Present-day Hong Kong is so synonymous with skyscrapers and fast-paced living that it’s sometimes easy to forget that it was little more than a fishing village just over 100 years ago. This makes LIFE photojournalist Co Rentmeester’s pictures of Hong Kong in 1969 even more striking. They depict a vivid bygone era, some remnants of which are still recognisable, like seniors taking a tai chi session in the park, and some of which are less so (rickshaws, anybody?).
While most of us weren’t lucky enough to experience this version of Hong Kong, there is still something charming, nostalgic and strangely familiar about the photos, like flipping through your grandparent’s photo albums.
Check out this blog for more photos!
