Century-old clock tower: A witness to Hong Kong's history

A must-see landmark in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Tsim Sha Tsui clock tower offers visitors from around the world a glimpse into the city's history. Located at the southern tip of the Kowloon Peninsula, it sits adjacent to Victoria Harbour, the Avenue of Stars, and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

Built in 1915 as part of the former Kowloon-Canton Railway Kowloon Terminus, the clock tower has come to symbolize the steam-train era. When the Kowloon Railway Station was relocated in 1975, the clock tower was the only building in Tsim Sha Tsui to be preserved. Listed as a statutory monument in 1990, it remains a popular tourist attraction in Hong Kong.

Rising 44 meters high, the clock tower is primarily constructed of red brick, with marble inlays on its four corners. There is a 7-meter-high lightning rod on its roof and clock faces on all four sides. Every hour, the Victoria Harbour bell rings melodiously, adding a sense of solemnity and tranquility to the surroundings.

Beyond its historical significance, the clock tower has also played a starring role in many Hong Kong movies as an iconic filming location. It famously appeared in Stephen Chow's popular comedies "When Fortune Smiles (1990)" and "Curry and Pepper (1990)," cementing its place in local pop culture.