Tai Po Lookout Tower, Observation tower in Tai Po, Hong Kong.

Tai Po Lookout Tower is a 32.4-metre observation tower in Tai Po Waterfront Park, near the mouth of the Lam Tsuen River on Tolo Harbour. A central white mast rises through stacked circular decks; an upper platform with grey metal railings is supported by angled braces, and a spiralling ramp clad in brown wood-like panels winds around the core. An inscription on the lower part records the tower's purpose.

This is the spot where British troops first came ashore in 1898 to take control of the New Territories. After Hong Kong was handed back to China, the area was turned into a memorial to mark that turning point in the region's history.

Inscriptions at the base of the tower honor residents of the New Territories who protected their land and rebuilt their lives after World War II. These dedications give the site a personal meaning that goes beyond the view from the top.

The climb to the top is done via a spiral staircase, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. Clear days offer the best views from the platform, especially in the morning before haze settles over the harbor.

The tower stands on the exact spot where British colonial rule over the New Territories started in 1898, and after 1997 the same ground became a symbol of the handover. One small patch of land carries two opposite historical meanings at once.