Pinewood Battery — Attraction in Hong Kong

The Pinewood Battery is a war relic situated within the Lung Fu Shan Country Park on Hong Kong Island. It is found as part of Heritage Trail setup along Hatton Road, 1.5 km uphill from Kotewall Road in the Central District. The trail is around 400 metres long, passing by 12 different ruins (bunkers, command centre and gun platforms). There are numerous interpretative posters introducing the history of the Battery and the various ruins which remain in place along the trail.

Historically, the Pinewood Battery was originally constructed in 1903 and was the highest coastal defence battery in Hong Kong at 307 metres above sea level. By the end of WWI, the battery was converted into an upgraded anti-aircraft battery. During the Battle of Hong Kong in December 1941, it was received heavy bombarded from Japanese artillery fire then setup up on the captured Kowloon Peninsula and was heavily damaged and eventually evacuated.

After WWII, the Pinewood Battery was abandoned and left as a reminder of the battle scars inflicted upon Hong Kong during the war. Today the landmark Pinewood Battery grounds have been repurposed as a protected heritage area with picnic facilities and a short trail visitors can follow to see and learn about the Pinewood Battery ruins and its history of defending the coast of Hong Kong.

In the end, military and history buffs will greatly appreciate visiting the Pinewood Battery heritage trail. Other visitors will potentially find this an interesting stop to make as part of The Morning Trail up Hatton Road towards...

Unusually located 307 metres above the sea level, Pinewood Battery now deserted (松林廢堡) is the highest of all the coastal defence batteries in Hong Kong and is very high by comparison with coastal defence batteries located in other parts of the world. While Pinewood Battery was associated with World War II, it was originally built in 1901-1905, apparently to ward off a perceived threat from Russia and France.

The pinewood Battery consists of a group of now ruinous buildings and structures largely of concrete construction situated on two flat platform or terraces at the top end of Hatton Road just below the junction with Harlech Road. The two gun emplacements are sited on the upper terrace in tandem facing in a north-west direction, with the battery command post situated in a central position behind them on a...

Start at Pokfulam Reservoir Road and walk along the Peak Trail in a reverse direction. Enter Luguard Road at the Peak to take in the spectacular views of Victoria Harbour on the path skirting around the Peak.

If you follow the trail in the opposite direction along Harlech Road, you will come across a splendid waterfall before arriving at a picnic area. Walk down Hatton Road to visit the relics of the century-old Pinewood Battery, where the traces of war are still evident.

When walking on the Hong Kong Trail, you will find a wealth of historical attractions such as boundary stones and heritage buildings, and plenty of natural signs for the study of the history and geography of Hong...