Victoria City Boundary Stone 1903: A witness to Hong Kong's history

Table of Contents

Historical Background of the Victoria City Boundary Stones
Geographical Distribution and Current Status of the Boundary Stones
Purpose and Symbolic Meaning of the Boundary Stones
Influence of the Boundary Stones on Hong Kong’s Urban Development
How to Locate and Preserve the Boundary Stones
FAQ

Historical Background of the Victoria City Boundary Stones

Victoria City was the earliest urban core developed during Hong Kong’s colonial period, encompassing present-day Central, Sheung Wan, Western District, and parts of Wan Chai. The Boundary Stones of Victoria City were erected in 1903 by the British colonial government to mark the official boundaries of Victoria City at the time. These stones not only serve as evidence of Hong Kong’s early urban planning but also reflect the British colonial administration’s approach to governance.

In the mid-19th century, as Hong Kong became a British colony, Victoria City rapidly expanded. To define the city’s limits, the Hong Kong government installed several boundary stones in 1903, inscribed with the words “CITY BOUNDARY 1903”.

Geographical Distribution and Current Status of the Boundary Stones

Currently, nine Victoria City boundary stones have been identified, located at various sites across Hong Kong Island, including:

City of Victoria Boundary Stone 1903 (Wong Nai Chung Road)About 90m from the junction of Broadwood Road Road, the intersection of the Wong Nai Chung Road and the eastern boundary of the City of Victoria.
City of Victoria Boundary Stone 1903 (Bowen Road)About 330m from the junction of Stubbs Road, the intersection of the Bowen Road and the eastern boundary of the City of Victoria.
City of Victoria Boundary Stone 1903 (Mount Nicholson)On the northwest slope of Mount Nicholson, the intersection point of the eastern boundary of the City of Victoria and the 700 feet contour line.
City of Victoria Boundary Stone 1903 (Old Peak Road)About 50m from the junction of Tregunter Path, the intersection of the Old Peak Road and the 700 feet contour line.
City of Victoria Boundary Stone 1903 (Hatton Road)About 570m from the junction of Conduit Road, the intersection of the Kotewall Road and the 700 feet contour line.
City of Victoria Boundary Stone 1903 (Lung Fu Shan)On the southwest slope of Lung Fu Shan, the intersection point of the southern boundary of the City of Victoria and the 700 feet contour line.
City of Victoria Boundary Stone 1903 (PokFuLam Road)About 280m from the junction of Pokfield Road, the intersection of the Pok Fu Lam Road and the southern boundary of the City of Victoria.
City of Victoria Boundary Stone 1903 (Mount Davis)On the northwest slope of Mount Davis, the intersection point of the western and southern boundary of the City of Victoria.
City of Victoria Boundary Stone 1903 (Kennedy Town)Kennedy Town Temporary Recreation Ground, Sai Ning Street.(Moved to current location in 1978, originally situated at the northern end of the western boundary of the City of Victoria, where the current site is Serene Court.)

Many of these stones are hidden along streets, hillsides, or near buildings, with some lost or damaged due to urban development. However, several remain well-preserved and have become points of interest for history enthusiasts and heritage conservationists.

Complete Victoria City Boundary Stones 1903 Tour Route

Route Highlights: Visit all 9 Victoria City Boundary Stones in one go—ideal for history buffs, hikers, and photo enthusiasts.Recommended Transport: Mostly walking + bus/minibus, with some hiking required.Total Time Needed: ~5-6 hours (depending on stops).

🚩 Starting Point: Kennedy Town

Boundary Stone 9: Kennedy Town Temporary Playground📍 Location: Sai Ning Street Playground (near Sai Ning Court)🚌 Transport:
- MTR Kennedy Town Station Exit B (~5 min walk)
- Buses: 1, 5B, 10, 101, etc.

🚌 Next Stop: Mount Davis

Boundary Stone 8: Northwest slope of Mount Davis📍 Location: Near Mount Davis Path/Jubilee Battery (~20 min hike)🚶 Transport:
- Minibus 54 from Kennedy Town or ~30 min walk uphill

🚌 Next Stop: Pok Fu Lam Road

Boundary Stone 7: Pok Fu Lam Road near Pokfield Road📍 Location: Sidewalk of Pok Fu Lam Road (near HKU Station)🚌 Transport:
- From Mount Davis, take Bus 1/10 towards Central, alight at "Pokfield Road"

🚶 Hike to Lung Fu Shan

Boundary Stone 6: Southwest slope of Lung Fu Shan📍 Location: Inside Lung Fu Shan Country Park (~15 min hike)🚶 Route:
- Walk up Hatton Road from Pok Fu Lam Road

🚌 Next Stop: Hatton Road

Boundary Stone 5: Hatton Road near Conduit Road🚶 Transport:
- ~10 min walk from Lung Fu Shan

🚶 Walk to Old Peak Road

Boundary Stone 4: Old Peak Road near Tregunter Path🚶 Route:
- ~20 min walk from Hatton Road

🚕 Take a Taxi to Mount Nicholson

Boundary Stone 3: Northwest slope of Mount Nicholson📍 Location: Mount Nicholson Path (~30 min hike)🚕 Transport:
- Taxi from Old Peak Road to Mount Nicholson Path entrance

🚌 Next Stop: Bowen Road

Boundary Stone 2: Bowen Road near Stubbs Road📍 Location: Bowen Road Fitness Trail🚌 Transport:
- Walk to Stubbs Road, take Bus 15B/76

🚶 Walk to Wong Nai Chung Road

Boundary Stone 1: Wong Nai Chung Road near Lokhart Road🚶 Route:
- ~15 min walk from Bowen Road

🏁 End Point: Causeway Bay / Happy Valley

🚌 Departure Options:

Walk to Happy Valley Tram Terminus or Causeway Bay MTR Station

📌 Route Optimization Tips:✅ Split into 2 days (West HK Island + East HK Island)✅ Taxi/Self-drive saves time (ideal for non-hikers)✅ Essentials: Water, sunscreen, map (some stones are hidden)

This route allows you to collect all 9 boundary stones while exploring Hong Kong’s history! 📸🗺️

Purpose and Symbolic Meaning of the Boundary Stones

These stones served several key purposes:

Defining City Limits – Establishing Victoria City’s boundaries for urban planning.
Taxation & Legal Jurisdiction – Different laws/taxes applied inside vs. outside the boundary.
Symbol of Colonial Rule – Reflecting British governance and urban planning ideologies.

Influence on Hong Kong’s Urban Development

Foundation of Urban Planning – Marked the start of structured city expansion.
Regional Development Divide – Areas inside the boundary became commercial hubs, while outer areas developed later.
Cultural & Historical Value – The stones now serve as heritage landmarks.

How to Locate and Preserve the Boundary Stones

Finding the Stones:

Consult historical maps/records.
Conduct field visits to known locations.
Join heritage conservation groups for updates.

Preservation Efforts:

Raise public awareness (social media/education).
Advocate for government protection (e.g., heritage listing).
Encourage community involvement in maintenance.

FAQ

❓ What is the historical value of these stones?

They document Hong Kong’s colonial urban planning and governance.

❓ Can all stones still be found?

Nine are documented, but some are lost due to urban development.

❓ Why do they say “CITY BOUNDARY 1903”?

This marks the year of installation and Victoria City’s limits.

❓ How can I help preserve them?

Support heritage groups, report damage, or promote their significance.

❓ Do they still impact modern Hong Kong?

While no longer administrative markers, they remain vital cultural relics.

The Victoria City Boundary Stones are not just historical artifacts—they are milestones in Hong Kong’s urban evolution. By preserving them, we honor the city’s past and pass this heritage to future generations.Victoria City Boundary Stone 1903: A witness to Hong Kong's history