香港旅遊景點介紹---香港海防博物館(Museum of Coastal Defence)
Hong Kong's strategic position on the South China Sea coast has always made it vulnerable to invasion by sea. One of the formidable military installations built by the British in the 1880s to ward off just such a possibility is now home to an intriguing exhibition of military memorabilia covering the past 600 years of Hong Kong's military history.
The Lei Yue Mun Fort that houses the Museum of Coastal Defence sits perched on the heights overlooking the narrow strip of water at Lei Yue Mun, now famous for its seafood restaurants. The fort's formidable weaponry would have made things difficult for any 19th century invader venturing through the narrow passageway to attack Hong Kong. The British installed several powerful cannons around the fort itself and a Brennan Torpedo Station at sea level so that a "tin fish" would blast any invading ship that got past the guns. Although the guns weren't fired in anger for many years, the fort finally saw action during the Japanese invasion when the defenders suffered heavy casualties as they unsuccessfully defended Hong Kong.
The 34,200-square-metre Museum of Coastal Defence features a Reception Area, Redoubt and Historical Trail that paint a vivid picture of Britain's readiness to defend Hong Kong against any aggressors.
The Redoubt houses the museum's fascinating permanent exhibition entitled "600 Years of Coastal Defence", which includes exhibits and relics from the Ming Period (1368-1644) up to the present.
Several of the Museum's 11 galleries are devoted to the first Opium War (1839-1842), the British period, the Battle of Hong Kong, the Japanese occupation, and The Hong Kong Garrison of the People's Liberation Army (1997). The upper part of the Redoubt, meanwhile, is dedicated to thematic exhibitions such as the Coastal Defence Weapons Theatre and the Cost of War.
The military relics around the Lei Yue Mun headland have been restored and a Historical Trail has been built, enabling visitors to stroll around a variety of interesting relics including a British Comet tank; an armoured personnel carrier and a 10-inch breech-loading gun.
Opening hours:
10am to 5pm daily with last admission at 4:30pm.
Closed on Thursdays and the first two days of the Lunar New Year.
Address: 175 Tung Hei Road, Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2569 1500 (General Enquiry)
Website: http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Coastal/index.html |