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Fun facts
Built of stone bricks, the ancient cross-shaped Han dynasty tomb has inscriptions of ‘great fortune to Panyu County’, ‘peace to Panyu County’, and ‘Xue Shi’ (which is said to be the brick maker’s name). These words can be seen in the mirror reflections. Panyu is mentioned because the tomb was located at the Panyu district during the Han dynasty, meaning that Hong Kong was part of the Panyu region at that time.
Fun facts
During World War II, the Precious Blood Convent was near the army barracks and was attacked by air raids from time to time. It is said that the convent school was closed, but there were some novice sisters who decided to stay behind and stick through it together. The convent later reopened in 1942 and, even after a baptism of fire, the architecture remained intact and was officially listed as a Grade II historic building in 2017.
Fun facts
Before entering the park, look out for the boundary stone outside marked with ‘M.O.D.’ (Ministry of Defence), which was once used to define the borders of the Sham Shui Po barracks. There are also monuments and sweetgum trees that commemorate the fallen of World War II in Sham Shui Po Park. Aside from sweetgum trees, there is also a wide variety of trees, such as frangipani trees. According to Hong Kong’s Register of Old & Valuable Trees, four out of the five frangipani trees in the city were grown in Sham Shui Po Park. In summer, these stunning trees would bloom yellow, wonderfully fragrant flowers and are a sight to behold.
Photography tips
There are over 10 pavilions in the park, including one with a modern geometric roof. Shoot from a low angle and capture the white clouds and blue sky within the square grids.
There are many kinds of trees in the park: Cajeput, Royal Poinciana (also known as the Flame of the Forest), Chinese Banyan trees and more. You may get close to the trees and photograph trunk patterns or the mottled bark, or capture the roots from a low angle for strong visual impact. You can even use a retro or monochromatic filter to give your shot an artistic twist.
Fun facts
What’s the difference between a veranda and a terrace? A veranda — a rare design nowadays — is a roofed platform that's attached to a building, with pillars supporting the structure. A terrace, on the other hand, is usually built without a roof. 170 Yee Kuk Street is a mixed-use building with three floors and a veranda, which was a common structure in the early 20th century, with Italian-styled pillars. Each floor is four-metre-tall and, starting from the top, decreases in area as you go down.
One of the oldest districts in Hong Kong, Sham Shui Po has played a huge role in shaping the local way of living. The district’s East-meets-West character has influenced the architectural style of the residential buildings and landmarks and it was also the birthplace of Hong Kong’s public housing. Discover the buildings that shaped the community as well as the remnants of its manufacturing boom days, which cemented the character of the neighbourhood. Also, be sure to explore Sham Shui Po’s places of worship, many of which were built by early immigrants from Mainland China who wanted to honour the deities that they worshipped back home.
YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel ![]()
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Originally part of the Shek Kip Mei Estate constructed after a massive fire that left nearly 58,000 homeless in 1953, Mei Ho House is a physical symbol of the beginning of Hong Kong’s public housing policies. The building has been awarded an honourable mention by the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation and now serves as a popular youth hostel. The building also houses the Heritage of Mei Ho House
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Precious Blood Convent
The Precious Blood Convent
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{{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info played an important role in the welfare of the community when it opened its doors in 1929. Not only did it provide shelter and free medical care to the poor, it was also an orphanage for abandoned babies. Today, the neoclassical building is not open to the public, but it can still be admired from the street, where it stands as a symbol of charity and commitment to those who are in need.
170 Yee Kuk Street
A Grade II historic building, 170 Yee Kuk Street
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{{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info is what is known as a tong lau — a type of tenement building that was prevalent in South China in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Built in the 1920s, the ground floor formerly acted as a shop for a frame-maker, while the floors above served a residential function. Business has long ceased but the building’s windows — distinctive of old tong laus across Hong Kong — and the calligraphic signs advertising the old framing business remain icons.
Sham Shui Po Chinese Public Dispensary ![]()
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This medical centre gave Yee Kuk Street its name (‘yee kuk’ means clinic in Cantonese). A Grade II historic building, this construction was built in the 1930s after its former site, also on Yee Kuk Street, was deemed insufficient to meet the medical needs of local residents. The building is no longer open to the public, but you can still admire the stunning art deco architecture from the outside; the building’s pillars are adorned with Western classical motifs while the balcony railings feature bamboo-shaped Chinese ceramic tiles — a beautiful example of Hong Kong’s East-meets-West ethos.
Ex-Sham Shui Po Service Reservoir
Located on Mission Hill in Shek Kip Mei, the Ex-Sham Shui Po Service Reservoir
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{{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info is a Romanesque cistern featuring granite piers, red brick arches, and concrete cove ceilings. With a storage capacity of 9,900 cubic metres, it was built in 1904 to service residents of Kowloon Tong, Sham Shui Po, and Tai Hang Tung. The historical site was discovered in 2020, and in 2021, the Antiquities Advisory Board recognised it as a Grade 1 historic structure. For those who are curious about Hong Kong’s water supply history over the past century, the Government has opened the site for individual or group guided tours. The tours start at Berwick Street in Shek Kip Mei, followed by a 15-minute walk to the peak of Mission Hill. Those who want to explore the reservoir from the comfort of their home can also go on a virtual tour created by the Water Supplies Department, which gives viewers a 360-degree view of the structure and interesting information about its architectural characteristics.
Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum ![]()
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This four-chambered tomb was discovered in 1955 when a hill was being levelled in preparation for the construction of resettlement buildings. Inscriptions found within suggest that it dates back to the Eastern Han dynasty (AD 25-220). Although the tomb is closed to the public for conservation reasons, visitors can still get a glimpse of this remarkable relic from behind a glass panel, and can also learn more about the tomb’s history by looking at pottery and bronze pieces that were excavated from the site.
Sham Shui Po Park ![]()
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This memorial park is located on an important historical site. Formerly the Sham Shui Po Barracks in the 1920s, this piece of land became the main POW camp during the Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong. Here, you’ll find two plaques erected in 1989 and 1991 to commemorate those who perished in the POW camp.
Jao Tsung-I Academy
Sitting on a lush hillside in Lai Chi Kok (and just a few minutes’ walk away from MTR Mei Foo Station), is a shining example of Hong Kong’s revitalisation efforts done right: the Jao Tsung-I Academy
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{{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info . This large-scale, century-old compound boasts a colourful history. First built as a customs station during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), it later became labourers’ quarters, a quarantine station, a prison, a hospital for infectious diseases, and after that, a psychiatric rehabilitation centre. Now, the site serves as a cultural landmark that hosts thematic exhibitions, workshops, seminars, festive events and educational programmes etc within its tranquil grounds. Enjoy the available food, buy souvenirs and stay overnight at this historic site at The Heritage Lodge, which houses 89 guest rooms.
CITY IN TIME — Tai Po Road Rest Garden
At Tai Po Road Rest Garden, scan the decorated pole to download the CITY IN TIME app and see what Mei Ho House and the nearby area looked like in the 1950s.
CITY IN TIME
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{{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info brings Hong Kong’s extraordinary history back to life by transforming smartphones into magical ‘augmented reality’ windows, contrasting 360-degree panoramic images of old Hong Kong with today’s surroundings. The historical scenes are supplemented with lively animations, informative descriptions of major landmarks, and selfie and sharing functions for uploading to social media platforms. For more details about nearby scenes and the CITY IN TIME project, please visit their website.
Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre (JCCAC) ![]()
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The JCCAC building was once a factory estate that housed the city’s cottage industries. It was given a facelift and a new lease on life when it reopened in 2008 as a bustling creative hub, providing venues for burgeoning and established artists alike to display their creations. The space also houses a theatre, craft shops and the Heritage Tea House, where visitors can enjoy a traditional brew while they explore this nine-storey building.
Nam Cheong Pawn Shop
Hong Kong’s pawnbroking industry exploded after the government legalised it in 1926. Built during that decade, the Nam Cheong Pawn Shop
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{{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info is a reminder of this once-flourishing business that helped fuel the city’s economy. Today, the Grade III historic building still boasts many traditional features, including the saloon doors at the entrance.
Ho Chung Kee ![]()
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Tucked away in an alley, this tiny store has been making galvanised iron products for more than a half-century. Although now a rare sight, these items were once a mainstay in homes and businesses before they were displaced by plastic and stainless steel. The wares sold here are all hand-moulded by owner Mr Ho, one of the few remaining artisans in this trade.
Kwan Tai Temple
Constructed in 1891, Kwan Tai Temple
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{{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info is the only place of worship in Kowloon dedicated to the God of War and Righteousness. This Grade II historic building is a great example of traditional Lingnan architecture and includes many stunning features, including a giant bronze bell and crescent blade. The temple is open to the public on most days but it becomes a real spectacle on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, when crowds arrive in droves to celebrate Kwan Tai’s birthday.
Sam Tai Tsz and Pak Tai Temple ![]()
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Two temples in one complex, Sam Tai Tsz Temple is a Grade II historic building originally built in 1898 by Hakka immigrants to honour their patron deity, Sam Tai Tsz, after a particularly deadly plague swept through Sham Shui Po. Full of fascinating details, the temple houses cultural relics that date back to the late Qing dynasty (1644-1911). After exploring this fascinating site, head next door to Pak Tai Temple — a Grade III historic building built by local fishermen in 1920 to honour the Emperor of the North, the eponymous Pak Tai.
Lung Hing Tong
A popular spot with Instagrammers, this building is unlike anything else in Sham Shui Po. It’s home to Lung Hing Tong
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{{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info , an institution established in 1931 that offers a range of services from the medical to the spiritual and religious. Its colourful green tiling is in stark contrast to the neutral blocks sitting on either side, and its eye-catching design is topped by a 3D dragon, cranes and deer emerging out of the frescos on the roof.
Information in this article is subject to change without advance notice. Please contact the relevant product or service providers for enquiries.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board disclaims any liability as to the quality or fitness for purpose of third party products and services; and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, adequacy or reliability of any information contained herein.
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