Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China on the southern coast, made up of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon peninsula, the New Territories and more than 200 outlying islands. It pairs one of the world's densest skylines with country parks, beaches and fishing villages, all linked by an efficient metro and ferry network.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Hong Kong.
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1
Neolithic Settlement
Archaeological finds at Sha Ha, Chek Lap Kok and Lamma show fishing and farming communities around the Pearl River Delta coast
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2
Qin Conquest
The Qin dynasty brings the Lingnan region, including the Hong Kong area, into the Chinese empire
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3
Han Dynasty Tomb at Lei Cheng Uk
A brick burial chamber built in the Eastern Han period is the oldest known Han-era monument in Hong Kong
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4
Clan Settlement of the New Territories
The Tang, Hau, Pang, Liu and Man clans settle the New Territories, building walled villages and ancestral halls such as Kat Hing Wai
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5
British Occupation of Hong Kong Island
British forces raise the flag at Possession Point after the First Opium War; Hong Kong Island is ceded by the Convention of Chuenpi and formalised in 1842
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6
Treaty of Nanking
China cedes Hong Kong Island to Britain in perpetuity, and the free port of Victoria city is founded
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7
Convention of Peking
Kowloon Peninsula south of Boundary Street is ceded to Britain
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8
Star Ferry Begins
The Kowloon Ferry Company, later the Star Ferry, begins crossing Victoria Harbour
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9
New Territories Lease
Britain leases the New Territories and 200+ islands from China for 99 years, expiring 1997
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10
Japanese Occupation
Japan captures Hong Kong on 25 December 1941 after the Battle of Hong Kong; three years and eight months of occupation follow until August 1945
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11
Refugee Influx and Industrial Boom
Hundreds of thousands flee mainland China; public housing estates and manufacturing turn Hong Kong into one of the Four Asian Tigers; Kowloon Walled City becomes a dense enclave
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12
Sino-British Joint Declaration
Britain and China agree Hong Kong will return to China in 1997 under the one country, two systems principle
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13
Handover to China
Hong Kong becomes a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
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14
New Cultural District Opens
M+ (2021) and the Hong Kong Palace Museum (2022) open in West Kowloon, joining Tai Kwun (2018) as major heritage and culture venues
Historical eras
The chapters of Hong Kong's past.
Ancient and imperial China
Neolithic settlement, Han-dynasty tombs and clan villages of the New Territories
British colonial era
Free port, treaty settlements, wartime occupation 1941-45, and post-war boom
Special Administrative Region
One country, two systems; growth of new arts and heritage venues
Historical sites
Places where Hong Kong's past comes alive.
Man Mo Temple
Grade I Taoist temple built by Chinese merchants around 1847 to honour the gods of literature and war, and once used as an informal court to settle disputes.
Where: Sheung Wan
Admission: Free
Tai Kwun (Central Police Station Compound)
The Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison stand on a site used for law enforcement since 1841, and now house heritage exhibits, a prison museum and arts spaces.
Where: Central
Admission: Free entry to courtyards; some exhibitions and tours ticketed from about HK$100 (~$13)
Kowloon Walled City Park
A Qing-dynasty fort built in 1847 that remained under Chinese jurisdiction after the 1898 lease and became a dense, unregulated enclave of tens of thousands until demolition in 1993-94; the yamen and South Gate remains survive in the park.
Where: Kowloon City
Admission: Free
Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower
The 44 m Edwardian clock tower is the only surviving part of the Kowloon-Canton Railway terminus that stood on the harbourfront until 1978.
Where: Tsim Sha Tsui
Admission: Free
Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum
A brick-vaulted tomb discovered in 1955 and now protected in a museum, it is one of the few surviving monuments from the Han period in the Hong Kong area.
Where: Sham Shui Po
Admission: Free
Sam Tung Uk Museum
A restored Hakka walled village built by the Chan clan in 1786, with ancestral hall and period rooms that show rural Hakka life.
Where: Tsuen Wan
Admission: Free
Kat Hing Wai Walled Village
A 17th-century walled village of the Tang clan in the New Territories, with high brick walls, corner watchtowers and one narrow gate; residents still live within it.
Where: Kam Tin
Admission: Small village donation of about HK$10 (~$1.30)
St John's Cathedral
Hong Kong's oldest surviving Anglican church, consecrated in 1849 and one of the few colonial buildings to survive the 20th-century development of Central.
Where: Central
Admission: Free
Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware
Built in 1846, this is the oldest colonial building in Hong Kong in its original location, once the residence of the British Commander, and now shows tea ware.
Where: Admiralty
Admission: Free
Hong Kong Museum of History
The main museum of the city's story from prehistory through the 1997 handover, with reconstructed streets and the 'Hong Kong Story' galleries.
Where: Tsim Sha Tsui East
Admission: Free (permanent exhibition)
Western Market
A red-brick and granite Edwardian market hall built in 1906 and preserved as a shopping and fabric hall.
Where: Sheung Wan
Admission: Free
Former Legislative Council Building
A neoclassical granite building of 1912 that served as the Supreme Court and Legislative Council, now the Court of Final Appeal.
Where: Central
Admission: Free (exterior)
Museums
Curated collections that tell Hong Kong's story.
Hong Kong Museum of History
Hours: Mon, Wed-Fri 10:00AM-6:00PM; Sat, Sun 10:00AM-7:00PM; closed Tuesday
Admission: Free (permanent exhibition)
Hong Kong Palace Museum
Hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun 10:00AM-6:00PM; Fri, Sat 10:00AM-8:00PM; closed Tuesday
Admission: HK$70 (~$9) general; HK$150 (~$19) special exhibitions
M+ Museum
Hours: Tue-Sun approx 10:00AM-6:00PM; closed Monday
Admission: HK$190 (~$24); concession HK$100 (~$13)
Tai Kwun Prison Yard and JC Contemporary
Hours: Daily 11:00AM-11:00PM
Admission: Courtyards free; galleries free or ticketed
Hong Kong Maritime Museum
Hours: Tue-Fri 9:30AM-5:30PM; Sat-Sun 10:00AM-7:00PM; closed Monday
Admission: About HK$30 (~$4)
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.
Tai Kwun Heritage Tour
Guided tours of the former Central Police Station and Victoria Prison with historical narration; check taikwun.hk for schedules
Star Ferry Harbour Tour
A 60-minute harbour cruise on a traditional Star Ferry vessel with views of both shorelines
Ding Ding Tram Ride (self-guided)
Ride the 1904 double-decker tramway across Hong Kong Island; flat fare payable by Octopus card on exit