Hong Kong Area Guides: Hong Kong Cemetery, Happy Valley 香港墳場
Hong Kong Cemetery in Happy Valley, south of Causeway Bay, is an early Christian cemetery dating from the colonial period in Hong Kong.
It began in 1845 and is, in fact, the oldest western cemetery in Hong Kong. There is also a Hindu Cemetery, Jewish Cemetery, Muslim Cemetery, Parsee Cemetery, Protestant Cemetery and St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery. In addition a special Japanese section occupies part of the cemetery.
The various cemeteries contain the graves of 79 Commonwealth soldiers from the First World War and 62 from the Second World War along with a diverse cross section of former residents of and visitors to Hong Kong.
The Stanley Military Cemetery in Stanley in the south of Hong Kong Island also contains the remains of British, Chinese, Canadian and Indian victims of conflict.
History
The cemetery contains the graves of both civilian and military personnel from the beginning of the colonial era.
These include a number of notable and wealthy people including the businessman and philanthropist Sir Robert Ho Tung (1862-1956), the British-Indian businessman Sir Paul Chater (1846-1926), Dr William Morrison and Sir Kai Ho Kai (1859-1914), once a teacher of Sun Yat-sen. Kai Tek Airport was named after him.
Chinese Christians and many Christian missionaries to Hong Kong are also interred here.
The chapel within the grounds, the Chapel of the Resurrection is believed to be the oldest western building in Hong Kong also built in 1845 by the Hong Kong Public Works Department.
Due to the calm and peaceful nature of the place, the cemetery is home to a surprising amount of wildlife including butterflies, bats, birds, fireflies and lizards.
Happy Valley Access - Getting to Happy Valley
1J Wong Nai Chung Road
Happy Valley
Hong Kong
Hours: Daily from April 1st to September 30th; 7 am to 7 pm; October 1st to March 31st: 7 am to 6 pm.
Happy Valley Cemetery is opposite Happy Valley Racecourse on Wong Nai Chung Road.
By tram from Happy Valley Terminus get off at the Colonial Cemetery stop. Alternatively, the cemetery is a 10 minute walk south from Causeway Bay MTR (Jardine's Bazaar Exit) or 20 minutes from the MTR station in Wan Chai.
By bus take a #603A to Happy Valley Racecourse or any of #6, #6A, #6X, #10, #15, #66, #109 or #113 to St. Joseph's Primary School on Queen's Road East.
The Hong Kong Racecourse Museum is nearby as are two hotels. These are The Emperor Hotel Wan Chai and Dorsett Wanchai.
Further information at hkcemetery.org and Commonwealth War Graves
Book Hotel Accommodation in Hong Kong China
Book Hotels in Hong Kong - Booking.com
Hotels in Hong Kong - Agoda
Find Hotels in Kowloon - Booking.com
Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong
Search Hotels in Macau - Booking.com
Venetian Macau Resort Hotel
Budget Hotels in Hong Kong - Booking.com