The government on Friday conferred monument status on a historic temple in the heart of Wan Chai and a mosque tucked inside Stanley Prison.

In a statement announcing the declarations made under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance, it said Hung Shing Temple, located on Queen's Road East, is one of the district's oldest surviving temples, estimated to have been built between 1847 and 1852.

Dedicated to Hung Shing, the "God of the South Sea," it showcases traditional Lingnan architecture and blends seamlessly with the natural rocky terrain nearby – giving it immense architectural value, the statement said.

"As a significant historic landmark in a modern city, the temple not only reflects Wan Chai's development over the past century, but also stands as a precious reminder of the district's early religious landscape and enduring communal traditions."

Stanley Mosque, located inside Stanley Prison, was built between 1936 and 1937.

It is the second oldest mosque in Hong Kong and the only one inside a prison compound.

The government said the mosque was initiated, funded and built by Indian and Pakistani Muslim staff of the prisons department, the predecessor of the Correctional Services Department, together with the local Indian community.

Modelled on Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, Stanley Mosque is a rare building type in Hong Kong.

It has a symmetrical layout facing the Holy Kaaba in the Saudi city of Mecca, with a flat concrete roof, a crenellated parapet and an arcaded facade featuring horseshoe and ogee ornamental arches.

"The mosque not only stands as a testament to the growth of the Muslim community in Hong Kong, but also demonstrates ethnic harmony within society," according to the government statement.



Edited by Edmond Fong