overview
When it comes to historical buildings and cultural monuments, does it always give people a dull feeling? The lifeless architecture, the exhibits that can only be viewed from a distance, and the rigid explanatory texts that can only be seen in a few sentences, are very few that make a lasting impression. Or add too many commercial elements, have no sense of history, and are full of profit from beginning to end.
Tired of boring heritage sites, a visit to Hong Kong is a must-try to experience the revitalized historic buildings here. It allows you to wander around all day and have fun. The historic buildings here are endowed with vitality and modern vitality, and it is highly recommended as one of the categories of Hong Kong's characteristic cultural attractions.
In 2008, the Hong Kong Government launched the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme, which aims to revitalise and reuse historic buildings and declared monuments owned by the Government, and by 2016 five phases had been announced. Today, there are nearly 20 "revitalization" projects underway, of which nearly 10 are already in operation. Some of these revitalized historical buildings are available for tourists to visit, such as the ones recommended below, while some are given local life functions such as residences, medical centers, and association activity centers. There is also the Yau Ma Tei Police Station, which mainland tourists are keen to check in and take pictures, which is still in the discussion stage of the revitalization project and is not open to the public, so it is not particularly recommended for the time being.
The following recommended revitalised historic buildings are generally open to visitors in exhibition galleries or open to the public free of charge. If you want to listen to the explanation, you can book the guided tour service in advance on the official website, or you can register on-site on the public guided tour day. Guided tours are also free of charge, mainly in Cantonese and English, and Mandarin is subject to availability.
Tai Kwun
Tai Kwun, formerly known as the Hong Kong Central Police Station, is located in the core business district of Central, Hong Kong, with a history of 170 years, covering an area of 13,600 square meters, and is the largest historic building revitalisation project in Hong Kong. The complex contains 16 historical monuments, including the former Central Police Station, the Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison. The Tai Kwun Revitalisation Project is a 10-year collaboration between the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Jockey Club at a cost of HK$3.8 billion. Tai Kwun officially opened to the public on 29 May 2018.
In addition to retaining the original 16 historical monuments, the revitalised Tai Kwun also has a new art gallery and a variety hall. At present, 11 historic buildings have been opened, including the Police Headquarters Building, the Prison Warden Building, and the Barracks Building, as well as the Parade Square, the prison playground, and the newly built art gallery and entertainment hall. Tai Kwun offers a wide range of cultural experiences, including guided tours of heritage sites, art exhibitions, theatre performances, and several specialty restaurants and shops. In terms of presentation, the focus is on the interaction of visitors, such as the prison photo wall, walking into a small cell, the painting that moves when you touch your hand, and the old police recruitment guidelines that can be referenced, etc., which are interesting and impressive.
At present, visitors can make an appointment to visit through the official website, and if there are fewer visitors, the staff will also take a walk-in tour according to the situation. Tickets for the theater performances inside need to be purchased in advance, and the relevant information is also obtained through the official website.
Duration: 1-3 hours
Reference ticket price: Free admission
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 11:00-23:00
Address: 10 Hollywood Road, Central
Phone: Not yet
Official website: www.taikwun.hk
Mei Ho House Living Museum
An unprecedented fire at the end of 1953 (the Shek Kip Mei Fire) started the implementation of Hong Kong's public housing (PRH) policy. As the first generation of public housing in Hong Kong to resettle the victims, Mei Ho House carries the memories of many Hong Kong people, such as the famous director John Woo, the 80s boxing champion Chen Wenyi, and the generation of football star Chen Fazhi. Built in the 50s of the last century, Mei Ho House was designated as one of the first batch of historic building revitalisation projects in Hong Kong in 2008, and was revitalised by the Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association into Mei Ho House Youth Hostel and Mei Ho House Living Centre, which opened in October 2013. Mei Ho House is a successful example of a revitalisation of historic buildings in Hong Kong.
The revitalised Mei Ho House consists of two parts: Mei Ho House Youth Hostel and Mei Ho House Living Hall. Mei Ho House Youth Hostel is for guests to stay and is not open to the public. The Mei Ho House Living Museum preserves the original historical elements of the building, and shows the development history of Mei Ho House and even Hong Kong public housing through graphic descriptions, physical exhibitions, scene restoration, etc. The exhibits in the exhibition hall are all donated by residents who lived in the old public housing estate, and most of the details of life are also described from the memories of public housing residents, which is ordinary and full of history.
The Meihe House Living Museum is open to the public and is free to visit. You can also book a free guided tour through the official website. Docent services are mainly in Cantonese and English, with guided tours in Putonghua as appropriate.
Tour time: 30min-60min
Reference ticket price: Free admission
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:30-17:00
Address: Block 41, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon
Phone: (852) 37283500
Official website: www.yha.org.hk
Tai O Heritage Hotel
Tai O Heritage Hotel is a revitalization of the former Tai O Police Station, located in Tai O Fishing Village, Lantau Island, and the building itself has a history of more than 100 years. The Tai O Heritage Hotel was revitalised by the Hong Kong Heritage Conservation and Construction Company Limited and opened in February 2012.
The Tai O Heritage Hotel is one of the successful examples of revitalising historic buildings, bringing back to life a restaurant in the middle of nowhere, attracting countless tourists to stay and visit. The revitalised Tai O Heritage Hotel is a boutique hotel with a rich sense of history. There are nine harbour view rooms in the hotel, each with a different style and named after the rank of police officer, police wheel and landmark of Tai O. There is also a glass-roofed rooftop restaurant, a library, and a historical exhibition gallery that together make up the Tai O Heritage Hotel.
The hotel's historical exhibition gallery and some of the suites not rented out are open to the public free of charge. At the same time, the hotel also organizes special activities and guided tours with the local community, including the heritage tour of the old Tai O Police Station, the Tai O Food Exhibition, and the Tai O Nature and Ecology Tour.
Tour time: 30min-60min
Reference ticket price: Free admission
Opening hours: All day
Address: Shek Tsai Po Street, Tai O, Lantau Island
Phone: (852) 29858383
Official website: www.taioheritagehotel.com
Government House, Hong Kong
Government House of Hong Kong is a building that bears witness to the century-old history of Hong Kong. Formerly known as the Governor's House, it was built in 1855 during British rule and served as the official residence of 25 Governors of Hong Kong. After Hong Kong's return to China in 1997, it became the official residence of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong and the venue for official activities of the Hong Kong government.
The Government House of Hong Kong regularly organises open days for free admission by the public. On the day of the Open Day, the public will be able to enter the Government House Garden, as well as visit the places where the Government holds official events and receives guests. There are display boards along the tour route to help the public understand the history and characteristics of the concierge, and there will be docents on site to introduce them. At the same time, the Hong Kong Police Band and the student band performance is also one of the essential attractions on the open day. Currently, Government House Open Days are held twice a year, and specific opening hours and details will be announced through the official website, government websites and the media.
Duration: 60min
Reference ticket price: Free admission
Opening Hours: Open regularly
Address: Albert Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong Island
Telephone: (852) 28783300
Official website: www.ceo.gov.hk
Other recommendations:
PMQ, Animation Base, 1881, Asia Society Hong Kong Center
