The early history of railways in Hong Kong

HK: The first mode of transport for the public in Hong Kong was the Peak Tram, serving The Peak (at Victoria Gap), the Mid Levels and the city centre since 1888.

The idea of constructing a railway between Hong Kong and the Mainland was first put forward as early as 1864 by a British railway engineer, MacDonald Stephenson, who had played an important role in the initial development of railways in India. Unfortunately he found little support from either the Imperial Chinese Government in Peking, or most of the prominent businessmen in Hong Kong, and the idea was not given further serious consideration for about the next 30 years.

The idea re-emerged in the 1890s as a result of the various European powers competing to extend their influence in China. The British Government was particularly concerned about competition from the French in Southern China, and obtained a number of railway concessions from the Imperial Chinese Government for the British and Chinese Corporation, a joint venture formed in 1898 between the trading company of Jardine Matheson and Company, and the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank. These concessions included the right to construct and operate a railway from Kowloon to Canton.

While some preliminary survey work was undertaken, obtaining funds to construct the railway proved difficult. In late 1904 it was decided that the length of railway within Hong Kong, from Tsim Sha Tsui to Lo Wu (the British Section), would be constructed by the Hong Kong Government, leaving the rest of the railway from Lo Wu to Canton (the Chinese Section) to be constructed by the British and Chinese Corporation.

Source: KCRC.com
This article was first posted on 2nd March 2026.
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