Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO)

The AMO plays an important role in the preservation and promotion of Hong Kong’s archaeological and built heritage.

With support from the Antiquities Advisory Board, the AMO is arranging for the Béthanie in Pok Fu Lam and the Cenotaph in Central to be declared as monuments for permanent protection under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance. The declaration procedures are expected to be completed in mid 2013.

The AMO also carried out restoration and repairs on a number of historic buildings. Major projects included: the Yan Tun Kong Study Hall in Ping Shan, the Tung Wah Museum in Yau Ma Tei, the Maryknoll Convent School in Kowloon Tong, the Morrison Building in Tuen Mun, Tai Fu Tai in San Tin, the Tang Kwong U Ancestral Hall in Kam Tin, the Guest House of the Tang Ancestral Hall in Ha Tsuen, and St John’s Cathedral and the Helena May in Central. Archaeological surveys and excavations necessitated by small-scale development projects such as small house development in the New Territories were conducted by the AMO in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Sai Kung, and Cheung Chau. These archaeological surveys and excavations successfully salvaged any archaeological heritage materials at the sites. A long-term exhibition featuring the archaeological and built heritage of the territory is on display at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre. During the year, the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre and the Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery cum Heritage Trail Visitors Centre attracted 217 125 and 78 141 visitors respectively. The AMO also organised a wide variety of educational and publicity programmes including lectures, guided tours, workshops and seminars, all to promote heritage conservation.