Hong Kong’s early buildings similar to those in the United Kingdom

There are two examples showing how British architecture influenced the Hong Kong’s early buildings. Since 1842, when Hong Kong became a British colony, British built a lot of buildings in Hong Kong.  Some of these buildings resemble the style in England.

Clock Tower

The picture below shows the former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower.

The Clock Tower is one of a the landmarks in Hong Kong. It is locateds the on the southern shore of Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, near Victoria Harbour. KCR Clock Tower was an important time keeper for travelers 100 years ago, when watches were expensive. Built out of red bricks and granite, the Clock Tower peaks at 44 metres, and is topped by a 7-metre lightning rod. The top of the tower can be reached by a wooden staircase located within. It is the only remnant of the original site of the former Kowloon station on the Kowloon–Canton Railway. Officially named Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower (Chinese: 前九廣鐵路鐘樓), it is usually referred to as the Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower (Chinese: 尖沙咀鐘樓) for its location. The interior of Clock Tower had previously been open for the visit but is currently closed for maintenance. The clock tower is located. The terminus was demolished and relocated in 1978, with the Clock Tower left in place to serve as an important landmark. The Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower was declared a monument in 1990. The bell of KCR Clock Tower was originally supplied by John Taylor & Co. in 1919. John Taylor was one of the large British foundries 100 years ago. The company sadly lost the bid to cast the bell for the Big Ben, a heritage icon of London. 

Murray House

Murray House in Hong Kong was built as officers’ quarters in Murray Barracks in 1846. Murray Barracks, similar to other barracks like Edinburgh Castle New Barracks in Scotland, was built for accommodation of soldiers and officers. Murray House later served as Hhome ofto several different government departments at various times after World War II,. Murray House was dismantled in the early 1980s and later rebuilt in Stanley.Murray House was one of the oldest surviving public buildings in Hong Kong. It was originally located at the heart of Hong Kong, an important symbol of British possession of the city. 

Edinburgh Castle New Barracks was built Hanoverian barrack block from the reign of George III, built in 1796-99. it was  to accommodations e an infantry battalion of 600 officers and men during the war with Revolutionary France.

Colonial buildings witnessed the transformation of Hong Kong, from a set of villages to a modern city. The landmarks embodied a lot of memories of hard working people and the blended culture of east and west. 

Development has long taken precedent over heritage preservation. After the handover in 1997, demand for heritage preservation arises quickly as people desire the continuity of Hong Kong’s unique identity and cultural values. The historical buildings are considered as a tangible link of the city’s colonial past and post-1997 modern Hong Kong. 

In 2006, there were a series of protests and hunger strikes demanding that the government preserve Star Ferry Terminal (as well as the clock tower) and Queen’s Pier. Despite widespread opposition, buildings were demolished in 2006 and 2008 respectively. Reconstruction of the old Star Ferry Clock Tower in its original site is planned to be completed by 2027