Antiquities and Monuments Office

The Department’s Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) plays an important role in the preservation and promotion of Hong Kong's archaeological sites and artefacts and built heritage.

Notable AMO achievements during the year included the declaration of three privately-owned historic buildings, Tung Wah Museum in Yau Ma Tei, Man Mo Temple Compound in Sheung Wan and Tang Kwong U Ancestral Hall in Yuen Long, and a government-owned historic building, Kom Tong Hall in Central as monuments for permanent protection under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance. In addition, Ho Tung Gardens, a privately-owned historic building was declared a proposed monument under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance in January 2011, with a validity period of 12 months to allow time for the Government to discuss with the owner ways to preserve the building.

The Man Mo Temple Compound on Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan — a temple of Man Cheong (God of Literature) and Mo Tai (God of Martial Arts) in traditional Chinese style — was declared a monument in November 2010.

The AMO also carried out restoration and repair works on a number of historic buildings, including Kun Lung Wai and Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall in Lung Yeuk Tau, Man Mo Temple in Tai Po, Morrison Building in Tuen Mun, Cheung Shan Monastery in Sha Tau Kok, Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda in Ping Shan, Maryknoll Convent School in Kowloon Tong and St John’s Cathedral in Central. Restoration of Chik Kwai Study Hall in Pat Heung was completed in May 2010. Restoration of the Residence of Ip Ting-sz in Sha Tau Kok and Tang Ancestral Hall in Ha Tsuen are in progress.

Following an archaeological study on the Lung Tsun Stone Bridge in Kai Tak, a conservation management plan, with guidelines for its conservation, was drawn up. Archaeological investigations were also carried out in Tai Po, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Sai Kung and Lamma Island to prevent underground archaeological deposits from being damaged when building houses there.

During the year, the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre and the Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery cum Heritage Trail Visitors Centre attracted 209 017 and 83 390 visitors, respectively. The AMO organised a wide variety of educational and publicity programmes in the form of displays, lectures, guided tours and workshops to promote heritage conservation. A long-term exhibition at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre aims to raise awareness of our rich heritage.

Locals and tourists can learn about Hong Kong’s archaeology and built heritage at the Archaeology Section of the Explore Our Heritage exhibition gallery at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre.