For travellers planning on exploring the region during theirstay at a Hong Kong hotel such as Cosmopolitan Hotel Hong Kong, Golden Bauhinia Square is a must visit.An open area located in Hong Kong, it is a tourist attraction which was named after the golden Bauhinia blakeana statue at its centre. Located outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, it is here that the ceremonies involving the handover of Hong Kong as well as the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region were held. Every morning at 8.00, a flag-raising ceremony take place here. The Hong Kong Police Force conducts this official daily flag raising ceremony.
A gilded flower bauhinia, the sculpture has a height of 6 metres. Deemed to be a significant symbol for the people of the Hong Kong, the square is beautifully set ablaze by a firework show on the National Day of the People’s Republic of China and the second day of Chinese New Year . Also referred to as the “Golden Pak Choi” by the local community, the site makes for an ideal backdrop for photographs.
Altogether there are three different types of ceremonies held here: the Special Flag Raising Ceremony held on the 1st of July and 1st of October, Enhanced Flag Raising Ceremony held on the first of every month except October and July and Daily Flag Raising Ceremony held daily except the first of every month. During the enhanced ceremony a flag-raising party takes place with a rifle unit of Hong Kong police force in ceremonial dress followed by a vibrant musical performance by the Police Pipe Band while the daily ceremony simply includes the playing of the national anthem. Different local youth uniformed groups conduct the flag raising ceremonyon the second Sunday of each month providing plenty for visitors to marvel at.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.