Hung Shing Temple and Stanley Mosque Declared Monuments by Government Antiquities Authority

Two historic buildings declared as monuments

The Government today (October 2) gazetted a notice announcing that the Antiquities Authority (i.e. the Secretary for Development) has declared Hung Shing Temple in Wan Chai and Stanley Mosque in Stanley as monuments under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance.

Located on Queen's Road East in Wan Chai, Hung Shing Temple is one of the district's oldest surviving temples, estimated to have been built between 1847 and 1852. Dedicated to Hung Shing, the "God of the South Sea", the temple has long served as an important venue for religious ceremonies and ritual practices, including the housing of soul tablets during its early years, thereby establishing close ties with the Wan Chai community.

Exemplifying traditional Lingnan vernacular architecture and seamlessly integrating with the nearby natural rocky terrain, Hung Sing Temple holds immense architectural value. It retains a high degree of authenticity, with well-preserved historic fabric and decorative features, including stone carvings, plaster mouldings, granite figures, and Shiwan ceramic ridge decorations produced in 1909, showcasing both refined craftsmanship and the continuity of traditional building practices. As a significant historic landmark in a modern city, the temple not only reflects Wan Chai's development over the past century, but also stands as a precious reminder of the district's early religious landscape and enduring communal traditions.

Stanley Mosque, located within Stanley Prison, was constructed between 1936 and 1937. It is the second oldest mosque in Hong Kong and the only mosque situated inside a prison compound. The mosque was initiated, funded, and built by the Indian and Pakistani Muslim staff of the Prisons Department (the predecessor of the Correctional Services Department) together with the local Indian community.

Modelled on the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, Stanley Mosque represents a rare building typology in Hong Kong. It is built on a symmetrical plan along an east-west axis oriented toward the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, featuring a flat concrete roof edged by a crenellated parapet and an arcaded facade with horseshoe and ogee ornamental arches. Instead of a typical minaret, Stanley Mosque features minaret-like columns as decoration, maintaining a rich Islamic architectural character. It retains much of its original form, with only minimal alterations made to meet daily operational needs. The mosque not only stands as a testament to the growth of the Muslim community in Hong Kong, but also demonstrates ethnic harmony within society.

Detailed information on the two monuments is available on the website of the Antiquities and Monuments Office (www.amo.gov.hk/en/historic-buildings/monuments/index.html).

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two historic buildings declared as monuments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCST congratulates Chu Tsun-wai, Lee Sze-wing, Leung Wing-yee, Tiffany Mak, Polson Emily Grace, Sakai Akira Luke, Aylsworth Russell Williams, Lai Cheuk-nam, Lau Tsz-kwan, Henry Leung, and Tang Ming-hong on winning medals in Asian Games

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, today (October 1) extended her congratulations to track cycling athlete Chu Tsun-wai on winning a silver medal in the Men's Omnium at the 20th Asian Games; track cycling athletes Lee Sze-wing and Leung Wing-yee on winning a silver medal in the Women's Madison; sailing athletes Tiffany Mak and Polson Emily Grace on winning a silver medal in the Women's Skiff - 49erFX; sailing athletes Sakai Akira Luke and Aylsworth Russell Williams on winning a bronze medal in the Men's Skiff - 49er; and squash athletes Lai Cheuk-nam, Lau Tsz-kwan, Henry Leung, and Tang Ming-hong on winning a bronze medal in the Men's Team event.

Miss Law said, "The cycling team delivered an outstanding performance today. Chu Tsun-wai maintained his advantage through intense competition to win the silver medal. The pair of Lee Sze-wing and Leung Wing-yee scored points in every sprint lap, ultimately winning the silver medal. The sailing team also performed remarkably, with Tiffany Mak and Polson Emily Grace delivering a steady performance to take the silver medal, while Sakai Akira Luke and Aylsworth Russell Williams won the bronze medal in two consecutive Asian Games. The squash athletes Lai Cheuk-nam, Lau Tsz-kwan, Henry Leung, and Tang Ming-hong strove for excellence in the competitions, with the squash team reaching the podium in the Men's Team event for five consecutive Asian Games. More good news is expected to follow, as Hong Kong, China athletes have already secured medals in a number of events tomorrow (October 2). We look forward to Hong Kong, China athletes continuing to shine in the Asian Games."

The Hong Kong, China Delegation has so far won forty medals, namely five gold, fifteen silver and twenty bronze, at the Asian Games. The newly added five medals are as follows:

Silver medals

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Track cycling: Men's Omnium

Chu Tsun-wai

Track cycling: Women's Madison

Lee Sze-wing, Leung Wing-yee

Sailing: Women's Skiff - 49erFX

Tiffany Mak, Polson Emily Grace

Bronze medals

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Sailing: Men's Skiff - 49er

Sakai Akira Luke, Aylsworth Russell Williams

Squash: Men's Team

Lai Cheuk-nam, Lau Tsz-kwan, Henry Leung, Tang Ming-hong