Antiquities and Monuments Office

Through the Antiquities and Monuments Office, the Department plays an important role in the preservation and promotion of Hong Kong's archaeology and built heritage.

Notable achievements during the year included the declaration of the Maryknoll Convent School, King Yin Lei and the Green Island lighthouse compound as monuments. Under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Cap 53), the Office also carried out restoration and repair works to a number of historical buildings, including the Hau Ku Shek Ancestral Hall in Ho Sheung Heung, Fan Sin Temple in Sheung Wun Yiu, Yeung Hau Temple in Ha Tsuen, Tai Fu Tai in San Tin and The Helena May in Central. Full restoration of the Chik Kwai Study Hall also commenced in October 2008.

The main building of the Maryknoll Convent School, built in 1937, and its convent, were declared a monument in 2008.

The Office also conducted rescue excavations at archaeological sites threatened by development, helped with environmental impact assessment studies for development projects and monitored the implementation of mitigation measures.

In 2008, the remains of Longjin Bridge were discovered during the archaeological impact assessment of the Kai Tak Development, and a conservation plan is currently being drawn up. A large-scale rescue excavation at So Kwun Wat, Tuen Mun was launched in November 2008 and was completed in late July 2009. Archaeological surveys were also carried out in Sai Kung, Yuen Long, Lamma Island and Sha Tau Kok to protect underground archaeological deposits from being damaged by building work.

The remains of Longjin Bridge, a landing pier constructed between 1873 and 1875 to link the main gate of the Kowloon Walled City to the coast, were discovered during an archaeological impact assessment of the Kai Tak Development.

During the year, the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre and the Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery cum Heritage Trail Visitors Centre attracted 142 961 and 97 711 visitors, respectively. The latter features folk culture and attractions along the Ping Shan Trail, whilst the former provides information and presents thematic exhibitions on Hong Kong's heritage. Major exhibitions organised during the year included Building Together: 160 Years of Hong Kong ------- French Common Heritage and Perspectives and Preserving Hong Kong's Archaeological and Built Heritage.

A new electronic database system, namely, the Hong Kong Traditional Chinese Architectural Information System, was launched in March 2008 to enable the public to gain access to information about 200 traditional Chinese villages and buildings.