Hong Kong Heritage Sites

In many cases, memorial plaques are all that remain of former historic buildings but a scattering of old structures has been preserved. These give an insight into how people lived and worked in old Hong Kong. They range from colonial police stations and market buildings to Qing dynasty Chinese mansions and walled villages. Some are in use as museums.

Five heritage trails have marked out by the government's Antiquities and Monuments Office; two in the New Territories at Ping Shan and Lung Yuek Tau, and three on Hong Kong Island covering Central HK, Western and The Peak.

Former Central Police Station

Also incorporating the former Magistracy and Victoria Prison, and occupying an entire city block, this collection of imposing colonial buildings is unique in Hong Kong - other heritage sites are much more fragmented, thanks to the wrecker's ball. Recently vacated, the Victorian structures and courtyards now stand empty, awaiting a decision on future use. Not yet open to the public.

Government House

The longtime residence of British governors was rejected as accommodation by Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong's first post-handover leader, but current chief executive Donald Tsang saw no problem in moving in. the building dates from the 1850s, although its Japanese-style tower was added during the war years. It is open to the public only on special occasions.

Western Market

Once a wet market, this handsome Edwardian building was converted in 1991 into a gentrified retail centre. Inside you'll find silk merchants, collectible boutiques, a Chinese dessert house, an art gallery and a smart dim sum restaurant which is also serves as a dance hall. It is open daily until 19:00. The 'Sheung Wan Fong' piazza nearby has compass tiles which point out locals centres of the dried seafood trade.

Heritage Sites - Out of City

Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha

Po Lin Monastery was built in the 1920s as a quiet mountain retreat for Buddhist monks. Since the bronze Buddha statue was unveiled in 1993, it's become one of Hong Kong's major tourist draws.

Po Lin Monastery is located high on the Ngong Ping plateau but the new Ngong Ping Skyrail gets you up there easily, providing panoramic views along the way. There is also now a theatre, retail and dining outlets on the site, in addition to the 'Walking With Buddha' experience, which is an educational tour offering visitors a helping hand on the path to enlightenment.

You need to climb a long flight of steps to reach the serene-looking Big Buddha's outdoor platform. He is surrounded by elegant bodhisattva figures carved in stone and there are three exhibition halls underneath the pedestal. The Big Buddha is open 10:00-18:00.

Look around the Po Lin Monastery while you are here. East from the monastery lies Hong Kong's only tea farm. A little further uphill you'll find the Wisdom Path - a small garden in which 38 wooden obelisks stand, each inscribed with a calligraphic verse from the Heart Sutra, an important Buddhist text.

To access the site take buses 2 or 23 from Mui Wo or catch the Ngong Ping Skyrail from the terminal near Tung Chung MTR.

Tai Fu Tai

This elegant mansion, built in 1865, belonged to a mandarin from the Man clan. Its architectural features have been carefully restored and the house gives a good idea of how Qing dynasty notables lived. An ornamental board inscribed with not only Chinese characters but also Manchu script, the native language of the Qing court, is the only example of this script in Hong Kong. Opening times: 09:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00 daily, except Tuesdays.

Tai O

Once the largest settlements on Lantau Island, Tai O has a long history as a centre of salt production. The main export now is shrimp paste, which you will see drying on flat rattan baskets. Tai O is famous for its waterways and its old stilt houses - tin shacks standing on wooden piles in the creek. They are inhabited mainly by the Tanka people. Among other attractions are the Yeung Hau Temple (one of Hong Kong's most picturesque), the Tai O Culture Workshop, a small museum run by a local fisherwoman, quick dolphin-spotting boat trips, and the Hong Kong Shaolin Wushu Culture Centre. To reach the town, take the buses 1 or 11 from Mui Wo.

Tsang Tai Uk

This walled village has a unique style and is unusually well preserved in its original state, despite being still inhabited. It was built by Tsang clan in the 1840s. Because the Tsangs were Hakkas who came from the northeastern part of Guangdong, the village looks different to others in the New Territories. Three archways lead into interior courtyards with wells. The four grey-brick corner towers are topped by iron tridents, probably to deflect bad feng shui. You are free to wander around and see ancestral hall in the centre of the village but some areas are out of bounds. Access MTR (formerly KCR) Sha Tin Wai Station.

Tsui Shing Lau Pagoda

Possibly dating back 600 years, Tsui Shing Lau is Hong Kong's only ancient pagoda. It's a miracle it has survived so long; surrounded for years by scrapyards and now on the edge of a new town, it was made a protected monument only in 2001. The three-storey tower was built by the Tang clan of Ping Shan to improve feng shui. Open 09:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00 every day except Tuesdays. Access Tin Shui Wai Station, MTR (formerly KCR) West Rail.

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