Bamboo scaffolding has been used in south China for centuries and has played an important part in the building of Hong Kong since the 1840s.     

Building Taikoo Sugar Refinery 1882-1884
This series of photographs show the intensive use of bamboo scaffolding in the construction of Taikoo Sugar Refinery in Quarry Bay between 1882 and 1884.  The huge compound, which included the refinery proper, warehouses, boiler rooms, offices and quarters for staff, dominated the landscape of Eastern Hong Kong Island for many years. 

Central District Landmark
Soon after the British occupation of Hong Kong in 1841, Central District became the centre for government and business.  Photographs in this section show bamboo scaffolding being used in the construction of some of the landmark buildings.

Funeral ramps
Funeral ramps were a common sight in old Hong Kong.  When people died on the upper floors of tenement buildings, a convenient means to transport the coffin to the street was by using a bamboo ramp, as the staircases were too steep and narrow.  Most likely too, neighbours would have objected to coffins being carried past their homes because of the bad luck they would bring.

Matsheds
Matsheds were also used all over Hong Kong as spectator stands, beach houses, temporary residence and exhibition venues.