Magazine Gap

🐴 【Magazine Gap】 is a crucial pass nestled between the and The Peak on Hong Kong Island. Functioning as both a key geographical corridor and a prestigious, historic luxury residential enclave, it sits on the hillsides between Central and . Sitting at around 200 to 300 meters above sea level, it was named after the 19th-century Indian businessman, Sir Hormusjee Naorojee Mody (locally transliterated as ‘Ma Gei Sin’). The area is famous for its tranquil vibe and colonial-era architecture, with pre-war bungalows and modern luxury low-rises dotted along Magazine Gap Road—including the iconic ‘King Yin Lei’, a 1930s Chinese-renaissance mansion that is now a declared monument. More than just a traditional playground for the ultra-wealthy, Magazine Gap stands as a unique landmark blending East and West, witnessing HK’s urban evolution from the early colonial days to the modern era. —

📌 Geography & Origins

Item Details
Chinese Name 馬己仙峽 (Ma Gei Sin Hap)
English Name Magazine Gap
District Border of and
Elevation Approx. 300 meters
Name Origin “Magazine” refers to an ammunition depot, nothing to do with reading material!

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🏗️ Historical Background & Etymology

  • The English name “Magazine” actually refers to an ammunition depot (military powder magazine), rather than a periodical publication.
  • The British military built their first gunpowder magazine here between 1863 and 1868, adding a second one in 1905.
  • Munitions were once transported via an aerial ropeway down to the military stores on Arsenal Street in .

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🚗 Magazine Gap Road

Magazine Gap Road is one of the main arteries connecting Central to The Peak. Winding up the lush, tree-lined hillsides for about 2.4 kilometers, it links Garden Road with Stubbs Road. While it serves as a vital transport link for the boasting scenic views, it comes with strict traffic regulations. The area retains a heavy historic charm, featuring Grade 2 historic buildings like the 1923-built Magazine Gap Road Fresh Water Service Reservoir and No. 30 Magazine Gap Road. In recent years, urban development has given Magazine Gap a unique architectural contrast, where century-old heritage sits right next to ultra-modern high-rises, making it a rare residential hotspot that perfectly balances history with luxury living.

Item Details
Starting Point Garden Road / Robinson Road
Ending Point , near
Length Approx. 2.4 km
Lane Layout Two-way, single lane each way
Speed Limit 50 km/h
Vehicle Restrictions Vehicles over 3 tonnes are strictly prohibited

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🚍 Public Transport

  • Hong Kong Island Green Minibuses:
    • Routes 1 and 2: Cover parts of Magazine Gap Road.
    • Route 9: Only passes through the section west of Bowen Road.
  • Residents’ Shuttle Buses:
    • HR69: Serves residents of Grenville House.
    • HR84: Runs between Cloudlands and .

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🏛️ Historic Landmarks & Cultural Heritage

🔥 British Ammunition Depot

  • Built in the mid-19th century, it was once a critical military facility for Hong Kong.
  • Munitions were moved down to Arsenal Street in Wan Chai via an aerial ropeway system.
  • Now demolished, parts of the site have been redeveloped into residential blocks and service reservoirs.

🚰 Magazine Gap Road Fresh Water Service Reservoir

  • Originally built in 1901, it was converted into a salt-water flushing reservoir in 2010.

🗿 City of Victoria Boundary Stone

  • Erected in 1903 to mark the old limits of Victoria City.
  • The boundary stone originally outside No. 15 Magazine Gap Road went missing in 2007, and its whereabouts remain a mystery.

🏯 Hong Kong Chureito (Japanese Memorial Tower)

  • A memorial tower built by the occupying Japanese forces during WWII, which was blown up after the war.
  • The massive concrete base is where Cameron House stands today.

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🏡 Prestigious Addresses & Famous Owners

Address Building Name Owner / Background
No. 1 Grenville House Home to HK’s first Chief Executive, Tung Chee-hwa
No. 11 Scenic Villas Held by Sun Hung Kai Properties and Li & Fung
No. 34 Cameron House Owned by the prominent Loke Yew family
No. 33 HSBC Residence Acquired by the bank back in 1949

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🏗️ Timeline & Historical Evolution

Decade / Year Event
1863–1868 The British military builds the first gunpowder magazine on-site.
1905 The second gunpowder magazine is added.
1882 The old Army Sanatorium at Magazine Gap opens its doors.
1923 The sanatorium site is handed back to the Colonial Government.
Post-War Redeveloped into quarters for senior government officials.
2021 The prime site is sold for a staggering HK$7.2 billion for luxury redevelopment.

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📷 Views & Tourism Value

  • The mid-section features a lookout point offering stunning panoramic views of the Central skyline and Victoria Harbour.
  • Nearby attractions include Hong Kong Park and .

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⚠️ Traffic Accidents & Safety Warnings

  • 2008 Tour Bus Crash: A tour bus illegally entered the restricted road and suffered brake failure, resulting in 1 fatality and 50 injuries.
  • 2017 Double-Decker Blunder: A double-decker bus took a wrong turn into the Garden Road section and got completely wedged, causing massive traffic gridlock.

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  • 21 Coombe Road