Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, Hong Kong

Once serving as the home of the Commander of the British forces during the colonial era, Flagstaff House has since been repurposed and transformed into today’s Museum of Tea Ware. Constructed in 1846 and situated on Cotton Tree Drive within the grounds of Hong Kong Park, it stands as Hong Kong’s oldest surviving example of Western-style architecture.

Originally known as Headquarters House until 1932, its location was deliberately chosen: a small bluff overlooking the barracks, Queen’s Road, and the waterfront. The design reflects the elegance of the Greek Revival style and is attributed either to Murdoch Bruce or Lieutenant Bernard Collinson. Major-General George Charles D’Aguilar was its first occupant.

During World War II, Flagstaff House sustained damage during Japanese bombings but was later repaired and used as the Commandant’s residence. After the war, it once again housed the Commander until 1978, when a new residence on Barker Road took over this role. The building was subsequently handed to the Hong Kong Government and, in 1981, came under the administration of the Urban Council.

Recognized as a declared monument in 1989, Flagstaff House underwent significant restoration to return it to its mid-19th-century appearance. In 1984, the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware was established as a branch of the Hong Kong Museum of Art. The museum highlights the history, culture, and craftsmanship of Chinese tea preparation, presenting an exceptional collection that includes Yixing teapots from Jiangsu province—among them the world’s oldest surviving teapot. Visitors will also find fine porcelain tea sets, Qing dynasty brewing vessels, lacquerware trays, calligraphy related to tea culture, and rotating thematic exhibitions that explore everything from regional tea traditions to contemporary interpretations of teaware design.