From the late Qing dynasty on, many scholars and renowned individuals came to Hong Kong to give lectures and establish schools to promote Sinology, driving the development of Chinese language education in Hong Kong. During the Japanese Invasion, many renowned schools in Guangzhou were moved to Hong Kong and Macao and continued teaching in temporary facilities. After the Fall of Hong Kong, some of the schools returned to their original sites in the Mainland or joined with other schools to continue to operate, so that students in the GBA could continue their studies during the difficult times. The mission of the founding schools linked teachers and students in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. When World War II ended, a tertiary institution with strong ties to the Mainland was founded in Hong Kong. It recruited students from the Mainland and overseas countries to nurture national talent.

"Good Education Takes Time: Passing on the Mission of the Founding Schools”, includes 12 declared monuments and historic buildings with grading on 5 sites.