• Uncategorized

Hollywood Road Park – The Tradition Chinese Culture Began

May 20, 2021

Name (English): Hollywood Road Park
Name (Chinese): 荷李活道公園
Category: Uncategorized
Address (English): Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan
Address (Chinese): 上環荷李活道
Address Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/gMnbi3v4wwZBfWV57
Address longitude and latitude: 22.285962194607087, 114.14756392698348
Nearest MTR Station: Sai Ying Pun Station Exit A1
Nearest MTR Station Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/A7u256Z1zq86A5dD9
Nearest MTR Station longitude and latitude: 22.287082586493447, 114.1444448945899
How far from the nearest MTR Station: 5-minute walk from Sai Ying Pun MTR Exit A1
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: 08:00 – 18:00
Accessibility Note: Easy access

Your attention might be all captured by the bits and pieces in the line of antique stores around Hollywood Road. But there is one spot nearby that deserves all of your attention – Possession Point (now Hollywood Road Park). Being a forgotten origin, it was where the British Navy planted the Union Jack Flag on January 26, 1841 to claim Hong Kong Island for the Crown Victoria, marking the birth of the 150-year-old colony. 

What made the British want to begin its ruling there though? Its initial Chinese name was “Tai Hang Hau (大坑口)” which echoes with the current one “Shui Hang Hau Street (水坑口街)”, literally meaning the mouth of a big puddle with water running from the Peak into Victoria Harbor. Proximity to water and shoreline, a high advantage point for better lookout, and a natural flat land were the essentials to build a base, and Possession Point provided everything needed for the start. The barracks were later moved to Central and the site experienced a few transformations over time until the current public park. However ordinary as it may seem, the site depicts the roots of Hong Kong in its most subtle form.

Source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FHollywood_Road_Park&psig=AOvVaw2Y7qp0_G7FG_Du6uXjr1gy&ust=1632934889215000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCMiXmNKSovMCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

Now embellished with traditional Chinese architectural styles, Hollywood Road Park is one decent spot to take a break from all the uphill exploration. Try to take a look at the showcase board there too where some of the good old pictures about the neighborhood are displayed, if you are one curious soul. 

#HollywoodRoadPark #discoverhongkong #explorehongkong #visithongkong #park #hongkongtravel #ilovehk #culture #chineseculture #culturetrip #heritage #history #hkhistory #temple #attractions

Our Guides

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.