Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence
Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence
4.5
Military Museums • Speciality Museums • History Museums
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10:00 - 17:00
Monday
10:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
10:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
10:00 - 17:00
Thursday
10:00 - 17:00
Friday
10:00 - 17:00
Saturday
10:00 - 17:00
Sunday
10:00 - 17:00
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The area
Neighbourhood: A Kung Ngam
How to get there
- Shau Kei Wan • 9 min walk
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4.5
262 reviews
Excellent
116
Very good
121
Average
23
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Susan C
Melbourne, Australia682 contributions
Jan 2023
I took the MTR to Shau Kei Wan Station and walked approximately ten minutes to the Museum partly along the Aldrich Bay Promenade. On this route you can pop in and visit the interesting Tam Kung Temple on the way. You should pick up the very good map of the museum from reception and then take the elevator up to a walkway into the Lyemun (Lei Yue Mun) Fort. The fort or redoubt has been extensively renovated and the top is now covered by a very modern tent-like structure that makes it very light inside. The original casements now house the Museum displays which start from the Yuan Dynasty but contain more detailed information about the Opium Wars, British control and guerilla warfare against the Japanese. They provide an interesting perspective of the various peoples involved in the defence of Hong Kong.
Exiting Lyemun Fort from the upper level allows you to explore of the redoubt's extensive structures - the ditches, the caponiers and viewing platform no. 2. The historical trail (well signposted in both Chinese and English) then wends its way down the hill where the remains of other structures can be seen, allowing you to visit the torpedo installation, barrack ruins, pass battery, drawbridge and proof yard. It is worthwhile going down to the pier and the anchor there for the view though you will need to walk a bit up again. There are three viewing platforms of the Lei Yue Mun Pass and armaments displays including an anti-aircraft gun which gives yet another great view of Lei Yue Mun Pass. Some nice touches are statues of solders and, also, of doves or pigeons that punctuate the walk.
I thought that the best aspect of this museum was it being in a historically relevant and important site and building that gave excellent context. I enjoyed exploring the structures and the opportunity for an outside walk, as well as the excellent views.
Exiting Lyemun Fort from the upper level allows you to explore of the redoubt's extensive structures - the ditches, the caponiers and viewing platform no. 2. The historical trail (well signposted in both Chinese and English) then wends its way down the hill where the remains of other structures can be seen, allowing you to visit the torpedo installation, barrack ruins, pass battery, drawbridge and proof yard. It is worthwhile going down to the pier and the anchor there for the view though you will need to walk a bit up again. There are three viewing platforms of the Lei Yue Mun Pass and armaments displays including an anti-aircraft gun which gives yet another great view of Lei Yue Mun Pass. Some nice touches are statues of solders and, also, of doves or pigeons that punctuate the walk.
I thought that the best aspect of this museum was it being in a historically relevant and important site and building that gave excellent context. I enjoyed exploring the structures and the opportunity for an outside walk, as well as the excellent views.
Written 27 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BradJill
Hong Kong, China155,025 contributions
Dec 2022
The Museum of Coastal Defence at Shau Kei Wan has recently reopened after being closed for repair and renovations for the past four years. The museum is located within the old Lei Yue Mon Fort and is open from 10am to 6pm daily (summer months) and 10am to 5pm daily (winter months). Entry is free to public.
Historically, the Lai Yue Mun fort was built in 1887 to protect the narrow Lei Yue Mun channel and east entry into Victoria Harbour. It was the scene of intense battle during the Japanese invasion in Dec 1941. After the war, it was a training ground for British forces until 1987. In 1993, it was allocated for the site of the future Museum of Coastal Defence, which originally opened to the public in 2000.
The museum of coastal defence is accessed by main lobby lift to the 8/F of the old fort Redoubt which is so perfectly suited for hosting this particular museum. These days the Redoubt serves as an indoor and sheltered exhibition gallery with 11 rooms featuring different interesting themed topics including the building of the fort, coastal defence during the earlier Chinese periods, the British Colonial Period and after Hong Kong's return to China. There are several exhibitions related to the Japanese invasion, local resistance fighters as well as general topics such as that of volunteer forces to have served in Hong Kong.
The exhibition galleries have been given an impressive make-over with the recent reopening of the museum. All displays are new, modern and clean. There remains a lot of text with the various traditional museum wall and counter displays. However, they have added updated films in some exhibition rooms as well as interactive screens and some multimedia additions to help liven up the experience. The various rooms are jammed packed with things to see and learn about. Allow 10-15 minutes per gallery if you want to visit leisurely.
There is a cafe setup with panoramic views at the top level of the redoubt. This is a good place to take a break from viewing various exhibition rooms. Given the vantage point of the cafe, you will be able to view across the Lai Yue Mun Strait and enjoy views of the eastern end of Victoria Harbour as well.
Outside of the Redoubt, visitors can enjoy nice walkways with views as well as 24 war relics, memorials and the likes situated amongst the old fort grounds and along the Historical Trail. You'll see military vehicles, anti-aircraft field guns and other armaments, batteries, fort caponiers, drawbridges, search lights and torpedo installations. Allow around 45-60 minutes to enjoy these sights on the Historical Trail at a leisurely pace.
Note: There is a downloadable museum guide map available on the museum website that provides a detailed layout of the old fort grounds, the Redoubt exhibition programme as well as the various war relics that you can see along the Historic Trail. This is the same brochure you can pick up in the main lobby (1/F) of the fort when visiting the museum.
Note: To visit the museum, the most convenient route is to take the MTR to the Shau Kei Wan Station and walk around 10 minutes to the museum. Alternatively, you can take the Ding Ding Tram to/from the Shau Kai Wan depot with a similar approximately 10 minute walk.
Historically, the Lai Yue Mun fort was built in 1887 to protect the narrow Lei Yue Mun channel and east entry into Victoria Harbour. It was the scene of intense battle during the Japanese invasion in Dec 1941. After the war, it was a training ground for British forces until 1987. In 1993, it was allocated for the site of the future Museum of Coastal Defence, which originally opened to the public in 2000.
The museum of coastal defence is accessed by main lobby lift to the 8/F of the old fort Redoubt which is so perfectly suited for hosting this particular museum. These days the Redoubt serves as an indoor and sheltered exhibition gallery with 11 rooms featuring different interesting themed topics including the building of the fort, coastal defence during the earlier Chinese periods, the British Colonial Period and after Hong Kong's return to China. There are several exhibitions related to the Japanese invasion, local resistance fighters as well as general topics such as that of volunteer forces to have served in Hong Kong.
The exhibition galleries have been given an impressive make-over with the recent reopening of the museum. All displays are new, modern and clean. There remains a lot of text with the various traditional museum wall and counter displays. However, they have added updated films in some exhibition rooms as well as interactive screens and some multimedia additions to help liven up the experience. The various rooms are jammed packed with things to see and learn about. Allow 10-15 minutes per gallery if you want to visit leisurely.
There is a cafe setup with panoramic views at the top level of the redoubt. This is a good place to take a break from viewing various exhibition rooms. Given the vantage point of the cafe, you will be able to view across the Lai Yue Mun Strait and enjoy views of the eastern end of Victoria Harbour as well.
Outside of the Redoubt, visitors can enjoy nice walkways with views as well as 24 war relics, memorials and the likes situated amongst the old fort grounds and along the Historical Trail. You'll see military vehicles, anti-aircraft field guns and other armaments, batteries, fort caponiers, drawbridges, search lights and torpedo installations. Allow around 45-60 minutes to enjoy these sights on the Historical Trail at a leisurely pace.
Note: There is a downloadable museum guide map available on the museum website that provides a detailed layout of the old fort grounds, the Redoubt exhibition programme as well as the various war relics that you can see along the Historic Trail. This is the same brochure you can pick up in the main lobby (1/F) of the fort when visiting the museum.
Note: To visit the museum, the most convenient route is to take the MTR to the Shau Kei Wan Station and walk around 10 minutes to the museum. Alternatively, you can take the Ding Ding Tram to/from the Shau Kai Wan depot with a similar approximately 10 minute walk.
Written 14 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bmartin992
London, United Kingdom17 contributions
Oct 2019
A bit off the beaten track but well worth the effort to get there.
The invasion of HK during WW2 was not a high-point in British colonial history, with HK being completely unprepared for the Japanese invasion from the mainland.
Makes this historical event come alive.
And found out that a family friend had actually played a key role in the escape of the one-armed Chinese general!
The invasion of HK during WW2 was not a high-point in British colonial history, with HK being completely unprepared for the Japanese invasion from the mainland.
Makes this historical event come alive.
And found out that a family friend had actually played a key role in the escape of the one-armed Chinese general!
Written 12 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
westsidewoman1
Kelowna, Canada173 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
A very interesting museum that gives a lot of detail of Hong Kong history especially during the Second World War.
Written 4 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Deepansh J
249 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
Nice museum to visit and spend some time. It is the museum of coastal defence of Hong Kong and must go there as a tourist
Written 8 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mattias E
Kungalv, Sweden52 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
The museum is closed until 2020 for refurbishment, unfortunate that info was only available at the closed gate. At least we got to see the city by the 1h tramride.
Written 28 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China12,241 contributions
Sep 2018 • Family
This museum, housed in a historic fort, tells the military history of Hong Kong from Ming Dynasty to the present. It also displays the weaponry used by the British defense force. The seasonal exhibition is a small centennial commemoration of World War One. The museum is a bit distant from Shau Kei Wan MTR station.
Written 4 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Y F
United Kingdom100 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
It was nice to have an insight about Hong Kong under British rule, and the wars they have been through.
It was a pity that the historic trail was closed today as the centre said a typhoon was on its way. Though we were there and the weather was dry and not windy.
We liked the children centre on the 1st floor where they could try some origami (poppy, tank, submarine and gun). The pictures for the instructions was too difficult for the kids to follow. A video would have been better, though the guard on duty was brilliant at showing us (probably due to several requests because of the instructions).
The cafe was non descript. No snack food of any description was put out for sale, we could see a fridge of drinks but was within the serving bit so you have to ask for your choice. Didn’t see any English menus so we left to get a snack by the MTR instead.
Great views from the 1st floor.
It was a pity that the historic trail was closed today as the centre said a typhoon was on its way. Though we were there and the weather was dry and not windy.
We liked the children centre on the 1st floor where they could try some origami (poppy, tank, submarine and gun). The pictures for the instructions was too difficult for the kids to follow. A video would have been better, though the guard on duty was brilliant at showing us (probably due to several requests because of the instructions).
The cafe was non descript. No snack food of any description was put out for sale, we could see a fridge of drinks but was within the serving bit so you have to ask for your choice. Didn’t see any English menus so we left to get a snack by the MTR instead.
Great views from the 1st floor.
Written 21 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Maplelagjames
Callaway, MN385 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
As a museum and history lover, we visited the Coastal Defense museum and it was a great 3 hours. A most unique site and very well laid out and more than interesting.
Great English captions although a few were hard to read, but gave a great overview of Hong Kong and how it evolved.
It was nice that the former defense location could be used for the museum as the overlooks helped bring it all into context.
On a trip to Hong Kong, I would put this on a do not miss list.
Jim at Maplelag in Minnesota
Great English captions although a few were hard to read, but gave a great overview of Hong Kong and how it evolved.
It was nice that the former defense location could be used for the museum as the overlooks helped bring it all into context.
On a trip to Hong Kong, I would put this on a do not miss list.
Jim at Maplelag in Minnesota
Written 3 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kraerichter
Hong Kong, China94 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
We went here for Fathers day this year. Husband has always wanted to see it. It was a free museum. I was under the impression that it was all outdoor exhibits. Not true. They have a really nice building with a ton of information and history. We got there close to closing time and have plans of going back because we didn't see it all.
Written 10 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Natalia H
Singapore, Singapore48 contributions
do they offer museum tour guide? is it also free of charge or got to give them some tips? thank you
602Tony
Perth, Australia478 contributions
The Museum has free entry.
Consult the Museum if you require a special tour; there are guides to give casual assistance if required. The Museum is well worth the visit.
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Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence
Frequently Asked Questions about Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence
- Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 - 17:00
- Hotels near Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence:
- (0.87 km) Lanson Place Waterfront Suites, Hong Kong
- (1.89 km) EAST Hong Kong
- (4.27 km) Nina Hotel Causeway Bay
- (3.82 km) Nina Hotel Kowloon East
- (5.93 km) Hotel ICON
- Restaurants near Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence:
- (0.49 km) Will's Skewer Kitchen
- (0.49 km) On Lee Noodle
- (0.51 km) An Lee Dai Pai Dong
- (0.69 km) Gateway Cuisine
- (0.52 km) Fung Siu