shore. https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3322239/pictures-cruise-liners-sailing-hong-kong-1970s-and-80s?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3322239/pictures-cruise-liners-sailing-hong-kong-1970s-and-80s?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2025 10:55:46 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Haircuts are not just a basic necessity – they also reflect Hong Kong’s cultural evolution and economic development. Back in the day, roadside barbers and small back-alley salons just offered quick trims. These affordable services were popular among working-class families. During the 1940s and 50s, a wave of Shanghai immigrants brought with them refined hair styling and shaving techniques. Shanghai-style salons quickly set a new trend, offering elegant and quality grooming in addition to the... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3321412/pictures-streets-or-salons-hong-kong-barbers-make-cut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3321412/pictures-streets-or-salons-hong-kong-barbers-make-cut?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Aug 2025 10:15:07 +0000 Alexander Mak Alexander Mak Long before chain supermarkets and convenience stores became the norm, small family-run shops were fixtures of Hong Kong’s neighbourhoods. Stocked with rice, soy sauce and other household staples, they were sites of vibrant exchanges in the local community. These stores provided affordable daily goods to their customers, and brought in a steady stream of income for small business owners. They were an essential part of everyday life for Hongkongers. Today, the number of these shops across Hong... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3320677/pictures-hong-kongs-local-grocery-stores-through-decades?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3320677/pictures-hong-kongs-local-grocery-stores-through-decades?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Aug 2025 10:00:27 +0000