Hong Kong to Taipei

Residential apartment blocks in the New Territories. There are estimated to be 6,426 citizens per square kilometre as development pushes people further upwards.

An aerial view of Nanshan in Shenzen - this is a tiny proportion of an enormous city, but it highlights the large number of high-rise developments, with further land being reclaimed from the sea.

Old ways of life alongside modern high rises in Hong Kong: this border village close to Shenzhen shows skyscrapers being built in the distance.

A night-view of the dazzling skyline of Hong Kong harbour, an international financial capital and centre for business and growth within the Pearl River Delta.

1908 - The fishing village of Tai O, on the western side of Lantau Island. Tai O is still a popular tourist destination today, maintaining traditional fishing techniques.

Chinese white dolphins are endangered but live in the Pearl River Estuary and can be seen off the coast of Hong Kong Airport. Pollution and shipping are two of their greatest threats.

c. 1890 - A view of Victoria Harbour from the Peak, when Hong Kong was still relatively undeveloped - notice the small number of buildings and ships when compared with the harbour today.

c. 1900 - An aerial view of farmland in the New Territories, which became part of Hong Kong in 1898. Much of the area was undeveloped for many years and lay as farmland.

Shenzhen is now one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Once a small fishing village, it was singled out to become China's first Special Economic Zone, it is now China's second busiest port after Shanghai.

A map of the Pearl River Delta dating from 1888. Macau, Hong Kong and Canton (now known as Guangzhou) are visible running inland up the Pearl River.

The Pearl River Delta, highlighting the mainland prefectures and the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau in green.

Huizhou is the most easterly city of the Pearl River Delta, whose success has focused on the rapidly growing property market across the Delta and southern China.

Macau was once a Portuguese colony and is now the only other Special Administrative Region of China. One of the richest cities in the world, its wealth is built around tourism, especially gambling.

1910 - An expatriate mother and child pose with their private rickshaw outside their house near the waterfront in Kowloon.

1897 - Queen's Road Central, which is now part of the main business district of Hong Kong, decked out in traditional decorations for Chinese New Year.

1897 - Expatriates and locals fill the stands at the Happy Valley Racecourse to inspect a review of British Troops.

1897 - The reception hall at Tung Wah hospital, decorated in traditional Chinese style including an altar for those visiting patients to leave offerings and prayers for the sick.

1897 - A pavilion in traditional Chinese style erected to house a seasonal flower show, possibly during the autumnal Lantern Festival.

The old Hong Kong colonial flag, used between 1959 and 1997, reflecting Hong Kong's status as a British Crown Colony. This has now been replaced with a flag depicting the bauhinia, its local flower.

A traditional Chinese junk sails alongside the Star Ferry in Hong Kong harbour. Although taken in 2010, this image is representative of a view seen in the harbour since 1888.

1897 - Extravagant houses built for rich expatriates in the hills of Magazine Gap, heading up from Victoria Harbour towards the Peak.

1908 - The Peak Tram cable railway, running from Central to the Peak through Mid-Levels. Built in 1888, the tram service is still in operation today.

1908 - Government House, the seat of British rule when Hong Kong was a colony. Now the residence of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, it now surround by high-rise office blocks and apartments.

A pre-1869 painting of Hong Kong Island, before Hong Kong was fully established as a colonial territory.

1897 - Decorations line Queens Road Central, now part of the major business district in Hong Kong, in celebration of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

A rickshaw with its classic green and red livery plies its trade outside the Star Ferry Terminal in Central. Rickshaws were still in use at the turn of the 21st century.

The iconic Star Ferry at its terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, with the incredible Central Harbour skyline behind it: a perfect juxtaposition of modern development and traditional ways.

The Peak Tram funicular railway passes up through the Mid-Levels en-route to Victoria Peak. This service replaced sedan chairs in 1888 and is still in operation today.

Lion dances are carried out in the traditional way for celebrations such as the opening of a new modern skyscraper. The lion's eyes will be painted on by an important bystander.

Sir Norman Foster's iconic HSBC Headquarters building. Built in 1985, the original bronze lions (complete with bullet holes from the WWII Battle of Hong Kong) still stand outside the foyer.

Traditional trams still operate across the north of Hong Kong Island, weaving their way between skyscrapers. However, they now make use of modern Oyster card-style technology.

Buildings on the Victoria waterfront taking part in the "Symphony of Lights", a ten minute nightly lights display to promote Hong Kong's incredible skyline.

A typical Hong Kong street market in Graham Street. Small stalls squeeze into the tiny lanes between huge office and apartment blocks, with bright awnings and stalls packed into every space.

The Mid-Level escalator system is the longest in the world. Weaving its way past offices and apartment blocks, it covers over 800 metres and is used by thousands to commute every day.

A Chinese medicine shop in Hong Kong. Traditional Chinese remedies made with herbs, plants and animal parts are often still used alongside or instead of "conventional" Western medicines.

Hong Kong's iconic harbour, with the Bank of China (two pronged tower) and Two International Finance Centre (tallest building) rising above the skyscrapers and Victoria Peak visible behind.

A view of Hong Kong harbour from Victoria Peak, with the Star Ferry, HSBC building and two-pronged Bank of China buildings clearly visible.

Jade amulets and charms for sale within the Jade Market in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Superstitions state that jade protects the wearer from harm, taking the force of any accident or trauma.

The Noon-Day Gun, a colonial relic, is still fired everyday. It was made famous by Noel Coward in his song "Mad Dogs and Englishmen", written in 1931.