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Kate Chan

Hong Kong’s heritage advisers have endorsed designating a nearly 180-year-old temple and the city’s only mosque inside a prison as statutory monuments.
The Antiquities Advisory Board proposed at a meeting on Thursday that Hung Shing Temple in Wan Chai and Stanley Mosque in Stanley Prison be elevated by the Antiquities Authority to the city’s highest tier of legal heritage protection. Both buildings currently have Grade 1 historic building status.
Although one board member questioned whether the mosque met the standard required for an upgrade, chairman Desmond Hui Cheuk-kuen noted that a consensus had been reached.
Twenty-four members attended the meeting, with most agreeing that the site reflected the historical presence of minority groups in the city.
Built between 1936 and 1937, Stanley Mosque is one of only two surviving pre-war Islamic buildings in Hong Kong. It is the only mosque in the city located inside a prison and sits within a restricted Correctional Services Department (CSD) area.

Board members made suggestions about public access to the mosque and virtual reality experiences.
“We are working closely with the CSD to arrange public visits to the mosque, provided the visits do not compromise its original operations or security,” said Fione Lo Sau-lai, executive secretary of the Antiquities and Monuments Office, which is responsible for heritage conservation and education in Hong Kong.
Hung Shing Temple on Queen’s Road East is one of the oldest temples in Wan Chai and is believed to have been built between 1847 and 1852.
Although now located about 800 metres (2,600 feet) from the waterfront following years of reclamation, it originally sat on the shoreline to serve fishermen and merchant seamen.
Board members said the temple not only enshrined Hung Shing – God of the South Sea – but had also accommodated the worship of many other deities over the years, showcasing the evolution of urban development in Wan Chai and the diverse beliefs of the local community.

Board member Professor Cheung Sui-wai noted the deformation of some Shiwan ceramic figurines on the rooftop and expressed hope that the upgrade would result in repair work.
Lo said the office would keep in contact with the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, the current manager of the temple, and provide support for the repair work.
The office had recommended elevating the two buildings to statutory monuments in a proposal submitted ahead of the board’s meeting last Thursday.
Following the endorsement, if approved by the chief executive, the two buildings will be declared monuments through publication in the government gazette, granting them permanent statutory protection.


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Board backs proposal to give temple, mosque highest level of heritage protection

Hung Shing Temple is believed to have been built between 1847 and 1852. Photo: Karma Lo

Stanley Mosque was built between 1936 and 1937. Photo: Handout

Hung Shing Temple currently had Grade 1 historic building status. Photo: Karma Lo

Stanley Mosque is located inside Stanley Prison. Photo: Handout

Wan Chai temple and Stanley Mosque set for highest level of heritage protection

Hung Shing Temple, located on Queen’s Road East, is believed to have been built between 1847 and 1852. Photo: Elson Li

Stanley Mosque was modelled on the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, and is considered a rare example of its type in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

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Worshippers including veteran actress Lana Wong (centre) offer incense sticks at Wong Tai Sin Temple. Photo: Sam Tsang

Crowd control measures are strictly enforced, with a one-way flow of worshippers. Photo: Sam Tsang

 Devotees are in good spirits, including one man in a Year of the Horse headpiece. Photo: Sam Tsang

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The Old Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital in Sai Ying Pun. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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Hung Shing Temple in Wan Chai and Stanley Mosque should be classified as statutory monuments, Antiquities Advisory Board says


Hung Shing Temple in Wan Chai and Stanley Mosque should be classified as statutory monuments, Antiquities Advisory Board says.


Board backs proposal to give temple, mosque highest level of heritage protection

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Hung Shing Temple in Wan Chai and Stanley Mosque should be classified as statutory monuments, Antiquities Advisory Board says

Hung Shing Temple in Wan Chai and Stanley Mosque should be classified as statutory monuments, Antiquities Advisory Board says