As far as you might be in awe of the skyscrapers along the shores of Victoria Harbour, there is a little piece of land that would surprise you - The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Park, an urban park in Sai Ying Pun with the nicest lawn by the seafront, built as the first park in Hong Kong to commemorate the father of modern China - Dr. Sun Yat-Sen (孫中山).

The father of Modern China

Having spent his childhood in China and teenage years in Hawaii, Dr. Sun received both eastern and western education which shaped him into a man of broad vision. He came to Hong Kong in 1883 for college, then became a Medicine student studying in the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese, which is now The University of Hong Kong.

He embarked on his political career as he witnessed the crisis brought by the corrupted and impotent Qing government. He launched a series of uprisings to order to overthrow the Qing dynasty. With his eclectic approach, he succeeded the 11th time and founded the Republic of China. This is the most crucial moment that brought democracy and liberty to China. Despite his success, historical traumas occurred and led China to become a communist country, followed by a string of contemporary historical events that shaped the world we live in today.

Origin of the Park

While he was in Hong Kong, Dr. Sun was forced out of Hong Kong by the British colonial government under the pressure of the Qing Dynasty. He was not allowed to be on the land hence he met his friends and supporters on a boat at the current location of the memorial park before the reclamation of the land. The park is built upon its location, obviously, to pay tributes to Dr. Sun and his historical impact.

Apart from the prominent statue of Dr. Sun in the centre of the lawn, footprints of Dr. Sun are left at every corner of the park. Upon entry, there is a plaque above the main entrance engraved with Sun’s famous inscription - 天下為公 (in Mandarin: Tian Xia Wei Gong), meaning “What is under Heaven is for all”. The architectural design of corridors and the railway theme of the children's playground also give a hint of Dr. Sun’s past. The former symbolises Dr. Sun’s alma mater and the latter symbolises his vision of China’s economic development back in the times. The Chime Tower represents Dr. Sun’s education in Hong Kong and its profound influence on his revolutionary ideals. The tower roof is modeled on the design of the Main Building of The University of Hong Kong, in which the five bronze bells symbolize the five powers enshrined in the Five-Power Constitution Dr. Sun proclaimed, namely the power of the executive, legislative, judicial, examination and control. These visions of Dr. Sun are the cornerstones of an institution and his legacy shall not be forgotten. 

It is nevertheless a community park, where locals have fun with their family and friends or work out in the sports centre nearby. Along the promenade, you could see Victoria Harbour from its West. With the melody played by the waves and the birds chirping, it is the best place to escape the hustle and bustle within the city, where you could relish the beauty of it with minimal disturbance. While we have no doubt the that nation's father would always remember Hong Kong, he would always have a place in the heart of Hong Kongers.