Opening of the Kowloon–Canton Railway British Section

The opening of the Kowloon–Canton Railway British Section on December 21, 1910, marked a pivotal moment in the development of rail transportation in southern China and the then-British colony of Hong Kong. Construction of this line was part of a broader Anglo‑Chinese project to create a continuous railway from Guangzhou (Canton) to the deep-water port of Kowloon. The British Section ran from Tsim Sha Tsui to the Shenzhen River, where it connected with the Chinese portion of the line. The route passed through rugged coastal terrain, requiring significant engineering works including tunnels and viaducts. When the line entered service, it dramatically improved travel and trade between Hong Kong and Guangdong Province, reducing journey times and accelerating the movement of goods such as rice, ceramics, and manufactured products. The KCR quickly became one of the region’s arterial transport links and played an essential role in Hong Kong’s economic development throughout the 20th century. The line remains vital today as part of Hong Kong’s modern East Rail Line.