Hong Kong has converted 16 low-rise heritage buildings from the British colonial era into a centre for the arts, and cultural heritage. Known as Tai Kwun, the mid 19th century site is located in the business district of Hong Kong, surrounded by high-rise commercial buildings. Take a look!

Today it welcomes visitors for art exhibitions, music and drama performances and cultural exhibitions and activities.

But Hong Kong's newest art centre was once a one-stop approach for law and order during the colonial era. The centre complex includes the former Central Police station, Armoury, Inspectors and Sergeants' Quarters, Barrack Block, Central Magistracy, prisoners' admissions block and prisons.

The prison guards have long gone - instead Hong Kong's skyscrapers now surround and watch over the 150 year old buildings.

WINNIE YEUNG, HEAD OF HERITAGE TAI KWUN CENTER FOR HERITAGE & ARTS "The vision behind the revitalisation project of the former Police Station compound is to have a cluster of historic buildings including 16 buildings which are actually comprised of three declared monuments so that includes the former Central Police Station, the Central Magistracy and the Victoria Prison. All of them being conserved and revitalised with the two new buildings to turn it into a center of heritage and art."

The conservation and revitalisation aims to bring the historic buildings back to life by following international conservation standards.

The project started in 2007, cost 3.8 billion HK dollars and opened to the public in late May of this year.

LEE HO YIN, HEAD OF DIVISION DIVISION OF ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION PROGRAMMES, HK UNIVERSITY "Well I definitely think that this revitalisation of this formal central police station compound in Hong Kong meets the international standard. Because you know, of the rigour seen of the various consultants and builder to carry out the project. I've been told that a builder, he's kind of complaining with a smile, that one wall took them, like, you know, seven weeks to clean. So they're taking very meticulous care, not only to preserve the physical fabric, to return it to its original condition, but it's done so with the purpose that it will be fitting to tell a more complete story."

The history of the buildings dates back to the mid-19th century. The former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison were listed as Declared Historic Monuments in Hong Kong in 1995. SW CGTN.