Living in the city often comes with a fast-paced lifestyle that can be suffocating. It’s rare to have a holiday on the weekend, so it’s important to get away from the city, slow down, and savor life. If you’re not sure where to escape the city in Hong Kong, consider visiting Stanley, a place full of historical charm and a slow-paced lifestyle. Here, we will introduce three must-visit places for your convenience.
A Bit of History
Stanley is located in the southern district of Hong Kong Island, on the Stanley Peninsula. Its name comes from the many kapok trees that used to grow there, with bright red flowers that looked like red pillars in the sunlight, hence the name “Stanley”.
Chek Chue has always been one of the main residential areas on Hong Kong Island, with the name Chek Chue already marked in the Ming Dynasty. As the earliest residents of Hong Kong, many boat people used to gather in Chek Chue, with boats everywhere. However, with the changing times, fishing boats are no longer seen today.
When Hong Kong became a British colony in 1842, Stanley was the capital of Hong Kong Island at that time. Although the administrative center was later moved to the Central and Western District of Hong Kong Island, Stanley still remains one of the residential areas primarily inhabited by Westerners.
In addition, Stanley is also a military stronghold on Hong Kong Island. As early as the Qing Dynasty, there was a camp called Stanley Camp in Stanley. During the British colonial period, the British military set up the Stanley Barracks at Wong Nai Chung to guard against Japanese aggression. Until the outbreak of the Battle of Hong Kong, the British troops stationed in Hong Kong made fierce resistance at the final stronghold of Stanley Battery, and ultimately surrendered temporarily after the fall. Stanley then established the Stanley Internment Camp as a concentration camp for white people. It was not until August 1945, after Japan surrendered, that Stanley was rebuilt. Stanley can be said to have witnessed the ups and downs of Hong Kong.
Chung Hom Kok Beach
When summer arrives, if you want to feel cool and escape the heat, going to the beach is definitely a good choice. However, many beaches are often crowded with people. Therefore, if you want to find a beach with fewer people and don’t mind a more remote location, Chung Hom Kok Beach on Chung Hom Kok Road in Stanley is definitely the best choice.
The Chung Hom Kok Beach is not only peaceful, but if you come in the evening at dusk, you can see the panoramic sunset clearly, witnessing the entire sunset process, experiencing the charm of nature, and feeling the beauty of life. At the same time, Chung Hom Kok Beach also has barbecue pits, with more than twenty barbecue pits available. You can bring food, barbecue while relaxing.
Stanley Battery
Another three must-visit places in Cheung Chau are of course the Cheung Chau Battery, as one of Cheung Chau’s famous attractions, it can be said to be a historical witness left over from the British colonial period. After Hong Kong’s sovereignty was transferred in 1997, the facilities of Cheung Chau Battery were respectively rated as Hong Kong Grade I Historical Buildings.
The Redoubt was built by the British Army stationed in Hong Kong in 1936. After the completion of the fort, the Eastern Coastal Command was moved from Devil’s Peak to here. During the Battle of Hong Kong that broke out on December 8, 1941, the fort became the main defensive stronghold of the British Army in the later stages of the war, repeatedly shelling the Japanese forces invading Hong Kong Island. Despite being subjected to multiple air raids and shelling, as well as the Japanese forces advancing step by step, the British troops there held onto the fort until December 26. Reflecting the sacrifices of Hong Kong during World War II, it symbolizes a significant part of Hong Kong’s history. Therefore, it is definitely a must-see.
Merilou
When it comes to Stanley, of course, we have to mention Murray House, this building that combines Chinese and Western architectural styles, classical and elegant, as one of the few remaining Victorian-style buildings in Hong Kong, reflecting Hong Kong’s colonial history.
Murray House was named after Sir George Murray, the Director of Ordnance when it was built. Originally located at the junction of Garden Road and Admiralty, on Hong Kong Island, it was dismantled in 1982. The Hong Kong government had already planned to relocate and rebuild it elsewhere, so over 3,000 granite blocks from Murray House were numbered and in 1998, it was relocated to Stanley by the sea.
As a building full of history and English Victorian style, it is definitely worth visiting to relieve daily stress.
