The Golden Bauhinia Square is located in Wan Chai, right outside Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) Extension. It is close to Wan Chai Temporary Promenade and facing Victoria Harbour. At the centre of the square, there is a giant statue of a golden Bauhinia blakeana. It is one of the tourist attractions in Hong Kong, particularly on the days with firework shows over the harbour, which are the second day of Chinese New Year, the National Day of the People’s Republic of China, and Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day.

Bauhinia blakeana at Golden Bauhinia Square

You may have heard that Bauhinia blakeana, also known as Hong Kong Orchid Tree, is the city flower of Hong Kong. The conspicuous purplish red flower has officially become Hong Kong’s floral emblem since 1965. While the flower was believed to be first discovered in Pokfulam, Hong Kong Island by a priest from the French Mission in 1880, Bauhinia ‘blakeana’ is named after a plant lover, Sir Henry Arthur BLAKE, the 12th Governor of Hong Kong (1898-1903).

Let’s get back to the Golden Bauhinia Square Hong Kong. Actually, the golden Bauhinia blakeana statue was given by the Central Government to Hong Kong Government as a present to celebrate the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong. The gilded flower sculpture, named “Forever Blooming Bauhinia”, symbolizes Hong Kong’s prosperity thereafter. The bronze casting sculpture is six-meter tall and weighs 70 tons, with a red granite base. On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong Chief Executive, Tung Chee Hwa and the Vice Premier, Qian Qichen presided over the opening ceremony of the square. Since then, it has become a popular tourist attraction, especially for visitors from Mainland China.

Golden Bauhinia Square Flag Raising Ceremony

There are three types of flag raising ceremony: Daily Flag Raising Ceremony, 7:50–8:03am (every day except 1st of each month), Enhanced Flag Raising Ceremony, 7:45–8:13am (on the 1st of every month, except July and October) and the Special Flag Raising Ceremony (1 July and 1 October).

The daily flag raising ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia Square Wan Chai is conducted by Hong Kong police officers in ceremonial uniform and includes the playing of the national anthem. The differences in the enhanced ceremony are: police officers are accompanied by a rifle unit in formal attire, the playing of the national anthem by the Police Band, and a 10-minute musical performance by the Police Pipe Band. On the second Sunday of each month, the flag raising ceremony is conducted by different local youth uniformed groups without a band performance.

Please note that the flag-raising ceremony will be canceled under adverse weather conditions, which are, the thunderstorm warning, the red and black rainstorm warning, and Typhoon Signal No. 3 or above. You are advised to check the weather forecast if you are planning to watch the flag-raising ceremony.

How to get to Golden Bauhinia Square Hong Kong

MTR Wan Chai Station Exit A5, walk along the footbridge of O’Brien Road, pass through Immigration Tower and Central Plaza to Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

If you want to approach the Victoria Harbour, watch a Symphony of Lights or firework shows, or even go to the HKCEC by any chance, you may drop by the Golden Bauhinia Square.

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