WWII history & memorials in Hong Kong

Hong Kong was occupied by Japanese forces for nearly four years during the Second World War, following the Battle of Hong Kong in December 1941 — a period that left a lasting, if often quietly marked, imprint on the city.

The Battle of Hong Kong

Fought over 18 days in December 1941, the battle pitted British, Canadian, Indian and local Hong Kong volunteer defenders against invading Japanese forces — ending in surrender on Christmas Day, the start of an occupation that lasted until Japan's surrender in 1945.

Sai Wan War Cemetery

A Commonwealth War Graves cemetery in Chai Wan (see our Chai Wan guide) holds the graves of Commonwealth service members who died defending Hong Kong, alongside a memorial to those with no known grave — a quiet, carefully maintained site open to visitors.

Wartime sites around the city

Remnants of wartime fortifications, pillboxes and tunnels survive in various country parks and hillsides, some accessible along hiking routes already covered in our hiking guide, though many require specific local knowledge to locate.

The Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence

Housed in a former British fort, this museum covers Hong Kong's defence history more broadly, including the WWII period, with original fortifications and artillery on display alongside the exhibits.