Old District Office North

Old District Office North

The Old District Office North is located on Wan Tau Kok Lane in Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. It was the first civil affairs building constructed after the British leased the New Territories. On November 13, 1981, it was listed as a declared monument of Hong Kong. From 1988 to 2000, it was used as the Tai Po regional office of the Environmental Protection Department, and in 2002, it became the New Territories East Headquarters of The Scout Association of Hong Kong and was named the Law Ting Pong Scout Centre.

The Old District Office North stands atop a hill and originally consisted of two single-storey buildings, one in the north and one in the south. To adapt to the hot and humid climate, both the east and west facades feature spacious brick-pillared verandas and arched doors and windows. The entire structure is built with red bricks, exemplifying typical colonial architecture from the early 20th century. After World War II, a connecting section was added in the middle, and an additional floor was built on the north block, while maintaining its overall simple and classic appearance. A small cannon had been placed inside but was later removed, leaving only its empty mount.

One of the distinctive features of the Old District Office North is that this declared monument is currently in use by the New Territories East Headquarters of The Scout Association of Hong Kong. It opens to the public for visits on a few days each year, but in the mornings on regular weekdays, local residents use the space for morning exercises, with both groups coexisting without interference. The Scout Association has stated that, in order to avoid disrupting its operations, security measures restrict public access to taking photos and viewing the building from outside the fence. However, schools and non-profit organizations interested in visiting the Old District Office North may write to the Scout Association to apply for a visit.

Old District Office North

Must-visit reason: One of the most beautiful historic buildings in Tai Po, Hong Kong