Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum, Hong Kong

Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum , Hong Kong Overview

The Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum is located on Tonkin Street in Hong Kong. The tomb museum was accidentally found in 1995 when the Honk Kong government was levelling a hill slope for the construction of resettlement buildings which presently is known as Lei Cheng Uk Estate.

It is the only Eastern Han brick tomb ever found in the metropolitan and thus is of cultural importance. The museum constitutes a brick tomb and an exhibition hall alongside. The exhibitions present give detailed information about the tomb and the Chinese famous Silk Road. Though Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum was protected by concrete and waterproofing layers, it still suffered from leakage problems and had to be renovated in 2005. Due to conservation reasons, visitors have not been allowed to enter since the 1980s and can see through a glass panel.

Museum Layout

Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum is constructed of bricks consisting of four chambers put together in the form of a cross. Some of the bricks are stamped or carved with hints of the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is believed that the rear chamber was the coffin chamber, the side chambers were used for storage purposes and any ritual ceremonies were performed in the front chamber.

Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum Exhibitions

Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb: This is a permanent exhibition showing different aspects of the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb which includes its structure, history, and burial objects. It mentions all the pieces of evidence that hint that the tomb belonged to the Han dynasty.

Trade Passages: It is a pictorial exhibition of the silk road in the Han Dynasty which was one of its major economic achievements. Due to the Silk Road, the trade was no longer confined to the borders of China. With the use of textual illustrations and pictorial depictions, the whole silk route is explained for the visitors.

History

Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum was accidentally found in 1995. A total of 58 pottery and bronze objects were found. According to the structure, calligraphy, and inscriptions on the tomb, it is commonly believed to have been built during the Eastern Han Dynasty. The inscription Panyu, which was the name of the county to which the present city of Hong Kong belonged during the Han Dynasty, further makes it a great possibility.

Facilities

Barrier-free facilities like barrier-free ramp and automatic doors on main entrance
Assistive listening systems
Audio and visual signals for emergency alarms

How To Reach Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum

If going by MTR, get off at MTR Cheung Shan Wan Station and exit A3. Walk for 10 minutes along the Tonkin Street to reach the venue.

One can also take Kowloon Motor Bus no. 2A which drops the visitors at the museum entrance. Another way to reach the venue is by taking Kowloon Motor Bus no. 2 and get off at Po On Road. Walk for 2 minutes on Tonkin Street to reach the venue.