Former Central Police Station｜A Landmark of Hong Kong History and Art

#HongKongScenicPhotoSpot The Former Central Police Station is located at 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong. Together with the Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison, it forms a declared monument complex, protected under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance since 1995. It is about a 10-minute walk from Exit D2 of MTR Central Station. This group of buildings was originally constructed in the mid-19th century; the police station was completed in 1864 and once served as the police headquarters until its closure in 2004. The Barracks Building (1864) and the Police Headquarters Building (1919) are the most distinctive, featuring Neoclassical architecture with heavy granite staircases and ventilated corridors adapted to Hong Kong’s climate. In 2018, the complex was revitalized as "Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts," renovated with funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and open to the public for free. Tai Kwun hosts contemporary art exhibitions, historical guided tours, and performance spaces. The JC Cube outdoor plaza frequently holds markets and concerts. Popular photo spots include the Barracks Building façade, the prison courtyard, and the exteriors of 16 historic buildings, with nighttime lighting adding a vintage atmosphere. Recommended photo locations are the Hollywood Road entrance or the prison corridors. The nearby Central SOHO area offers dining options like Tim Ho Wan dim sum and Lan Fong Yuen milk tea. It is advisable to visit in the morning, join the free guided tours (reservation required), and avoid weekend crowds to fully experience the charm of Hong Kong’s legal history and cultural fusion. #FormerCentralPoliceStation #TaiKwun #HongKongPhotoSpot #CentralTourism #HeritageAndArt