Stanley Historic Sites
Stanley was a military stronghold for Hong Kong Island during the Qing Dynasty, and camp floods known as Stanley flood was already recorded at the time. During the beginning of Hong Kong’s opening, when City of Victoria was not yet built, Stanley was the capital of Hong Kong Island. It can be said that foreigners started living in Stanley from the 19
th century. In 1941, The Battle of Hong Kong struck between British and Japanese army, and Stanley was the last stand of the British Force. When the Japanese surrendered in 1945, Hong Kong government had executed at least 22 Japanese POW here. The lower part of Hong Kong’s seal during the colonial period is a part of history happened in Stanley. The legend has it that a fisherman “Ah Kwan” led the way for the British from Aberdeen through Stanley, and finally reaching Sheung Wan. That is why Stanley has traditional fishermen’s buildings: Tin Hau temple, and facilities from the colonial period:
Police Station, “
Eight Houses,”
Stanley Military Cemetery. And
Murray House, which is now located in Stanley’s waterfront, was once standing in where China Bank is today. When the building was destined for demolish to make way for China Bank, the government, wished to protect its historic value, broke down the building piece by piece, and put it back together in Stanley. The St. Stephen’s College is undoubtedly the building with most historic value. It was built in 1903, a time when China was oppressed by the West. Intellectuals knew that education was the key to saving the country, and planned to build a school for Chinese only. Eight people, including businessman Sir Kai Ho, wrote to the Governor about such plan, thus the establishment of St. Stephen’s College. This college, with a history of over 100 years, stood silently on this land where WWII hit hard.
The St. Stephen’s College Heritage Trail can tell you the vicissitudes of the area.
Transportation:
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Take City Bus 260 from Central (Exchange Square) to Stanley Prison
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Take City Bus 973 from Tsim Sha Tsui (Mody Road) to Stanley Market
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Take First Bus 14 from Grand Promenade, Sai Wan Ho to Stanley Fort Gate
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Take 63 First Bus from North Point Ferry Pier (services provided from Monday to Saturday) to Stanley Prison, or Take 65 First Bus to Stanley Market (services provided at Sunday and public holiday)
