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Many fascinating Chinese
and colonial heritage sites still exist in Hong Kong, reflecting more
than 5,000 years of Chinese and more than 150 years of British
colonial heritage. The following is a list of important heritage sites
that are easily accessible. An * denotes they are not open to the
public. Government House is open on special occasions.
Easily Accessible Declared
Monument :
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HONG KONG ISLAND3 <COLONIAL>
1. Duddell Street Steps
& Gas Lamps (Central)
These
fine wide stone steps connect Ice House Street with Duddell
Street. The lamps at the head and foot of the steps, built
between 1875 and 1889, are surmounted on either side by the only
four gas lamps remaining in Hong Kong.
Directions :
MTR to Central station and take The Landmark shopping mall exit.
Once outside cross the narrow part of Ice House Street, then
Queen's Road Central at the lights and the upper part of Ice
House Street, also at the lights. Walk west along Queen's Road
Central, Duddell Street is the first small street on the left.
Temples
2. Tin Hau Temple
(Causeway Bay)
The
temple was built by the Tai family probably in the early 18th
Century. They often went to Causeway Bay to gather grass and
some family members found a statue of Tin Hau near the shore.
They erected a shelter for the statue and, as it became more
popular, a proper temple building was built with donations from
local boat people.
Directions :
Bus no. 25 from the bus terminus outside Pier no. 7 in
Central, alight at Tin Hau Temple Road. Or take the MTR to Tin
Hau station (Exit B), cross the road and walk along Tin Hau
Temple Road. The temple is on the right.
3. Old Stanley Police
Station (Stanley)
Built in
1859, this simple but attractive two-storey structure, with
verandas at the front and back, is one of the oldest surviving
police stations in Hong Kong.
Directions :
Bus no. 6 or no. 260 from Exchange Square bus terminus,
Central, Hong Kong Island, or bus no. 973 from Concordia Plaza
bus terminus, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon. Get off at Stanley
bus terminus, then walk along Stanley Village Road for about a
minute.
4. The Exterior of the
Old Supreme Court (Central)*
Opened on
15 January, 1912, the former Supreme Court was converted in 1985
to house the Legislative Council chambers. The two-storey
granite structure is neoclassical in style. (Not open to the
public.)
Directions :
From the Star Ferry, Central, walk across Connaught and
Chater roads; or MTR to Central and take the Legislative Council
Building exit.
5. The Exterior of the
Main Building, the University of Hong Kong (Pok Fu Lam)*
The Main
Building of the University of Hong Kong is the oldest of the
university's structures. Construction began in 1910 and was
completed in 1912. (Not open to the public.)
Directions :
Bus no. 3B from the bus stop in front of Jardine House,
Connaught Road Central; bus no. 23 from outside Pacific Place,
Admiralty; or bus no. 40 from Wan Chai Ferry Pier. Alight when
you see the university buildings at Bonham Road and Hing Hon
Road.
6.
Flagstaff House
(Central)
Located
in Hong Kong Park, Flagstaff House was built in 1846 and until
1932 was used as the residence of the Commander of the British
Forces in Hong Kong. It now houses the Museum of Tea Ware. Open
daily 10am-5pm, except Tuesday and some public holidays.
Directions :
MTR to Admiralty station, exit at Queensway Plaza. Walk over
the covered bridge to Pacific Place, then take the escalator up
to the entrance of Hong Kong Park.
7. Former French
Mission Building (Central)*
This
150-year-old building was acquired by the French Mission in
1915. A small granite plaque on an external wall states
extensive rebuilding was carried out in 1917. The building now
houses the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal. (Not open to the
public.)
Directions :
MTR to Central and exit at The Landmark shopping mall (or
walk from Star Ferry to The Landmark). Cross the narrow part of
Ice House Street, then cross Queen's Road Central at the lights.
Take Battery Path immediately on the left and walk to the end.
The building is on the left.
Chinese
Heritage
8.
Law Uk Hakka House (Chai
Wan)
Law Uk
(meaning the house of the Law family) is the only original
village house left intact in Chai Wan. Built about 200 years
ago, it is a typical medium-size Hakka village house. Restored
in 1989, the house is now a folk museum, open 10am-1pm and
2pm-6pm Monday to Wednesday, Friday to Saturday, and 1pm- 6pm
Sunday and public holidays. Closed Thursday.
Directions :
MTR to Chai Wan station. Take Exit B and follow the signs to
the museum, a walk of about five minutes.
9. Old Wan Chai Post
Office (Wan Chai)
The old
Wan Chai Post Office is the oldest surviving post office
building in Hong Kong. This building was erected between 1912
and 1913. It is now operated by the Environmental Protection
Department as a resources centre.
Directions :
Bus no. 6, 6A, 6X from Exchange Square bus terminus,
Central. Alight near the cigar-shaped tower of Hopewell Centre
on Queen's Road East.
10. Western Market
(Sheung Wan)
Completed
in 1906, the market has walls of red brick on a granite base, a
large, handsome granite arch over its main entrance, and four
corner towers highlighted in "bandaged" brickwork. In 1991, the
market was stylishly refurbished and is now home to small
handicraft shops, fabric merchants and a Chinese restaurant. The
market is open 10am-7pm daily.
Directions :
MTR to Sheung Wan station (Exit B or C). Walk 5-10 minutes
along Des Voeux Road Central and Western Market is on the left.
Or ride the tram towards Kennedy Town and get off at the market
opposite the Shun Tak Centre.
11. The Exterior of the
Main Building, the Helena May (Central)*
Completed
in 1916, the Helena May was the brainchild of Lady May, wife of
the Governor of Hong Kong from 1912 to 1919. Intended as a
hostel for working women of moderate means, today it provides
accommodation for women of all nationalities and is conveniently
located opposite the US Consulate. Of particular interest is the
exquisitely decorated entrance porch that is flanked on either
side by two neoclassical columns, adding to the Baroque-Rococo
look of the building. (Not open to the public.)
Directions :
Bus no. 15C from Edinburgh Place near the Star Ferry in
Central to the lower terminus of the Peak Tram on Garden Road.
From the terminus, walk up the left-hand side of Garden Road for
a few minutes.
12.
Central Police
Station Compound (Central)*
The
barrack block was built in 1864, the other blocks being added
between 1910 and 1925. This four-storey group of buildings is in
the classical style, with the whole of the front and the main
architectural features of the back constructed of cement
plaster, while the extension facing Hollywood Road is noted for
its brick construction and imposing columns in the entrance
hall. The police compound is now used as both the Hong Kong
Island Regional Headquarters and the Central District
Headquarters. (Not open to the public.)
Directions :
From Central MTR station (Exit D1), walk along Pedder Street
to Wyndham Street and walk up Wyndham's steep rise, following it
to the right as it becomes Hollywood Road. The police station is
on the left just past Arbuthnot Road.
13. Former Central
Magistracy (Central)*
Another
Magistracy dating from as early as 1847 originally stood on this
site, but was later demolished to make way for the present
building, which was completed in 1914. The Magistracy walls are
of Canton red brick faced with Amoy bricks on the outer surface.
The finely moulded cement-concrete pillars and other decorative
features follow the Greek revival style. A dressed granite
archway and pediment adorns the front entrance. (Not open to the
public.)
Directions :
From Central MTR station (Exit D1) walk along Pedder Street
to Wyndham Street and walk up Wyndham's steep rise, following it
to the right as it becomes Hollywood Road. Arbuthnot Road is the
first left.
14. Victoria Prison
Compound*
Although
this was one of the first buildings constructed of durable
materials in Hong Kong in 1841, within 20 years the prison space
was so inadequate that prisoners had to be moved to an island in
the harbour and also to a prison ship. Once additional
accommodation was added, the prison reopened and has remained in
use to the present day, except for short periods during the
1930s and 1940s. (Not open to the public.)
Directions :
From Central MTR station (Exit D1) walk along Pedder Street
to Wyndham Street and walk up Wyndham's steep rise, following it
to the right as it becomes Hollywood Road. On the left past the
Central Police Station is Old Bailey Street.
15. The Exterior of
University Hall, the University of Hong Kong (Pok Fu Lam)*
University Hall, on its imposing hilltop setting, is a charming
blend of Tudor and Gothic architectural styles. It was built
about 1861 by Douglas Lapraik, a Scottish businessman, who named
the two-storey building with its four corner towers Douglas
Castle. After the French Mission bought the house in 1894, the
building was renamed Nazareth House, and housed a dormitory, a
chapel, a library and a large printing house famous for printing
about 60,000 books annually in 28 languages. The University of
Hong Kong acquired the house in 1956 and converted it into a
men's residence hall, renaming it University Hall. (Not open to
the public.)
Directions :
Bus no. 7 from the bus terminus outside Pier no. 7 in
Central. Get off at the junction of Pokfulam Reservoir Road and
Pokfulam Road.
16. The Exterior of Hung Hing Ying Building, the University of Hong Kong (Pok Fu Lam)*
This
two-storey red-brick building stands opposite the Main Building
and has a distinctive central dome. It was originally designed
to house the student union. With the financial support of
benefactors such as Sir Paul Chater, the building was finally
completed and opened in 1919 by the Governor, Sir Reginald
Stubbs. In 1960 the east wing was added and in 1974 the building
was converted into the Senior Common Room, only later reverting
to administrative purposes. (Not open to the public.)
Directions :
Bus no. 3B from the bus stop in front of Jardine House on
Connaught Road, Central, bus no. 23 from outside Pacific Place
in Admiralty, or bus no. 40 from Wan Chai Ferry Pier. Alight at
the University buildings at Bonham Road and Hing Hon Road.
17. The Exterior of the
Tang Chi Ngong Building, the University of Hong Kong (Pok Fu
Lam)*
Construction work on this building to house the School of
Chinese Language began in 1929 with a generous donation from Mr
Tang Chi-ngong, the father of Sir Shiu-kin Tang, a well-known
local philanthropist. The building houses the Centre of Asian
Studies.(Not open to the public.)
Directions :
Bus no. 3B from the bus stop in front of Jardine House on
Connaught Road, Central, bus no. 23 from outside Pacific Place
in Admiralty, or bus no. 40 from Wan Chai Ferry Pier. Alight at
the University buildings at Bonham Road and Hing Hon Road.
18. Government House
(Central)*
Government House was formerly the office and residence of
previous Governors of Hong Kong. Construction began in 1851 and
took four years to complete. Government House enjoyed harbour
views until the present high-rise buildings in the vicinity were
constructed. It was originally built in the Georgian style and
bore rich colonial characteristics. It underwent a number of
large-scale renovations, with the latest undertaken in 1942,
during the Japanese occupation, by Japanese engineer Siechi
Fujimura, who designed a dominant central tower to link the two
original buildings. The roofs were also modified to produce a
more Japanese flavour, thus diminishing the strong European
style of the mansion, which was then used as the Japanese
military headquarters. Since the establishment of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Government House has been
used by the Chief Executive and the Government to hold important
official functions. (Not open to the public except during
special occasions. Please contact the Government House enquiries
number at +852 2530 2003, or the AMO for details.)
Directions :
From outside Jardine House or Connaught Road, Central, take
bus no. 3B and alight at St. Joseph Church on Cotton Tree Drive.
Cross to Upper Albert Road, Government House is on the right.
Or, take bus no. 15C from Edinburgh Place near the Star Ferry to
the lower terminus of the Peak Tram on Garden Road. From the
terminus, cross Garden Road and turn right into Upper Albert
Road.
19. St. John's Cathedral
(Central)
The
cathedral is the oldest surviving Western ecclesiastical
building in Hong Kong, and is believed to be the oldest Anglican
church in the Far East. Built in a style adapted from both the
13th-century Early English and Decorated Gothic styles,
construction was completed in 1849 under Bishop George Smith,
first Bishop of Victoria. Due to a shortage of funds, the tower
was finished a year later. An eastern extension was added in
1873, the foundation stone laid by His Royal Highness The Duke
of Edinburgh. During the Japanese occupation, the cathedral
suffered heavy damage; most of the present interior design and
furnishings are post-war. It was also during this period that
the church was used as a social club for the Japanese community.
Open 7am-6pm daily.
Directions :
From Star Ferry in Central, take a short taxi ride. Or, from
the Queen's Road Central entrance to the Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation Limited Main Building, walk a few minutes up
the stone steps on the other side of the road to Battery Path,
which leads to the Cathedral. |
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KOW LOON
<COLONIAL>
1. Hong Kong Observatory (Tsim Sha Tsui)*
The Hong
Kong Observatory was built in 1883. It is a rectangular
two-storey, plastered brick structure with arched windows and long
verandas, and stands on a small hill in Tsim Sha Tsui. It was
declared a monument in 1984 and continues to monitor the weather
in Hong Kong. (Group visits by arrangement only.)
Directions :
From either the Star Ferry or Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station (Exit B1),
walk north towards Jordan on Nathan Road (Kowloon Park is on the
left) and turn right into Observatory Road.
Chinese Heritage
2. Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb (Sham Shui Po)
This
ancient tomb was discovered in 1955 when workmen levelled a hill
slope to make way for the surrounding Lei Cheng Uk Estate. Around
58 pottery and bronze objects were found inside the tomb, which is
believed to have been constructed during the Eastern Han Dynasty
(AD25-220). The tomb is now a museum, open 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm
daily except Thursday and some public holidays; 1pm-6pm on Sunday
and public holidays.
Directions :
MTR to Cheung Sha Wan station (Exit A3). Follow the signs,
walking along Tonkin Street for 10 minutes. Or take bus no. 2 from
the Star Ferry in Tsim Sha Tsui, alight at Tonkin Street and walk
north.
3. Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower (Tsim Sha Tsui)*
The clock
tower was completed and came into operation in 1921 as a part of
the Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) Terminus. The terminus was moved
to Hung Hom in 1975 and now only the clock tower remains to mark
the site of the original railway terminus. Open 10am-6pm every
Sunday to the public. Admission free.
Directions :
Ride the Star Ferry or MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui. The tower is located
next to the Star Concourse.
4. Former Kowloon British School (Tsim Sha Tsui)*
Completed
in 1902, this is the oldest surviving school building constructed
for foreign residents in Hong Kong. The architecture is typical of
many English schools of the Victorian era. The building houses the
Antiquities and Monuments Office.
Directions :
MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui station. Take Exit B1 or B2 to Cameron
Road and walk north along Nathan Road.
5. Former Marine Police Headquarters Compound (Tsim Sha Tsui)*
This superb
group of buildings, with its commanding position overlooking the
harbour, was gazetted as a historical monument in 1994 and has
been designated as one of the four oldest surviving government
buildings. The Marine Police have been on the site since the
construction of the compound in 1884, except during the Japanese
occupation of 1941-45. The compound comprises a main building, a
stable block and the special feature of a two-storey time-signal
tower, where a time ball was dropped at 1pm every day until 1907
to enable ships in the harbour to check their chronometers. (Not
open to the public.)
Directions :
The headquarters sits next to the Salisbury YMCA near the
junction of Canton Road and Salisbury Road, about two minutes walk
from the Kowloon Star Ferry Concourse or the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR
station.
Chinese Heritage
6. Remnants of the South Gate of Kowloon Walled City (Kowloon City)
The Kowloon
Walled City was a garrison town built by the Qing government in
1847 as a military outpost. In 1987, it was announced the Walled
City would be cleared and replaced with a park. Archaeological
investigations were conducted and revealed foundations of the
original South and East Gates were particularly well preserved.
The most important discovery was the two stone plaques bearing the
characters "South Gate" and "Kowloon Walled City" of the original
South Gate. The park is open daily, 6:30am-11pm.
Directions :
Bus no. 1 from Star Ferry Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui, alight at Tung
Tau Tsuen Road (opposite the park). Or take the MTR to Lok Fu
station (Exit B), then either take a short taxi ride to the park,
or walk along Junction Road and Tung Tau Tsuen Road (about 20
minutes).
7. Former Yamen Building of Kowloon Walled City
(Kowloon City)
The Kowloon
Walled City was a garrison town built by the Qing government in
1847 as a military outpost. The Yamen building, a three-hall
structure, was originally the administrative office of the
Assistant Magistrate of Kowloon. In 1987, it was announced the
Walled City would be cleared and replaced by a park. The Yamen has
been preserved and restored. Park open 6:30am-11pm daily.
Directions :
Bus no. 1 from Star Ferry Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui, and alight at
Tung Tau Tsuen Road (opposite the park). Or take the MTR to Lok Fu
station (Exit B), then either take a short taxi ride to the park,
or walk along Junction Road and Tung Tau Tsuen Road (about 20
minutes). |
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NEW TERRITORIES
Chinese Heritage
1.
Sam
Tung Uk Village (Tsuen Wan)
The Chan
clan built this square-walled Hakka village in 1786. After
undergoing extensive repairs and restoration, it opened as a folk
museum in 1987. Open 9am-5pm daily, except Tuesday and some public
holidays.
Directions :
MTR to
Tsuen Wan station (Exit E). Follow the signs to the museum, about
a 5-10 minute walk.
Temples
2. Man
Mo Temple (Tai Po)
Located on
Fu Shin Street, the temple was built nearly a century ago by the
Tsat Yeuk Community of Tai Po to mark the founding of Tai Wo Shi
(Tai Wo Market). The temple serves as a major centre of worship
for the Tai Po area.
Directions :
KCR East
Rail to Tai Wo station. Walk about 10 minutes through Tai Wo
Estate, towards Tai Po Market station. Then cross Tai Wo bridge,
turn on to Yan Hing Street, then walk along Fu Shin Street.
3.
Old
Tai Po Market Railway Station (Tai Po)
Unlike the
other railway stations, the station at Tai Po Market was built in
the Chinese style in 1913. Declared a monument in 1984, the
station now houses the Hong Kong Railway Museum, which displays
old rolling stock and railway memorabilia. Open 9am-5pm daily,
except Tuesday and some public holidays.
Directions :
KCR East
Rail to Tai Wo station. Walk about 10 minutes through Tai Wo
Estate, towards Tai Po Market station, cross Tai Wo bridge and
turn into Yan Hing Street, then turn left onto On Fu Road. Or take
a short taxi ride from the station.
4.
Old
House, Hoi Pa Village (Tsuen Wan)
Hoi Pa
Village was originally a Hakka settlement. The old house, built in
1904 with rammed earth, bricks and timber, is a fine example of
traditional southern Chinese village architecture. It is currently
an environmental resources centre. The site, together with the
adjacent area, has now been developed into a park.
Directions :
MTR to
Tsuen Wan station. Follow the pedestrian bridge, then walk along
Shiu Wo Street and Tsuen Wan Market Street to reach the park
(about 20 minutes). |
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OUTLYING ISLANDS
Archaeological Sites
1.
Rock Carving On Cheung Chau
This
3,000-year-old rock carving, reported by a geologist in 1970, is
located at the southeastern end of the island, immediately below
the Warwick Hotel. It consists of two groups of similar designs,
serveral carved lines surrounding small depressions.
Directions :
Ferry from
Pier no. 6 in Central to Cheung Chau. Follow directions on the
mapboard at the pier and walk to the Warwick Hotel. The rock lies
just below the hotel.. |
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