Golden Bauhinia Square
Hongkong
This special flag raising that takes around 30 minutes consists of Hong Kong officers and a rifle unit fully clad in ceremonial outfits. More than the costume upgrade, the Police pipe band also delivers a short performance after they play the national anthem.
The Golden Bauhinia Square is symbolically important to Hong Kong since it is the physical manifestation of Britain giving back of Hong Kong to China after 150 years of British rule. The actual ceremony of Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule happened in July 1st, 1997 and this event was forever immortalized in the Golden Bauhinia statue. Every day since then, the flag raising ceremony performed by the Hong Kong Police can be witnessed in this tourist attraction.
As a background on the design of the statue, it is based on Hong Kong's very own Bauhinia flower, otherwise known as the Hong Kong orchid. This popular flower can be found all over Hong Kong as well as on the Hong Kong flag & the back of all Hong Kong coins. It is only fitting that this beautiful flower symbolize Hong Kong blooming from a country heavily influenced by western rule to a country that will embrace both western influence & Chinese heritage as it returns to China's side.
Although there is a 10-15 minute flag raising ceremony complete with national anthem everyday at 7:50am, the best time to visit the Golden Bauhinia Square would be on the 1st day of any given month at 7:45am as there is a special flag raising ceremony on these days. It is also advisable to go here at night since the Golden Bauhinia Square gives a great view of Victoria Harbour especially when you want to watch the Symphony of Lights .
Nearby attractions are the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre , Avenue of Stars , and Tsim Sha Tsui promenade restaurants.
