Tai Kwun

Dating back to the mid-19th century i.e. year 1864, Tai Kwun (Central Police Station in the past) comprised some of the earliest structures built under British colonial rule. The site began to serve the functions of police station, magistracy and prison, forming an integrated law enforcement system.
In 1995, the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance designated the former Central Police Station, the Central Magistracy, and the Victoria Prison as Declared Monuments. In 2004, the previous Central Police Station was shut down and was used for 140 years.
In 2008, the Government of the Hong Kong SAR and The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced a not-for-profit plan, which means Tai Kwun would operate under a non-profit model, to revitalise the Central Police Station compound.
In 2011, pre-construction preparatory works started.
Ten years later, Tai Kwun is opened to public from 8am–11pm and it is free to pay a visit there due to the not-for-profit revitalization plan in 2008 .

The naming of Tai Kwun is due to its significance of reminding people about the historical importance of the former Central Police station. In Chinese, Tai Kwun means Big station. There are a special mix of heritage and contemporary architecture as it is a centre for heritage and arts which organizes exhibitions and programmes.

In 2019, Tai Kwun receives the Award of Excellence in the 2019 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. Under the government regulations of COVID19, Tai Kwun is open with limited services and access. Unfortunately, all exhibitions, guided tours, performances, events, and workshops will gradually resume from February 25, 2021. Yet, we can still pay a visit there to know more about the history of Tai Kwun after its revitalization project.