The original boulder was much larger, but the majority of the rock was blasted and removed by Japanese forces to clear land for runway extensions at Kai Tak Airport during World War II.
Inscriptions on the rock date back to the late 13th century, created by local residents to commemorate the young emperors' presence.
Following the war, the British colonial government declared the remaining fragment a monument and re-erected it in the dedicated garden in 1945.
The garden acts as a quiet enclave surrounded by dense urban development, contrasting heavily with the former Kai Tak airport site nearby.
The name translates from Cantonese as 'Terrace of the Song Emperors'.
Sung Wong Toi Garden preserves a granite boulder fragment inscribed with the characters 'Sung Wong Toi', marking the historical refuge of the last two Song Dynasty emperors in the 13th century. The garden is situated on what was once Sacred Hill, which was largely excavated during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong to expand the nearby airport. The massive stone slab weighing several tons was relocated to its current site following the end of World War II. The site is a recognized monument under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance, serving as a reminder of the Southern Song court's flight from Mongol forces. It features traditional Chinese garden elements, including stone paths, benches, and landscaped greenery in the heart of the Ma Tau Chung district.
Directly in front of the main granite memorial stone, framed by the traditional garden architecture.
Visit during the weekday to experience the park in its most quiet state, as it is a small space that can feel crowded by local residents on weekends.
Combine this visit with a walk through the surrounding Ma Tau Wai area to see the transition between older, lower-rise residential blocks and newer developments.
The park is compact; use it as a short stop between other historical sites in the Kowloon City district rather than a primary destination.
Do not expect a large forest or expansive park; it is a very small, urban memorial garden.
Maintain a quiet tone as the park is situated within a residential neighborhood; respect the memorial stone as a historical monument.
