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Visitors to the newly-opened Sheung Wan Route of the Central and Western Heritage Trail will gain a better understanding of the history of Hong Kong as they walk along the Route dotted with 35 historic buildings and sites dating back to the 1840s.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Route today (Saturday), the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr David Lan said: " The Sheung Wan Route is the second phase of the Central and Western Heritage Trail set up by the Antiquities and Monuments Office under the Home Affairs Bureau. Central district has long been our political, military and economic centre and represents the different stages of development of Hong Kong. Western district, on the other hand, is a traditional residential area and the buildings there reflect the lives of the people at the time they were constructed.

"As quite a large number of historical buildings with both oriental and western architectural features are preserved in the two districts, it is very appropriate to set up a heritage trail in the area.

"The Sheung Wan Route includes the historical sites of the Sun Yat-Sen Historical Trail set up by the Central and Western Provisional District Board as well as edifices representing different religions, traditional Chinese architecture and historic sites. The Antiquities and Monuments Office has published a guide map for vistors that contains a brief introduction on each of the historical sites and buildings along the Route."

Mr Lan thanked The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for their donation of $2 million to fund the project.

"The Jockey Club has been very supportive to us by providing financial assistance in heritage preservation and educational activities to promote public awareness in this field. Heritage preservation is a long-term task of the Government that requires the full support and participation of community organisations and the general public, " Mr Lan said.

"I would also like to express my gratitude to the Antiquites Advisory Board, the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust and the Cenrtral and Western Provisional District Board for their invaluable asssitance in launching this Route."

The Heritage Trail comprises three routes, namely, the Central Route, the Shueng Wan Route, as well as the Western and the Peak Route. The Central Route was opened in October 1997 and had been well received by the public.

Other officiaiting guests at the opening ceremony include the Chairman of the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust, Mr Edward Ho Sing-tin; Chairman of the Antiquities Advisory Board, Professor David Lung; Chairman of the Central and Western Provisional District Board, Mr Chan Chit-kwai and Charities Manager, Planning and Development of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mrs Doris Ho.

End/Saturday, July 31, 1999

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