World War 2 Battlefields Guided Tour for Two

In December 1941, the Battle of Hong Kong between the British and their allies and the Japanese began. The British surrendered 18 days later on Christmas Day, and the Japanese occupation followed. Many of the relics and defense works from this wartime period still remain.

In this guided tour, your expert tour guide, a former British Army Officer, will lead you to the traces of the short, but very bloody World War 2 battle and describe in detail this fascinating period in the history of Hong Kong.

Choose from one of these two routes for a day of wartime heroes and memories:

1. Shing Mun Redoubt
   The Battle for Hong Kong was not confined to Hong Kong island. In fact, the first static line of defense constructed by the British military authorities was the Gin Drinkers Line, a 13 mile Maginot-type line of pillboxes, look-out positions and artillery observation posts which snaked through very difficult countryside north of Kowloon.
   
   The lynch-pin of this position was the Shing Mun Redoubt, which comprised a number of pillboxes linked by an intricate tunnel network, together with the Command Post and the principal artillery observation post for the whole position. Woefully undermanned, the Redoubt fell to the invading Japanese army on the night of 9 December 1941.
   
   Many of the military features of the Shing Mun Redoubt, can still be visited. Our expert guide will take you on a guided tour of the area and describe the events leading to the battle, as well as the actual fighting which occurred there.
2. Wong Nai Chung Gap Trail
   On 8 December 1941, the Imperial Japanese Army launched their long-anticipated invasion of Hong Kong. They quickly advanced through the New Territories and captured the main allied defensive position there, the Gin Drinker's Line.
   
   By the evening of 12 December 1941, the attackers were in possession of the whole of the mainland, including the Kowloon peninsula.
   
   The British defenders, together with their allies, then withdrew to Hong Kong island where they reorganized their defenses. On the night of 18 December 1941, after a sustained bombing and shelling campaign, the Japanese attacked the island. The battle for the strategically important Wong Nai Chung Gap then began, and it proved to be an integral part of the entire 18 day campaign.
   
   This guided tour will cover in detail the course of the fighting during this all-important phase of the battle, concluding with the British surrender on Christmas Day, 1941. During the walk, you will see World War 2 pillboxes; underground bunkers and an anti-aircraft position - all of which record key chapters of the battle and which figured prominently in the fighting.

Number of People
This Experience Voucher is valid for 2 people in a group session. The maximum group size is 8 people. Additional guests may participate at an additional cost of $500 per person.

Experience Location
Shing Mun Redoubt: Shing Mun Country Park
Wong Nai Chung Gap Trail: Wong Nai Chung Gap, Hong Kong

Meeting Point: General Post Office, 2 Connaught Place, Central.

Availability and Duration
Shing Mun Redoubt
This experience lasts for 4 hours, with approximately 2 hours of walking time.

Wong Nai Chung Gap Trail
This experience lasts for 4 hours, with approximately 3 hours of walking time.

Bookings can be made from Monday to Sunday, with a starting time of 9:00.

Bookings must be made at least 1 week in advance and are subject to availability.

Language
English (A Chinese interpreter is available at additional cost.)

Weather
This experience takes place outdoors and may have to be rescheduled in the event of adverse weather conditions, as assessed on a case by case basis. If the experience needs to be rescheduled, the instructor will inform all participants via phone call of the change.

As a reference, a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning or Typhoon signal no. 3 or above would be unsuitable for walking experiences.

Please note that the summer weather can also be very taxing.

What to Wear

1. Footwear: We recommend that you wear either robust walking shoes or trainers/sneakers. Casual sandals or open shoes are not suitable for trails, which can be rocky in places.
2. Clothing:Sun and rainfall can be intense and a hat is recommended. During the winter season (November – March) temperatures can drop with a chilling wind, so a sweater/fleece is advisable. During the wet season (April – September) a waterproof jacket is recommended. In warmer months (May – October) it is advisable to carry a spare T–shirt or other garment to change into at the end of the hike.
3. Skin Protection: Suntan lotion should be used throughout the year and applied frequently during the hike. Insect repellant is not obligatory but advisable if you tend to attract insects.
4. Water: Please carry sufficient water for your own needs. In the warmer months, this may equate to one liter for every two hours of walking. Dehydration is a real risk on hot days. Choose mineralized rather than distilled water. Consider an electrolyte replacement drink as well.

Suitability
Participants should be at least 8 years old.

Please notify us of any medical conditions that we should be aware of. We will assume clients have their own medications for asthma or known illnesses.

Extra Information
This experience includes a walking tour with a knowledgeable guide and all transportation to and from the meeting point. There are toilets en route.