Nestled right in the heart of the busy Tsim Sha Tsui district. Signal Hill tower was built in a classical Baroque style by the Hong Kong Observatory in 1907 atop a 40-meter hill, then known as Blackhead Point.
The tower’s principal purpose was to act as a time-signalling indicator for mariners, as accurate timekeeping was essential to determining longitude at sea. Atop the tower was an 18-foot mast, to which a time ball, 6 feet in diameter, was attached. The ball would be raised to the top of the mast at 12:50 p.m. every day and dropped at exactly 1:00 PM, enabling ship navigators to verify the settings of their marine chronometers.Â
The time ball had originally been located at the Marine Police Headquarters from 1885 till 1907. After the tower’s completion in 1908, the time ball was moved to Signal Hill due to its more elevated and visible position overlooking the harbor. Originally built 42 feet high, the tower was extended by an additional story, about 20 feet, in 1927 to further enhance the tower’s visibility. The time telling service continued until the time ball ceased service in 1933.
First opened to the public in 1981, Signal Hill Garden is now well concealed. Land reclamation of Tsim Sha Tsui has pushed Blackhead Point away from the coastline, while the construction of multiple surrounding skyscrapers has helped to obscure the park. Despite this, the garden and tower still provide fantastic views across the harbor. With lush greenery, a pagoda and numerous benches to provide shelter and comfort, this unassuming little park provides peace and serenity amid the chaos of the surrounding streets.
