Uniquely HK

Feature Story

A historical Photo-journey through time!

Get ready for a unique chronological photo-journey exploring Hong Kong’s rich historical sites for your social media bragging rights!

Hong Kong's colourful and rich history and heritage are often badly overlooked, perhaps because this international city is mostly known for its finance and commerce, the iconic harbour and the surrounding skyline, buzzing street scenes, vibrant food culture and reputation as a shopping paradise. But look just beneath the surface and there are remnants of Hong Kong's history as a British colony and well before, dotted around the city, just waiting to be explored and appreciated by the intrepid. They include ancient tombs, century-old temples, historical walled villages, majestic colonial style buildings and much more. And many of the sites and their neighbouring vistas make for excellent photo spots, perfect for sharing on social media.

So pick up your camera and get ready for a unique photo-journey through time as CityLife takes you to some of the city’s most photogenic historical sites. You’ll be surprised and delighted at the city’s rich hidden tapestry.

Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum

Hong Kong’s oldest historical monument was discovered during a Government housing project in 1955. The tomb was dated to the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220). Visitors to the museum housing the tomb can see it through a glass panel. The tranquil Chinesestyle park alongside offers respite for the locals, and the photo exhibition in the museum documents the development history of Sham Shui Po. Check out the street markets and the vibrant local neighbourhoods of Sham Shui Po as part of your excursion.

41 Tonkin Street, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon

Sung Wong Tai

An important relic from the Song Dynasty, Sung Wong Tai (Terrace of the Sung Dynasty emperors) was originally a large boulder overlooking a hill in what is now Kowloon City. It was erected as a memorial to the last two boy emperors of the Sung Dynasty who temporarily lived in Hong Kong from 1277 to 1299. A piece of the boulder was carved out of it and moved to a park nearby. Be sure to visit the adjacent Kowloon Wall City Park for a glimpse of a colourful and lawless part of the city from the early 1900s.

Sung Wong Toi Road, To Kwa Wan, Kowloon

Tin Hau Temple Joss House Bay

The city’s oldest and largest temple to the popular god of seafarers, Tin Hau, is hidden away in the picturesque Clear Water Bay Peninsula. Located at the water’s edge, the temple is believed to have been built in 1266 during the Song Dynasty. A rock carving on the way down bears the oldest known inscription in Hong Kong. Check out the beautiful Sai Kung countryside including the Clear Water Bay beaches nearby. Joss House Bay, Clear Water Bay. Take Green Minibus 16 from Po Lam MTR Station and get off at the entrance of Clear Water Bay Golf and Country Club and walk 10 minutes down a flight of steps.

Lam Tsuen

This cluster of ancient villages dating back up to 700 years is now a tourist landmark thanks to its iconic Wishing Trees near the Tin Hau Temple, where visitors throw their wishes, written on joss paper tied to an orange, over the tree branches. The practice is now confined to a plastic replacement tree due to overuse of the real trees. Still the village itself is worth visiting as it well represents the area's many ancient villages. The famous Wishing Tree Festival, during Chinese New Year, attracts thousands of participants and onlookers.

Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, New Territories

Waterfall Bay Park

A real hidden gem, this local park tucked away below a Government estate (Wah Fu) on the south side of Hong Kong Island contains a real waterfall by the coast on the East Lamma Channel. The falling water was purportedly the only fresh supply along the South China Coast for foreign merchant ships in the 1700 and 1800s. Also check out the thousands of retired Kwun Yam statues that litter the hillside on the other side of the park, making for a surreal vista.

8 Waterfall Bay Road, Waterfall Bay, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong

Murray House, Blake Pier, Tin Hau Temple

Murray House, a majestic Victorian building erected in 1844 as officers’ quarters in Central, was dismantled, preserved and rebuilt stone - by - stone on the Stanley waterfront. It now houses shops and restaurants. The adjacent Blake Pier was also moved and rebuilt from its former role as a public pier on the waterfront of Central. Look for a sign and path next to Murray House that leads to an ancient Tin Hau temple featuring a “thousand-year-old well”. You’ll want to visit Stanley Market and waterfront promenade close by as well as the Stanley beaches. Plenty of photo-op spots to explore.

Stanley, Hong Kong Island

Tai Kwun

Hong Kong’s latest cultural landmark has rapidly become a must-see destination. The former Central Police Station and its Victoria Prison has been lovingly preserved and developed into an art and heritage hub. Visitors can explore the open plaza, appreciate the architecture of the preserved buildings, browse the galleries and dine at the restaurants housed in these extensive historical structures.

10 Hollywood Road, Central

Blue House

The Blue House is part of a cluster of brightly coloured four-storey buildings from the late 19th Century, known as ‘tong lau’ in Southern China. Noted for their balconies and East-West architectural influence, only a few still remain. The Blue House is found alongside the Yellow House and Orange House. They have been preserved as heritage buildings and you can visit the Hong Kong House of Stories on the ground floor which tells of Hong Kong’s past. Wanchai itself is rich in early colonial history so be sure to visit other historical landmarks such as the Old Post Office or Hung Shing Temple, both located on nearby Queen’s Road East.

72 Stone Nullah Lane, Wanchai