Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware

If you are interested in Chinese tea culture or British colonial architecture, Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware is a right place to visit.

History of Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware

The Former Residence of Commander

Flagstaff House was once the former office and residence of the commander of the British Forces. Built in the 1846 and designed with Greek revival style, it is the best reminder of Hong Kong’s colonial history. Considering Britain took Hong Kong from China in 1842, this is also one of the oldest and few remaining colonial buildings in Hong Kong.

It is known as the Headquarter House until 1932. It was damaged heavily in World War II. Japanese occupying forces repaired it and used also as the residence of the Commandant during the occupation. After the war, it was used again as Commander’s residence until 1978 it was handed over to the Hong Kong government.

Restoration and Conversion to Museum

Hong Kong Government took great effort to restore Flagstaff House as fas as possible to it’s original style. Then in 1984 it was converted to a branch museum of the Hong Kong Museum of Art called Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware. As its name already indicates, this museum focuses on Chinese tea culture and displays an extensive collection of tea ware.

Highlights of Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware

Tea Culture and Tea Ware Exhibitions and Programs

It is the first museum of its kind in the world. Interested visitors have a chance to take a closer look of more than 600 pieces of tea ware and related vessels.

Various posters and videos are introducing the Chinese tea culture and tea preparation. You will have chances to understand history of tea and appreciation of tea.

Aside from the permanent tea ware exhibition, the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware holds regular demonstration, tea gatherings and lecture programs to promote Chinese tea drinking culture.

Architecture and Photography

Before Hong Kong had large area’s land reclamation projects, Flagstaff House was located near the waterfront of Victoria Harbour behind Queen’s Road. It’s hard to image how it was since it is far away from the shoreline nowadays.

Looking at the deep verandahs one can imagine the past when the Flagstaff House used to be the venue for regimental cocktail parties and formal meetings. Today the two-story building is a popular spot to shoot wedding or graduation pictures in Hong Kong.

The K.S.Lo Gallery

The K.S.Lo Gallery is located right next to Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware. It is the new wing of Flagstaff House added in 1995. You will find a fine collection of rare Chinese ceramics and stone seals on the second floor.

Other sightseeing highlights near Flagstaff House :

Hong Kong Park

Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware is located inside Hong Kong Park. The Hong Kong Park is a public park blending the nature scene with modern architecture. It is surrounded by iconic architectures of Hong Kong, such as Bank of China, Lippo Center as well as HSBC Headquarter, giving you a great opportunity for photo shooting. Several historic sites are scattered around Hong Kong Park as well.

Peak Tram Garden Road Station

Peak Tram Garden Road Station is on the east end of Hong Kong Park. As one of Hong Kong’s oldest transportation in Hong Kong, Peak Tram is the best and fastest way going up to Victoria Peak. It is only 5-10 min walk away from the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware through Hong Kong Park.

Pacific Place

Pacific Place is one of the luxury shopping malls in Hong Kong. It is adjacent to Hong Kong Park with an escalator inside the mall. Pacific Place has about 180 shops of luxury brands, providing you a large variety of options for shopping.

More Museums in Hong Kong

More Top Attractions in Hong Kong