This course aims to enrich students’ knowledge of history of Hong Kong since the Tang dynasty to modern period (before 1997). They will be familiarised with the role that Hong Kong, as a city in South China, has played in Chinese history and world history. In order to differentiate this course from existing similar courses and show its uniqueness, special topics in four areas will be addressed: 1. Using archaeological materials, local records, buildings and Ming-Qing local gazetteers of South China to construct the history of Hong Kong before 1840 such as Tang Buddhist monks, migration and local clans in Song dynasty, export trade in Ming dynasty as well as Zhang Baozai (張保仔, also known as Cheung Po Tsai) and the history of pirates in Qing dynasty; 2. Hong Kong local culture such as religious activities, festivals, events etc; 3. The importance of Hong Kong in modern Chinese history; 4. How important affairs have affected the development of Hong Kong in the past 150 years. Through reading relevant documents and literature, field work and interviews, students are led to observe and reflect on current phenomena and events.