Temple and mosque proposed as declared monuments

The government on Wednesday proposed declaring Hung Shing Temple in Wan Chai and Stanley Mosque as statutory monuments. The Antiquities and Monuments Office said the two historical buildings have significant heritage value and reached the “high threshold” to be declared as monuments for permanent protection. The office added that it had obtained consent for the intended declaration from the respective owners and management bodies. Hung Shing Temple, believed to have been constructed between 1847 and 1852, is among the oldest surviving temples in Wan Chai. Built along the shoreline, it served fishermen and merchant seamen who were devoted to Hung Shing, known as the “God of the South Sea”. Officials stressed that the temple retains a high degree of authenticity, reflects Wan Chai’s historical evolution and stands as a rare, tangible reminder of the district’s early religious landscape and lasting communal traditions. Built between 1936 and 1937, Stanley Mosque is the city’s second-oldest and is known for being the city's only mosque located within a prison compound. The building constitutes a rare building typology, modelled on the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan. Oriented on an east-west axis, it features an arcaded façade of horseshoe and ogee arches, but skips the traditional minaret found in most mosques. Built thanks to the donations of Indian and Pakistani Muslim prison staff, the office said the mosque stands as a testament to the growth of the Muslim community in Hong Kong and demonstrates the government's respect for religious practices and its commitment to inclusivity. Officials added the mosque retains much of its original form since its completion, with minimal alterations that could be reversed without compromising its integrity. The Antiquities Advisory Board will discuss the proposal on Thursday. Edited by Tony Sabine