Government House, Hong Kong
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Designed by Charles St George Cleverly and built in 1855, the Government House was the residence of the Governor of Hong Kong from 1855 to 1997. It is located on the Government Hill, Central, Hong Kong Island.
The first Governor to live there was Sir John Bowring, the 4th Governor of the territory. The last one was the last Governor, Chris Patten.
In 1891, an annex was added to the house for social functions (namely the Ballroom). During the Japanese occupation during World War II (1941-1945), it was occupied by the Japanese Military Governor. The form of the building changed to a hybrid Japanese / NeoClassical image by Seichi Fujimura in 1944, primarily through the addition of a tower and roof elements.
Since the handover of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China (1997), the House has become a guesthouse and is used for formal banquets. Donald Tsang, the Chief Executive-elect, has shown his intention to move it.
Rooms and key areas in Government House:
- Front Lawn and Main Entrance
- Main Foyer
- Small Dining Room
- Ballroom
- Bonsai Terrace
- Drawing Room
- Dining Room
- Back Garden
- Tower
Trivia
According to an urban legend, the nearby Bank of China Tower was deliberately designed to shape like a blade so as to bring bad Feng Shui to the Government House and its British administration.
See also
External link
- Government House Monument (http://www.info.gov.hk/ce/govindex.htm), official website