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Duddell Street Gas Lamps – The 4 Surviving Gas Lamps

May 20, 2021

Name (English): Duddell Street Gas Lamps
Name (Chinese): 都爹利街石階及煤氣燈
Category: Uncategorized
Address (English): 13 Duddell Street, Central
Address (Chinese): 中環都爹利街13號
Address Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/i9StbugCgkwmGNhV6
Address longitude and latitude: 22.27968052635639, 114.15669814047698
Nearest MTR Station: Central Station Exit D1
Nearest MTR Station Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/UpwVKUELh9vatcN97
Nearest MTR Station longitude and latitude: 22.281853429206045, 114.15732332927186
How far from the nearest MTR Station: 5-minute walk from Central MTR Exit D1
Opening Hours:
MON 00:00 – 23:59
TUE 00:00 – 23:59
WED 00:00 – 23:59
THU 00:00 – 23:59
FRI 00:00 – 23:59
SAT 00:00 – 23:59
SUN 00:00 – 23:59
Recommended Time to Visit: 10:00 – 16:00
Accessibility Note: Inaccessible – many staircases

At the southern end of Duddell Street – an easy-to-miss back alley on the bustling Queen’s Road Central, stands one of the most cinematic stairways that attracts thousands of visitors to get glimpses of the past colonial city. Once you step on the flight of the granite steps, you will be transported back to over 100 years ago where shadowy streets were lit with gas lamps.

The 4 gas lamps sitting atop either end of the stairway in pairs

The one-of-a-kind staircase, characterized by its elegant structure of Tuscan order built with granite blocks, came into existence in 1883. Filled with nostalgic and historical charms, the 4 gas lamps sitting atop either end of the stairway in pairs were added later in time in early 20th century, with models supplied by William Sugg. & Co in the UK. What makes it extraordinary is that the gas lamps were designed shorter in length than the normal ones at the time in order to be perfectly mounted at both ends. They now still light the way from 6pm to 6am daily but automatically, unlike the past times when they had to be manually illuminated.

Gas lamp
Stairway was built with granite blocks

But the typhoon Mangkhut in 2018 wrecked the century-old cultural heritage. The steps and gas lamps were severely damaged with pieces shattered on the ground. But fortunately, it came back to life again after a 15-month repair, otherwise it would be such a big loss to the city if nothing could be done. The last 4 remaining gas lamps in the city survived through thick and thin so pay a visit if you can, especially at night when it resembles the dusky world back in the days. 

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Peggy Lam

Peggy here, and I am a storyteller. Despite not being a professional tour guide myself, I am thrilled to share and write about the fun things to do in town, the untold stories & even my personal observations.