Then and Now in Hong Kong - King George VI Statue in HK
The largely forgotten statue that is still standing in Hong Kong
Me Jamie, your host, I am English and I have lived in Hong Kong for 53 years - I know the place.
I have personally completed 2,340+ Private Tours and Experiences (over 6,500+ guests) since April 2011 and I am considered one of the finest Private Tour Guides in Asia.
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Then and Now in Hong Kong - King George VI Statue in HK
The largely forgotten statue that is still standing in Hong Kong
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The rather iconic King George VI statue - this image was taken probably in early 1958 or thereabouts when it was put in place in the Zoological + Botanical Gardens in Hong Kong
As you may know I have very recently started to use AI as a research tool, I am a typical writer and I get writers block when confronted with a blank screen, AI is proving very helpful in getting me the information I need and it saves me an awful lot of time which means I can pump out more blog posts!
I have a thing about statues in Hong Kong, we do not have many left and I have always been fascinated with the history of them.
Pretty much everyone loves to hear about the 9 statues that used to be in Statue Square Hong Kong but I was taken with the story behind the King George VI statue and the Sir Arthur Kennedy statue it replaced in 1958,
In essence you cannot talk about the King George VI statue without noting the history of The Sir Arthur Kennedy statue and I will get into that first. (see below)
To be honest I had largely forgotten about this statue as it has been a few years since I last saw it and took some images but it is a part of colonial Hong Kong history, it is a shame that it is in such an inconvenient location, the Zoological and Botanical Gardens does not get too many visitors because it is poorly served by public transport and it is quite the walk from the Peak Tram Station on Garden Road and all uphill (and very steep as well) and I should point out that if you do make the effort to go, you will also be able to see the official residence of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong which used to be the residence of the British Colonial Governors and is a rather remarkable old house
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The rather iconic Sir Arthur Kennedy statue - this image was taken probably in the early 1900’s or thereabouts whem it was put in place in the Botanical Gardens in Hong Kong in 1887, the statue met a rather grisly fate and was melted down in WW2
The Sir Arthur Kennedy Statue was erected in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens in November 1887. Below is a detailed history of its installation and fate, based on available information:
Creation and Installation
Installation of the Statue
unveiling: The statue was unveiled in November 1887 by Governor Sir William Desborough Voeux, shortly after Kennedy's death at sea in 1883. It was funded through public subscription, indicating Kennedy's popularity and recognition for his contributions during his governorship.
Location: The statue was placed in a prominent spot in the Botanical Gardens, described as "above the second terrace looking down on the fountain."
Purpose: The statue was built to honor Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy (1809–1883), the seventh Governor of Hong Kong (1872–1877), who was celebrated for his contributions, including the development of Kennedy Town, the introduction of the Hong Kong dollar as a unitary currency, and a governance style that promoted stability and prosperity. His approach of minimal intervention ("don't rock the boat") resonated with the local community.
History and Significance
Design and Construction: The statue was likely made of bronze, a common material for colonial-era statues in Hong Kong, though specific details about the sculptor or design are not provided in the sources. It stood as a tribute to Kennedy’s legacy, reflecting the colonial administration’s practice of commemorating key figures through public monuments.
Cultural Context: The statue was part of a broader tradition of erecting statues of British royalty and colonial administrators in Hong Kong, as seen in Statue Square and other public spaces. These monuments symbolized British colonial authority and were often funded by public or private subscriptions.
Fate of the Statue
Removal During Japanese Occupation: The statue was removed during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong (1941–1945) and is believed to have been melted down for metal resources, a common fate for bronze statues during wartime.
Non-Recovered: Unlike some other colonial statues, such as that of Queen Victoria, which were recovered and reinstalled after the war, the Sir Arthur Kennedy statue was never recovered or replaced.
Replacement: In 1958, a bronze statue of King George VI, created by British sculptor Gilbert Ledward, was erected on the same spot to commemorate Hong Kong’s centennial (1841–1941). This marked the definitive end of the Kennedy statue’s presence in the gardens.
Current Status
No trace of the Sir Arthur Kennedy statue remains in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens. The site is now occupied by the King George VI statue, which is part of the gardens’ heritage trail, alongside other historical features like the Chinese War Memorial and the fountain terrace.
The statue’s removal reflects the broader historical shifts in Hong Kong, including the impact of World War II and the transition of colonial symbols over time. Some sources note a lack of public interest in exploring the history behind such monuments today, as observed by artist Morgan Wong
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The some what iconic King George VI statue - circa 2025 and still located in the Botanical Gardens in Hong Kong but it requires a bit of effort to actually locate it! it is worth the effort.
he statue of King George VI in Hong Kong is a significant historical artifact, reflecting the city’s colonial past and its resilience through turbulent times. Below is a detailed history of the statue, its creation, its fate during World War II, its return, relocation, and its locations, based on available information up to 2025.
Creation and Installation
Creation:
The statue of King George VI, a bronze sculpture, was crafted by British sculptor Gilbert Ledward. It was commissioned to commemorate the centennial of Hong Kong’s establishment as a British colony (1841–1941). The statue depicts King George VI in regal attire, standing approximately two meters tall, crowned, with his left hand gripping a sword in its scabbard, mounted on a simple pedestal.
Installation and Original Location:
The statue was erected in 1958 at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, located in Central, Hong Kong. It was placed just southwest of the Fountain Terrace Garden, at the top of a flight of stairs leading to the main fountain. This location was chosen to replace an earlier statue of Sir Arthur Kennedy, Hong Kong’s seventh governor (1872–1877), which had stood on the same spot.Purpose: The statue’s erection in 1958 was a belated commemoration of Hong Kong’s 100th anniversary, which had been disrupted by the Japanese occupation during World War II. It symbolized the restoration of British colonial authority post-war and honored King George VI, who reigned from 1936 to 1952 and was a symbol of resilience during the war.
During World War II (1941–1945)
Japanese Occupation:
During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong (December 1941–August 1945), many colonial statues were removed by the Japanese authorities for their metal content to support the war effort. The statue of Sir Arthur Kennedy, which previously occupied the site where the King George VI statue would later be placed, was shipped to Japan and melted down.
King George VI Statue:
Since the statue of King George VI was not erected until 1958, it was not present in Hong Kong during the war years (1941–1945). Thus, it was not affected by the Japanese occupation. However, the site it would later occupy was impacted, as the Kennedy statue was destroyed, clearing the space for its future installation
.Context of Other Statues:
For context, other statues in Hong Kong, such as those in Statue Square (e.g., Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and others), were also taken to Japan during the occupation to be melted down. Some, like Queen Victoria’s statue, were recovered and returned, but many were lost. This historical precedent of statue removal during the war highlights the vulnerability of colonial symbols during this period.
Return and Relocation (not applicable to this statue, the information is for context)
Return:
As the King George VI statue was created and installed in 1958, there was no “return” involved, unlike other statues (e.g., Queen Victoria’s) that were taken during the war and later recovered. The statue was a new creation post-war, specifically designed to mark the delayed centennial celebration and to reassert British colonial presence after the occupation.
Relocation:
There is no record of the King George VI statue being relocated since its installation in 1958. It has remained in its original location at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens. The statue’s fixed position contrasts with other colonial statues, such as Queen Victoria’s, which was moved from Statue Square to Victoria Park in 1952 after its return.
Condition and Maintenance:
The statue has been maintained as part of the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, a free public space often described as an oasis in Central. There are no reports of significant damage or defacement, unlike the Queen Victoria statue, which was vandalized in 1996. The King George VI statue continues to be a point of interest for visitors, with a small information panel nearby providing historical context.
Original and Current Location
Original Location:
The statue was originally installed in 1958 at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, specifically just southwest of the Fountain Terrace Garden, near the main fountain. This was its first and only installation site.
Current Location (as of 2025):
The statue remains in its original location at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, Central, Hong Kong. It is still positioned near the Fountain Terrace Garden, accessible to visitors and maintained as part of the gardens’ historical features.
Additional Context
Cultural Significance:
The statue reflects King George VI’s legacy as a monarch who unexpectedly ascended the throne after his brother Edward VIII’s abdication in 1936. His reign, particularly during World War II, was marked by his symbolic leadership, including staying at Buckingham Palace during the Blitz and visiting troops, which resonated with Hong Kong’s post-war colonial government aiming to restore British prestige.
Comparison with Other Statues:
Unlike the statues in Statue Square, which were central to Hong Kong’s colonial identity and heavily impacted during the Japanese occupation, the King George VI statue was a post-war addition and thus avoided wartime destruction.
Its placement in the Zoological and Botanical Gardens, rather than the more prominent Statue Square, may reflect a shift in colonial priorities after the war, focusing on less contested public spaces.Public Perception: The statue has been noted for its detailed craftsmanship, with some admirers highlighting the intricate depiction of King George VI’s robes, insignia, and crown. It has been praised on platforms like Reddit for its historical and aesthetic value, though it is not a primary tourist attraction on its own.
Critical Notes
The claim in some sources (e.g.,) that the statue was “erected in 1941 and still standing” appears to be incorrect. Multiple reliable sources, including Wikipedia and the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens’ official site, confirm the erection date as 1958, tied to the delayed centennial commemoration. The 1941 date may stem from confusion with the planned centennial or other statues.
The statue’s history is less tumultuous than that of other colonial monuments in Hong Kong, likely due to its post-war creation and placement in a relatively protected public garden rather than a politically charged location like Statue Square.
Summary
Creation: Sculpted by Gilbert Ledward and erected in 1958 to commemorate Hong Kong’s centennial.
World War II (1941–1945): The statue did not exist during the war; the site it now occupies previously held a statue of Sir Arthur Kennedy, which was melted down by the Japanese.
Return and Relocation: No return or relocation occurred, as the statue was created post-war and has remained in its original location.
Original and Current Location: Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, near the Fountain Terrace Garden, Central, Hong Kong.
Status as of 2025: The statue remains in place, well-maintained, and serves as a historical landmark within the gardens.
For further details, you can visit the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens’ official website (www.hkzbg.gov.hk) or explore the site in person to view the statue and its information panel
My insider tip
Please note that in general if you book a tour on Viator or Tripadvisor you generally have NO control over what guide will lead your Private Tour of Hong Kong and this is the most important component of the tour. I urge you to check the actual company website and book via their website and do not forget to read Tripadvisor reviews as well.
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