Former Yamen Building of Kowloon Walled City — Attraction in Hong Kong

Kowloon Walled City: 📽️A Cinematic Journey – A Must for History Buffs & Curious Minds!

My husband and I have long been fascinated by the history of the Kowloon Walled City—what was once a densely packed, lawless urban enclave right in the heart of Hong Kong.

It still existed just a few short decades ago, and after learning about it during a walking tour five years ago, we’ve been intrigued ever since (okay… borderline obsessed, if I’m honest!).

Since then, we’ve sought out every exhibition we could find—from earlier displays at this very site, to pop-ups at Hong Kong Airport, and more recently at the Kai Tak Airside Mall. But this Cinematic Journey exhibition is hands down the most immersive and atmospheric we’ve seen yet.

Despite the heat and humidity on the day 🥵we visited, the whole experience was smooth and well-organized.

As this is a relatively new exhibition, there were a few ‘group tours’ the day we visited. Local friends have recommended that people go during the week (we went on a Sunday) or to wait a few months after the hot & humid temps go down! We were too keen to go so we braved it anyway! 😉

We had no trouble booking a time slot, and everyone was so respectful of each other’s space and photo moments. There's a 'quiet understanding' that everyone wants their snaps—and there’s plenty of room and time to take them without feeling rushed 📸

The staff were fantastic 🤩—helpful, friendly, and spoke Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. Whether it was at the ticket counter or inside the exhibition itself, they were kind and welcoming throughout.

This temporary exhibition will be up for the next three years, so whether you're a tourist, a history lover, or just curious about one of Hong Kong’s most mysterious and misunderstood neighborhoods, I highly recommend checking it out.

The Kowloon Walled City was once dubbed the “Forbidden City” of Hong Kong—a chaotic maze of gangs, drugs, illegal dentistry, prostitution, and unspeakable crimes… and somehow, that’s exactly what makes it so fascinating. 😅

🗺️ Discover it...

Hong Kong started out as a fishing village, but Kowloon was also once an important centre for salt production — so important that an imperial Chinese administrative office, or yamen, had to be built to govern the area. In 1996, the Yamen Building, located with in Kowloon Walled City Park, was declared a monument. The Qing government built the Kowloon Walled City in 1847 as a garrison town and military outpost. Serving as the administrative office of the assistant magistrate of Kowloon, the Yamen Building comprised three halls and two courtyards built from grey bricks. After the Qing officials departed in 1899, the Yamen Building was used as a home for the aged, clinic, an orphanage and a home for widows. In 1987, the government announced that the demolishment of Kowloon Walled City, and the preservation of Yamen Building. With two cannons that were made in 1802, during the reign of Qing Dynasty Emperor Jiaqing are positioned on either side of the Yamen's front yard. Inside the Yamen, you can find stone tablets relating to the Walled City, photos of the Walled City, as well as drawings and essays related to the creation of Kowloon Walled City Park, are prominently displayed. The Yamen is the only building that remains of the Walled City. It was designed in the architectural style of southern China, with three rows and four wings of houses. Its walls and column bases are built of brick and granite, while the roof is a traditional structure crafted of China fir and covered with cylindrical and flat tiles. The word "ALMSHOUSE" was engraved over the front door of the Yamen, signifying that it had been used as a home for the aged. Upon restoration,-Yamen becomes one of the eight scenes of the...

There is an exhibition based on the movie at the Yamen. Get a ticket at the booth outside the entrance. Each group has 15 minutes which goes super fast. Not you can get another ticket after exiting if you want to spend more time inside. My father was a cop and had told me stories about the walled city. Must visit before the exhibition ends. By the way it’s...