The Golden Bauhinia Square is an open square located in a reclaimed land Wan Chai, Hong Kong next to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The square was named after the giant statue of a golden Bauhinia blakeana (commonly called as Hong Kong orchid) at the center of the area, marking the spot where the ceremonies for the return of Hong Kong and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was held the night of 30 June 1997.
I went here at 10:50 a.m. HKT on April 14, 2011. This was during my first time in Hong Kong, the first international territory on my list.
The Golden Bauhinia at the Golden Bauhinia Square
Golden Bauhinia
The Golden Bauhinia sculpture is a 6 meters high forever blooming gilded flower Bauhinia composed of a Bauhinia on a base of red granite pillar on a pyramid. It is deemed an important symbol for the Hong Kong people after the handover.
As a tourist attraction
Today, the Golden Bauhinia Square is considered a tourist attraction. On the second day of Chinese New Year and National Day of the People’s Republic of China (October 1), the square is lighted up by a firework show. Every day, visitors can catch a flag-raising ceremony held at 7:50 a.m. – 8:05 a.m. HKT conducted by the Hong Kong Police Force or by different local youth uniformed groups.
Near the Golden Bauhinia stands the Reunification Monument bearing inscriptions of President Jiang Zemin’s calligraphy.
How to get to Golden Bauhinia Square
Take Wan Chai MTR Exit A5. Walk along the crossover for about 10 minutes and turn to the Golden Bauhinia Square, right next to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Golden Bauhinia Square
1 Expo Drive
Wan Chai, Hong Kong