Hong Kong has two new additions to its list of declared monuments: the Tin Hau Temple at Joss House Bay and The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong in Sheung Wan. Their inclusion in the list entitles them to special protection under the Antiquities Authority, which can prevent alterations or impose conditions on any proposed alterations to protect these monuments.
Tin Hau Temple at Joss House Bay in Sai Kung, also known as The Temple, is one of the oldest and largest temples in Hong Kong dedicated to the Chinese goddess of the sea. It is also among the few existing Tin Hau temples located close to the seashore. The monument, locally called Tai Miu, retains many historic architectural and decorative elements, including granite columns, murals at the incense pavilion, screen doors, timber cornice boards, and floor tiles.
The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong located at Bridges Street in Sheung Wan was built in 1918. The building, known as the Bridges Street Centre, was home to the first headquarters building of the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong until it moved to Waterloo Road in Kowloon in 1966. The structure retains the indoor heated swimming pool and the elevated wok-shaped timber running track supported by a cantilever structure, which were the first of its kind in Hong Kong.
The last time that Hong Kong added to its declared monuments list was in 2022, when Hong Kong City Hall, Jamia Mosque, and Lui Seng Chun were accorded Grade 1 historic building status. The list has now expanded to include 134 monuments, with the most recent additions of the Sai Kung Tin Hau Temple and The Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong.
Header image credits: GovHK
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