Located in Central, Tai Kwun is housed in the old Central Police Station, which has only just reopened to the public after over a decade. It encompasses the 170-year-old Central Police Station, the former Central Magistracy, and Victoria Prison. In total, there are 16 historic structures as well as prison yards and marching grounds, alongside two contemporary buildings – an art gallery and a performing arts theatre – built by Swiss architecture firm Herzog de Meuron (HdM). The complex is bounded on three sides by Old Bailey Street, Hollywood Road and Arbuthnot Road, and is accessible to the public via five entrances, connecting it to Hollywood Road, Lan Kwai Fong and Soho.
Apart from the colonial-era architecture, Tai Kwun has many prime photo-taking spots to offer. There’s the red brick wall of C Hall facing the Barrack Block, which was the passageway that inmates once used to enter and exit their prison cells. The footbridges on three levels make for a great spot to take photos. Other photogenic places in Tai Kwun include the verandahs of the Barrack Block, the red brick façade of the Police Headquarters Block, the spiral staircase of JC Contemporary, the church mural in the Superintendent’s House, the prison yard and the surrounding perimeter wall, the Laundry Steps, and the height chart formerly used to measure incoming prisoners in F Block.
The mood here is very atmospheric and cultural, so I would advise wearing daintier clothes to match – both times I visited wearing a white blouse with a dark blue skirt for an outfit that was a bit more formal, and the skirt was perfect for more dynamic shots.
Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Hong Kong
Editor
Elva Ni
