Situated in the heart of Central where all the important institutions come together, Statue Square is not just an urban sanctuary for office workers seeking refuge from city life, but also a monument to the British Empire's former glory in its far-east colony.

The site was one ambitious land reclamation plan hatched by a prominent businessman, Sir Catchick Paul Charter, given there was no civic space to honor the greatness of the Imperial monarchs dating back to the late 18th century. Royal Square – its initial name, would not be complete without the presence of the Crown, so a statue of Queen Victoria erected in 1896 to commemorate her Golden Jubilee was sitting at its prime center facing the waterfront. It later also housed a number of royal statues, including Prince Albert, Edward VII, King George VI and Sir Thomson Jackson – the most influential and longest serving Manager of HSBC, who still stands proudly in front of HSBC headquarters. The rest of them have been relocated to other prominent spots across the city, so maybe a statue hunt might help you catch glimpses into the past majesty.

Its ceremonial purposes started to fade away ever since the redesign of the square in 1956, as a new civic space with sheltered seats and fountains built in modern styles. Now it becomes a popular social gathering haven for the domestic helpers to escape from household chores on Sundays. Unless you want to check out their territory, you might find it a lot easier to pay a visit there on weekdays.