Hong Kong

Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence

By Sarah Bonetti

04/07/26

Perched on a historic headland overlooking the Lei Yue Mun Pass in Shau Kei Wan on Hong Kong Island, the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence (MWRCD) is the city’s premier military museum.

Originally opened in 2000 as the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, the museum underwent major renovations and was officially renamed and relaunched on 3 September 2024, coinciding with the 79th anniversary of Victory Day in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence

A strategic location

The museum is situated at the site of the former Lei Yue Mun Fort, a strategic British stronghold built in 1887 to defend the eastern approaches to Victoria Harbour.

For centuries, the Lei Yue Mun Pass has served as a critical defensive chokepoint, guarding Hong Kong’s southern maritime gateway. The fort’s commanding position, rising from sea level at the Brennan Torpedo Station to 64 metres at the Lyemun Redoubt, made it an ideal military site. During the Battle of Hong Kong in December 1941, Japanese forces attacked the area after seizing the New Territories and Kowloon. Although defenders initially repelled the assaults, the position ultimately fell on 19 December.

After the war, the site continued as a British military training ground until 1987. Today, its historic fortifications remain well preserved, featuring batteries, caponiers, redoubts, and the distinctive Brennan Torpedo Station carved directly into the rock.

Lobby © Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence

Facilities

Occupying a total area of 34,200 square metres, the museum comprises three main areas: the 1/F Reception Lobby, the 8/F Redoubt, and the Historical Trail.

The permanent exhibition features 11 galleries that trace Hong Kong’s role in resisting the Japanese invasion of China, while exploring the broader evolution of national coastal defence and military developments — from the Tang dynasty through to Hong Kong’s return to the Motherland in 1997. Four of these galleries are dedicated as the “War of Resistance Galleries,” focusing on the Japanese invasion of China, the fall of Hong Kong, the underground resistance efforts of the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column and local guerrilla fighters, and Japan’s eventual surrender.

The Lyemun Fort Historical Trail features 24 checkpoints, including the cave-built Torpedo Station along the shore, the hilltop Lyemun Redoubt, as well as various batteries and caponiers.

Permanent Exhibition: “The Story of Hong Kong Coastal Defence”

The core of the museum lies in its permanent exhibition, housed within the historic converted casemates of the Lyemun Redoubt. It traces more than 600 years of coastal defence and military history — from the Tang Dynasty through the Ming and Qing eras, the Opium Wars, the British colonial period, the Japanese occupation, and on to the 1997 handover and beyond.

These galleries bring history to life through a rich collection of over 400 artifacts (including cannons, uniforms, medals, weapons, vehicles, and personal items) complemented by photographs, documents, multimedia presentations, and interactive displays.

Silver ring awarded to meritorious personnel of the Zhongshan People’s Anti-Japanese Volunteer Battalion, 1944 (Collection of Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History)

Current thematic exhibition
Standing Together for Peacebuilding: Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the War of Resistance in Guangdong and Hong Kong

Until 8 July 2026

Through three sections — The Fall of Guangdong and Hong Kong, The Fierce Resistance, and The Victory in the War of Resistance — it features around 40 wartime relics and 150 historical photographs, honouring the sacrifices made and promoting the theme of peacebuilding.
More information HERE.

The historical trail and outdoor experience

Beyond the indoor galleries, the Lyemun Fort Historical Trail features 24 checkpoints along a scenic walking path. It takes visitors through key military structures, combining education with breathtaking views of the harbour and Lei Yue Mun channel.

This outdoor element makes the museum particularly engaging for families, history enthusiasts, and those seeking a blend of heritage and nature.

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Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence
175 Tung Hei Road, Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (March–September) or 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (October–February).
Closed on Thursdays (except public holidays) and the first two days of the Lunar New Year.
Free admission.
Shau Kei Wan MTR Station (Exit B2).
Website: https://hk.waranddefence.museum

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