Royal Champagne Road: Chapter XI - End of Empire
July 1, 1997, 00:00:00. At the Hong Kong Convention Centre, 156 years of British rule ended. The Union Jack was lowered to "God Save the Queen" as 4,000 guests watched. A 12-second hiatus between anthems - longer than planned. On the morning after, "socialites were knocking back champagne to the keening sounds of a Chinese orchestra." Walk where empire ended: the handover site, the Mandarin Oriental where colonial society toasted, Victoria Peak where Chinese were banned until 1930, and the Star Ferry crossing the same waters as the Royal Yacht Britannia.
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Hong Kong Convention Centre: Midnight Handover
July 1, 1997, 00:00:00. At this exact spot, 156 years of British rule ended. The Union Jack was lowered to "God Save the Queen." A 12-second hiatus between anthems - longer than planned. Prince Charles watched the empire end.
cultural free - 2🍷
Mandarin Oriental: The Champagne Morning After
"On the morning after, socialites were knocking back champagne to the keening sounds of a Chinese orchestra." The Mandarin Oriental was the center of colonial society - and the first place to toast a new era.
tasting $$$$ - 3⛰️
Victoria Peak: Last Sunset of Empire
The Peak was the exclusive domain of British colonials - Chinese were banned from living here from 1904 to 1930 under the Peak District Reservation Ordinance. Only one Chinese was granted permission: Mme Chiang Kai-shek. On June 30, 1997, the sun set on the British Empire here. You can still watch it happen every evening.
adventure $ - 4🍷
Star Ferry: Where Empires Meet
The Star Ferry has crossed Victoria Harbour since 1888. It passes the Convention Centre where the handover happened. For HK$5, you can ride where colonials and Chinese met - and still meet - between two shores.
city $