Historic Military Sites to Visit in Hong Kong

The military history of Hong Kong is shaped by its strategic location on the South China coast, making it a key military and naval hub for various powers over the centuries. Before British rule, Hong Kong was a sparsely populated region under Chinese control. The area was occasionally raided by pirates and saw limited military activity apart from local garrisons maintained by imperial China. 

                              

The First Opium War (1839–1842) was fought between Britain and the Qing Dynasty over trade disputes, primarily concerning opium. British forces, under Commodore James Bremer, captured Hong Kong Island on January 25, 1841. The war ended with the Qing ceding Hong Kong to Britain in perpetuity under the Treaty of Nanking (1842). Britain, along with France, fought another war against China (1856–1860). Britain gained the Kowloon Peninsula after the Convention of Peking in 1860, thus Hong Kong became a major British naval base and trading port. 

Hong Kong was part of the larger Pacific Campaign of WWII. Japanese forces launched a surprise attack on the same day as the Pearl Harbor attack. British, Canadian, Indian, and local Hong Kong forces resisted for 18 days. On December 25, 1941, The British garrison, under Governor Sir Mark Aitchison Young, surrendered to Japan. From 1941-1945, Hong Kong fell under Japanese Occupation, where it was ruled harshly with widespread executions,  forced labor, and starvation. Hong Kong was a base for Japanese military operations in the region. The resistance movement, including Chinese guerrilla groups, engaged in sabotage and intelligence-gathering. After Japan’s surrender in World War II, British forces reoccupied Hong Kong on August 30, 1945.  British forces strengthened Hong Kong’s defenses amid fears of Chinese communist expansion after the 1949 Communist victory in China. Major British military installations were set up, including the Stonecutters Island naval base and other garrisons. 

The 1967 Hong Kong riots, influenced by Maoist ideology, led to clashes between British troops and communist sympathizers. Hong Kong served as a strategic hub for the US and its allies during the Vietnam War.  British military forces began a phased withdrawal before the 1997 Handover. The last British garrison left Hong Kong on June 30, 1997. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China entered Hong Kong on July 1, 1997, immediately after the Handover. Since 1997, the PLA has maintained a non-interventionist stance in Hong Kong affairs, per the Basic Law. The PLA’s role is largely symbolic, with its forces stationed in barracks across the city, including in the former British military bases. During the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests, the PLA did not directly intervene but maintained a visible presence. China has since reinforced security control in Hong Kong through legal and intelligence measures.

Hong Kong’s military history reflects its importance as a strategic outpost, from the Opium Wars to World War II, the Cold War, and the modern era under China. While once a heavily fortified British colony, today its military role is largely under the control of Beijing’s PLA.

Historic Military Sites

Hong Kong has numerous historic military sites that reflect its strategic military importance over the centuries. These sites span from the Qing Dynasty forts to British colonial defenses and World War II battlefields.

                              

Here are some of the most significant ones:

1. Qing Dynasty & Early Coastal Defenses

Tung Chung Fort 

Built in the 19th century during the Qing Dynasty to combat piracy and defend the coastline.

Features well-preserved stone walls and six old cannons.

Later used as a police station before being declared a monument.

Kowloon Walled City 

Originally built as a Chinese military outpost in 1847 to counter British expansion.

Became a lawless enclave in the 20th century before its demolition in 1993.

Now a park, but remnants of the South Gate and part of the wall remain.

2. British Colonial Military Defenses

Victoria Barracks

One of the earliest British military bases, established in the mid-19th century.

Housed British troops until the late 20th century.

Now transformed into Hong Kong Park, but some old buildings remain.

Stonecutters Island

A key Royal Navy base used for refueling and defense.

Taken over by the PLA after 1997 and remains an active military site.

Lyemun Fort 

Built in the 1880s to guard the eastern entrance to Victoria Harbour.

Played a role in the Battle of Hong Kong (1941).

Now houses the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence.

Gun Emplacements at Mount Davis

Constructed in the late 19th century to defend the western approach to Hong Kong.

Featured artillery batteries that engaged Japanese forces in 1941.

Now abandoned, but remnants of gun platforms and tunnels remain.

3. World War II Battlefields & Sites

Gin Drinkers Line 

A defensive line modeled after France’s Maginot Line, stretching across Kowloon.

Designed to slow a Japanese invasion but was quickly breached in 1941.

Some bunkers and pillboxes can still be visited in Shing Mun Country Park.

Shing Mun Redoubt

A key defensive position along the Gin Drinkers Line.

Features an underground bunker system.

Now accessible via hiking trails.

Wong Nai Chung Gap

The site of intense fighting during the Battle of Hong Kong.

Several wartime pillboxes and artillery positions remain.

Commemorated by the Wong Nai Chung Gap Trail.

Stanley Military Cemetery

Burial site for British, Canadian, and Hong Kong defenders killed in the 1941 battle.

Includes war graves maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Sai Wan War Cemetery

A resting place for 1,528 Allied soldiers, mostly from Britain and Canada.

Overlooks Victoria Harbour and remains a solemn memorial.

4. Cold War & Modern Era Sites

Shek Kong Airfield

Originally built by the British for Royal Air Force (RAF) operations.

Now used by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

Central Barracks (Former HMS Tamar)

The British Royal Navy’s headquarters in Hong Kong. Now the PLA Hong Kong Garrison Headquarters.

                             

 These historic sites provide a glimpse into Hong Kong’s complex military past, from coastal defenses against pirates to British fortifications and World War II battlegrounds. Many of them are now preserved as cultural landmarks, hiking trails, or museums.                    

                         

Why Visit Historic Military Sites in Hong Kong?

Visiting Hong Kong’s historic military sites offers a unique blend of history, nature, and culture. Walk through battlefields, bunkers, and forts where British, Canadian, and Hong Kong troops fought in World War II. Learn about the Battle of Hong Kong (1941) and the city’s resilience during the Japanese occupation. Visit war cemeteries and memorials to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers. See well-preserved British colonial forts, barracks, and gun emplacements from the 19th and 20th centuries. Explore underground bunkers, tunnels, and pillboxes used for strategic defense. Admire military design from different eras, from Qing Dynasty forts to Cold War airfields.

                               

Many historic military sites, such as Mount Davis, Wong Nai Chung Gap, and the Gin Drinkers Line, are located on Hong Kong’s scenic mountains. Hike through lush country parks while visiting old war ruins. Enjoy panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, the South China Sea, and Kowloon. These sites are less crowded compared to major tourist spots like Victoria Peak or Tsim Sha Tsui. Perfect for history buffs, photographers, and adventurers looking for a different side of Hong Kong. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a hiker, or just curious, visiting Hong Kong’s military sites offers a unique and meaningful experience beyond the city’s skyscrapers and shopping districts. It’s a great way to explore history while enjoying nature and breathtaking views.