One of the world's mightiest coastal forts becomes a museum
Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence is the main tourist attraction in Shau Kei Wan, on the easternmost corner of Hong Kong Island, and although it is one of the city's best museums, it is often ignored by travelers, who prefer to stick around the shopping districts of Central, Wanchai and Causeway Bay...
Historic Lei Yue Mun Fort, where the museum is housed, was erected in the 1880s to protect the eastern entrance to Victoria Harbour, and was one of the world's strongest coastal fortifications at the time it was built, and although it was severely damaged during the Japanese attack on Hong Kong at the end of 1941, some of the impressive structures can still be seen...
The museum consists of two sections: The main galleries occupy the redoubt and showcase "600 years of coastal defence in Hong Kong and the South China Coast", from the times of the Ming Dynasty up to our days, including hundreds of interesting exhibits, such as uniforms, old maps, weapons and other historical objects...
The "historic trail" takes the visitors through the remains of the British fort, including the Batteries, the Ditch, the Gunpowder Factory and the Torpedo Station... Old coastal guns and canons are also on display, and when you feel you have had enough of militarism, you can simply enjoy the lovely views towards the Lei Yue Mun Canal)
Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence is open daily (except Thursdays that are not falling on public holidays and the first two days of the Chinese New Year), 10am - 5pm
Entrance fees are HK$ 10 for an adult and HK$ 5 for people with disabilities and seniors above 60 (Free admission on Wednesdays)
For more information, visit the website of the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence (plenty of information about the place and the different exhibits), or call them on 2569 1248
Getting there: From MTR-Shau Kei Wan (or from the tramway-terminus), simply walk down Shau kei Wan Street Main East and proceed with Tung Hei Road until you see the entrance to the museum on your left (see our Shau Kei Wan attractions ), or take a short taxi ride.
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Other places of interest around the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence :
Temples and heritage in Shau Kei Wan
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The Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence is part of our suggested tour: Causeway Bay, Happy Valley and Shau Kei Wan
