Thursday Doors: Statue Square

The other day, my husband and I enjoyed a walk around Statue Square. Stepping off the bus and onto the square, the joyful chatter and laughter swirled around us from visitors and domestic helpers relaxing on their day off.

The square was created at the end of the nineteenth century on reclaimed land. It is located on Hong Kong Island and sits across the street from the main branch of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, which towers over the square at forty-four floors high.

The name “Statue Square” refers to the statues which once stood on the square, mainly of British royalty. It was initially named “Royal Square” and a statue of Queen Victoria was erected. The statues stood on the square until after World War II. Today, the only statue left standing there is the one of Sir Thomas Jackson, an early manager of HSBC. Queen Victoria’s statue now stands in another place, Victoria Park.

This door leads into the Court of Final Appeal Building which formerly housed the Supreme Court, now the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong. It stands to one side of the square. The door faces Sir Thomas Jackson’s statue and the seal of Hong Kong hangs above it.

This door leads into the Bank of China (Hong Kong) building which sits on the site where the old City Hall used to be. Passerbys have their photo taken with the lions who stand guard. Touching their paws and nose are thought to bring good luck.