Unique heritage venues in Asia

There are some venues that can’t be replicated. Heritage sites are prime examples, with their unique history and timeless charm

Hullett House, Hong Kong

HONG KONG

by Prudence Lui

Hullett House
What makes it special The property is housed within a building dating back to 1881, which at one point served as the Marine Police Headquarters. Today, the hotel in the heart of Hong Kong stands as an example of magnificent colonial architecture, celebrating East-meets-West heritage in its revitalised spaces including a hotel, seven restaurants and bars, and a souvenir store.

Hullett House, Hong Kong

How to use it for association events All seven F&B outlets could be used for a range of events. Culinary choices including all-day dining, Chinese cuisine and western fine dining. Each has a different size to suit versatile needs. For instance, The Parlour offers 283m2 of space for up to 20 people (cocktail style) while the 35m2 Stables Grill offers 24 seats (banquet style). Event planners may also opt for the 200m2 The Garden and the 315m2 50 Pigeons Courtyard for larger events with over 200 people.
Website: www.hulletthouse.com
Email: info@hulletthouse.com

YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel, Kowloon
What makes it special Revitalised from Mei Ho House, the only surviving Mark I H-shaped resettlement block built in 1954, the hostel provides 129 rooms renovated from the original units, a retro-styled café and heritage museum to introduce the district’s unique culture.

How to use it for association events The hostel features various facilities
for public rental as well as a function room suitable for conferences, meetings or events for 60 people. All prices include air conditioning, projector and screen and basic audio equipment.

The Back Courtyard and the Hideaway seating area could also be booked for outdoor events, with capacity for 40 to 80 people and 20 people respectively.

Food catering from the retro-styled café House 41 can be arranged upon additional charge.
The Heritage of Mei Ho House museum showcases housing development in the 1950s and 1970s. Local groups may apply for private tours.
Website: www.yha.orh.hk/mhh
Email: mhh.res@yha.org.hk


INDONESIA

by Mimi Hudoyo

Candi Prambanan Temple, Central Java
What makes it special A ninth-century Hindu temple compound, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest in Indonesia and one of the biggest in South-east Asia. The temple has been a major tourist attraction since the 1960s, not only for its majestic architecture but also the Ramayana Epic dance drama, performed during full moons at the open-air stage with the temple as its backdrop. The performance now takes place three times a week.

Candi Prambanan Temple, Central Java, Indonesia

How to use it for association events The are three open-air spaces on the temple grounds available for events like dinner parties for 300 to 1,000 people. On performance days, groups can start with cocktail or early dinner before moving to the amphitheatre for the dance drama, which runs from 19.30 till 21.30.
Website: www.borobudurpark.com
Email: Emilia@borobudurpark.co.id


MALAYSIA

by S Puvaneswary and Karen Yue

Fort Cornwallis, Penang
What makes it special With a rich history spanning more than two centuries, the building was in the 18th century commissioned by Sir Captain Francis Light from the British East India Company to defend Penang from Kedah pirates and military forces. Today, Fort Cornwallis is the largest standing fort in Malaysia.

How to use it for association events The site is great for heritage/colonial themed dinners and cocktail events. Located near the sea, Fort Cornwallis offers a beautiful event backdrop complete with gentle sea breeze. A short walk away, there is an outdoor stage, also available for booking. To leave a lasting impression on guests, organisers can also mount the company’s name and logo on a boat. Fort Cornwallis can hold 139 tables in banquet seating.
Website: www.pceb.my
Email: info@pceb.my

Level 2 @ Wisma Yeap Chor Ee, Penang
What makes it special Standing majestically at the intersection of China Street Ghaut and Weld Quay, Wisma Yeap Chor Ee is a magnificent example of Penang’s colonial architecture. The pristine white colonial giant was built in 1922, playing an integral part in Penang’s past as a thriving port-city. The building used to house mercantile offices that traded at the harbour.

How to use it for association events Sandwiched between the Penang Science Cluster on Level 1 and the Penang Accelerator for Creative, Analytics and Technology on Level 3, the second floor of Wisma Yeap Chor Ee boasts a collection of events spaces totalling 929m2. This makes the venue one of the largest heritage colonial spaces in Penang dedicated to business events. It features two large events rooms, each with capacity for 300 people in theatre seating, and an open-layout room that can accommodate 30 tables in banquet.
Website: www.pceb.my
Email: info@pceb.my

Majestic Theatre, Penang
What makes it special Built in 1929 by philanthropist Khoo Sian Ewe, the Majestic Theatre was the first cinema in Penang to screen Chinese talkies, or motion pictures with synchronised sounds. As modern entertainment took over, the Majestic Theatre lost its shine and was abandoned in 1980 until Singapore-based Ministry of Design restored it and gave it a new lease on life as a multipurpose events space. The black-and-white exterior is conserved while the interior bears tribute to the building’s cinematic heritage.

Majestic Theatre, Penang

How to use it for association events The Majestic Theatre is now a versatile space perfect for events such as meetings, seminars and networking parties. The main space on the ground floor has a stage area and can take 400 people in banquet or 600 people in theatre-style seminar. Upstairs, The Circle is ideal for pre-dinner cocktail events for 100 standing guests. The venue comes with a VIP box and holding room, a green room, a backstage area, among other spaces.
Website: www.lokethyekee.com
Email: tay@lokethyekee.com

MACAU

by Prudence Lui

Albergue 1601
What makes it special Opened six years ago, the restaurant is located in the Macau Holy House of Mercy, a privately-owned complex with three blocks built respectively in the first, second, and fourth decade of the past century. Showcasing traditional Macau architecture, the complex is today considered a cultural icon in the territory.

Albergue 1601, Macau

How to use it for association events The two-storey outlet features four different zones, each with capacity for 12 people. The exterior dining area can take 30 people, but there’s also patio adjaent to the restaurant can be rented from the private owner. Albergue 1601 offers one-stop service to facilitate the booking, from venue application, entertainment and onsite catering for 200-300 people. It normally takes around a month to get approval, but this depends on whether there are any other events like art exhibitions going on.
Website: www.scmm.mo/frontend/content/index.php?id=16&hl=en
www.facebook.com/ALBERGUE1601/

Clube Militar De Macau
What makes it special Located in downtown Macau, this 19th century patrimonial heritage building was originally a private club for military officers. Clube Militar De Macau now houses a restaurant serving authentic Portuguese food and wines, bars and a ballroom. Its restaurant has been open to the public since the 1990s, and is highly rated on TripAdvisor.

How to use it for association events Clube Militar can host special functions at four different venues, namely the Stanley Ho Room, Bridge Room and two bars. Other suitable events include receptions and cocktail parties for up to 160 people, or lunch/gala dinners with fine Portuguese food and wines for groups of 12 to 120.
Website: Under renovation
Email: cmm@macau.ctm.net;
Tel: (853) 2871 4009


JAPAN

by Julian Ryall

Ishikawa Prefectural Noh Theatre, Kanazawa City
What makes it special The theatre in Kanazawa, regarded as the place where “Noh chants fall from heaven”, is used every month for performances of this uniquely Japanese form of drama. Performances involving gods, ghosts and superstitions handed down
through centuries take place on the traditional stage – simple, elegant and traditional.

How to use it for association events The bare-wood Noh stage can be covered in carpet and has previously been used for forums involving a number of speakers. The stage – with decorated wood paneling and a pillar beneath a traditional up-curving roof – could also be used for speeches, presentations or demonstrations. There is fixed seating for 400 people.
Website: www.hot-ishikawa.jp/kanko/english/20053.html
Email: noh@pref.ishikawa.lg.jp

Daigoji Temple, Kyoto
What makes it special Dating back to 874, Daigoji Temple is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers visitors the chance to experience the spirit and beauty of ancient Kyoto. The vast, mountain-top temple complex incorporates breathtaking architecture, traditional gardens and Buddhist art. The temple houses up to 69,420 items that have been designated Japanese National Treasures and a further 6,521 Important Cultural Properties.

Daigoji Temple, Kyoto

How to use it for association events The Daigoji museum hall and the Reihokan can accommodate around 1,000 people for standing receptions. Daigoji also has ample space to host dinners of up to 750 people, although as this is a place of prayer, some restrictions on usage apply.

Anyone using the facility can also stroll in the manicured gardens, admiring the ponds and visiting a five-storey pagoda constructed in 951.

Cherry-blossom season, in April, would be a particularly impressive time to stage an event in the sprawling grounds of the temple, although the autumn foliage of russet, red and gold is also impressive.
Website: www.daigoji.or.jp/index_e.html
Email: kyoto@hellokcb.or.jp


PHILIPPINES

by Rosa Ocampo

Baluarte de San Diego, Intramuros, Manila
What makes it special Dating back to the 16th century, the fort carries remnants of the Philippines’ Spanish colonial history. It has three concentric structures made of terra cotta and bricks. Gardens and pergolas were added to the courtyard in recent years, making it more attractive for al fresco business and special events. It’s within the Walled City of Intramuros, the oldest heritage site in the city and the centres of government during the Spanish era.

How to use it for association events The fort can be rented for cocktail receptions (for up to 1,000 people); meetings and seminars (up to 900 people); and dinner (up to 900 people).
Website: intramuros.gov.ph
Email: administrator@intramuros.gov.ph

Fort San Pedro, Cebu City
What makes it special Work on the fort began in 1565 during the Spanish era to ward off Muslim invaders. The triangular structure is the oldest and smallest fort in the country and became part of American barracks during the American regime and a refuge for the Japanese during World War II.

Fort San Pedro, Cebu City

How to use it for association events With an inner courtyard, a colonnade and elevated walkways, the fort can accommodate up to 600 people for alfresco cocktails; concerts, dances and other entertainment; meetings and seminars; and dinner.
Website: cebucity.gov.ph
Email: fortsanpedro_cebucity@yahoo.com

SINGAPORE

by Paige Lee Pei Qi

Capitol Theatre
What makes it special This historic icon in North Bridge Road was first built as a theatre in the 1930s and reopened in 2015 as part of a major heritage redevelopment project. The theatre is now hailed for marrying luxury and old-world glamour, while also integrating state-of-the-art facilities.

How to use it for association events The 900-seat theatre boasts an advanced rotational floor system for different configurations suitable for various event types. The foyer with its dome-shaped ceiling and sculptures of winged horses also provides a perfect space for pre-event cocktails. Spaces are equipped with modern lighting, staging and soundproofing systems.
Website: www.capitolsingapore.com
Email: enquiry@capitolsingapore.com

National Gallery Singapore
What makes it special The National Gallery Singapore is a new visual arts institution housed in two beautifully restored national monuments — the former Supreme Court and City Hall — and offers unique event spaces which blend history with modernity.

National Gallery Singapore

How to use it for association events The auditorium, which seats 208 delegates, is its largest space and comes with a state-of-the-art audio-visual system.

Another venue worth highlighting is the Supreme Court Terrace, which serves as an ideal setting for cosier gatherings of up to 130 people. Situated under a skylight roof, the terrace sits around the iconic Rotunda dome of the former Law Library, allowing guests a glimpse into the old Supreme Court.

Various F&B establishments, such as Yàn, Aura and National Kitchen by Violet Oon, sitting within the National Gallery Singapore are also attractive unique venue alternatives.
Website:
www.nationalgallery.sg
Email: venues@nationalgallery.sg


SOUTH KOREA

by Karen Yue

Samcheonggak, Seoul
What makes it special While not the most ancient of all heritage venues in South Korea, Samcheonggak – constructed in 1972 – holds a special place in the country’s history as it was built to host the North-South Red Cross Conference that year. The venue symbolises the unification of three poles: North and South; Tradition and Modernity; and Korea and the World. Today, Samcheonggak is a public cultural space offering a wide range of cultural education and experience programmes using the four seasons as its backdrop.

Samcheonggak, Seoul;

How to use it for association events Event planners will appreciate the collection of six hanok (traditional Korean houses) and two outdoor areas that can be used for a variety of functions, from banquets and performances to seminars and business meetings.
The largest indoor space is the Ilhwa Hall, which can seat 70 to 150 people. The largest outdoor venue is the Ilhwa Hall Front Yard, which can accommodate a standing reception for 300 people.
Website: www.samcheonggak.or.kr
Email: philothea21@sejongpac.or.kr

Mugyewon, Seoul
What makes it special Mugyewon is a beautiful wood-and-stone hanok built in 1910 and had served as a restaurant from 1953 and as a yojeong, an upscale club for society’s elite, in the 70s and 80s. It is a place of great historical significance, having hosted many important national events. Today, it serves as a high-quality educational and cultural space and is operated by the Jongno Foundation for Arts & Culture.

The building used to be located in Ikseong-dong, Jongno District, but was moved to Buam-dong in 2014 and part of it was renovated.

How to use it for association events Mugyewon’s main building can accommodate standing gatherings of 60 people or 40 seated, while rooms Sarangchae and Haengrangchae – both on the first floor – can take 60 and 50 standing guests respectively. The courtyard and backyard are good for standing receptions of 100 and 200 people respectively.
Website: www.jfac.or.kr
Email: simgoo@jfac.or.kr



TAIWAN

by Prudence Lui

The British Consulate at Takow, Kaohsiung City
What makes it special In 1865, this building became the first official British Consulate in Taiwan, with the British Consular Residence at Takow designed in Baroque stlye. The panoramic sunset sea view makes it one of Taiwan’s popular scenic attractions.

The British Consulate, Kaohsiung City

How to use it for association events The British Consulate’s Rose House can be booked for afternoon tea parties or gala dinners. Indoor spaces Afternoon Tea Lounge and Sea View Veranda can accommodate about 48 people; while the Consular garden can accommodate up to 400 people. Guided tours are also available.
Website: britishconsulate.khcc.gov.tw/eng/
Email: http://service.khcc.gov.tw/


VIETNAM

by Marissa Carruthers

Hanoi Opera House
What makes it special Hanoi Opera House opened in 1911 and reflects the stunning French colonial architecture of this period. Modelled on Paris’ Palais Garnier, it remains one of the city’s architectural landmarks. After the French left the country, it became a place of political activity, eventually slipping into dilapidation. A radical revamp in the 1990s restored the building to its former glory.

Hanoi Opera House, Hanoi

How to use it for association events As well as housing operas, musicals and stage productions, Hanoi Opera House has spaces to make meetings and events extra special. The main room is ideal for large-scale, seated events, boasting a 24x24m audience room complete with stage and 598 seats spread across three floors.

With 19th century décor, the room has an ornately painted ceiling and gold-plated chandeliers. The main lobby also doubles as an events space, with its grand red carpet injecting an extra dose of glamour. The more intimate Mirror Room is ideal for smaller conferences and meetings.
Website: www.hanoioperahouse.org.vn
Email: hnopera@hanoioperahouse.org.vn

Museum of Ho Chi Minh, Ho Chi Minh City
What makes it special Opened in 1885 as Gia Long Palace, this neoclassical structure has lived a pottered life under several regimes. Today, it functions as a museum, displaying archaeological artefacts, ceramics, and exhibits that explore the country’s traditions and its fight for independence. It also has rooms available for private hire and functions.

How to use it for association events Steeped in history, this fascinating two-tiered building holds more than a talking point or two. With its French neoclassical architecture harking back to a time when it housed the former French governor to the extensive underground network of concrete bunkers, where in 1963 president Ngo Dinh Diem of South Vietnam and his brother hid before fleeing the palace, which was being stormed. It is home to a variety of meeting and function rooms that are available for private hire for small- to medium-sized events and meetings upon request.
Website: www.hcmc-museum.edu.vn
Email: baotangtphcm@gmail.com