Chater Garden, Hong Kong

Chater Garden offers an inviting open space in the middle of the busy financial area of the city, making it an ideal place to pause and enjoy its pools, small waterfalls and fountains. It was named after Sir Paul Chater, a prominent British-Indian businessman of Armenian descent whose influence on early 20th-century Hong Kong development was immense. Chater Road, which borders one side of the garden, also commemorates him.

Because of its central location near government buildings, the garden has become a common site for political rallies, peaceful demonstrations and public gatherings. Historically, this area was once occupied by the Hong Kong Cricket Club, which played here from 1851 until 1975. After the club relocated to Wong Nai Chung Gap, the site was redeveloped and officially opened to the public in 1978.

Part of the garden sits on land that was once reclaimed from Victoria Harbour during one of Central’s major land reclamation phases. This means that where visitors stand today—surrounded by pools, fountains and greenery—was once open water.