Let’s discover different elements of art in everyday life! 

This small painting is one of the earliest visual records of Hong Kong, believed to be the work of one of the envoys at the Embassy, completed on the ship to China in 1816. 

The ships of the Embassy docked in Hong Kong waters after a long voyage. The mission discovered that the small desolate island was not only a natural haven, but also a source of fresh water. 

The painting depicts the sailors towards the waterfall, which still stands today in Waterfall Bay Park beside the Wah Fu Estate in Aberdeen, with its water flow decreasing since the construction of Pok Fu Lam Reservoir.

Waterfall at Aberdeen is the earliest work in the Museum's collection depicting Hong Kong's landscape. Hong Kong was a small and desolate island in 1816 when Lord Amherst led a trade mission from Britain to China. The ships of the Amherst Mission anchored in Hong Kong waters on their journey to Beijing in order to stock up on supplies of fresh water. The painting, attributed to the mission's artist William Havell, depicts the ship's crew setting out towards the waterfall, which is today believed to be located at the Waterfall Park at Aberdeen.

Waterfall_A day at HKMoA.jpg

Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA)

Waterfall at Aberdeen, Hong Kong

If you live in Aberdeen, do you think that Waterfall Bay Park, beside the Wah Fu Estate, is the most special place in the area? 

What other places do you think are the most interesting in the neighbourhood? Let’s go take pictures or make drawings at these places, to record the details of their own neighbourhood!  

How much do you know about your own neighbourhood? Do you know where the supermarket closest to their home is? Where are the bus stops and metro stations?

1. Is the neighbourhood where you live busy or quiet? Is there a lot of trees and parks?

2. What are your favourite places in the neighbourhood?

4. Which market does mum like to go to the most? 

What you know about the neighbourhood you live in? Try searching for information together, through the internet or other channels such as books or visiting neighbours and share the results of the research with different people. 

1. How did the neighbourhood get its name?

2. What stories does the neighbourhood have in its history?

3. Have any important people lived in the neighbourhood? 

Standards for Waterfall at Aberdeen, Hong Kong