Seven Hong Kong colonial heritage buildings to see when they open doors to public, offering a rare peek inside
Heritage buildings from the era of British rule, many of which do not normally admit visitors, will throw open their doors and offer guided tours during a two-month Heritage Fiesta this summer. We pick seven of the best to see
Hong Kong returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, but reminders of its 156 years under British rule remain in the form of public buildings from the early decades of the colonial era.
Of course, many were demolished in the 1970s and ’80s to make way for development. And as recently as 2007, the demolition of the Star Ferry Terminal in the city’s Central district and the dismantling of the adjacent Queen’s Pier, the landing place on Victoria Harbour for British colonial dignitaries, to allow for reclamation for the Central-Wan Chai bypass led protesters to chain themselves to railings and stage hunger strikes.
Queen’s Pier rebuilding plans anger protesters who fought its demolition
Now some buildings that survived are throwing their doors open to allow the Hong Kong public a rare peek inside them. A total of 16 buildings, many of which do not normally admit public visitors, will be open as part of a Heritage Fiesta from June 1 to July 31.
“It’s a great opportunity for the public to appreciate these well-preserved historic buildings that have played a role to serve the community in Hong Kong, and allow the public to understand their histories and architectural styles,” a spokesman for the Commissioner for Heritage’s Office under the Development Bureau said.
Free guided tours will be offered.
These seven buildings in particular are worth a look inside: