Kuk Po is an abandoned village in rural north-east Hong Kong… See also:
- Part II: More Photos from the Abandoned Village Outpost.
- Part III: Interview with the Only Resident of Kuk Po Ghost Village.
- Part IV: Plover Cove’s Abandoned Ghost Town Revisited.
The town borders the Frontier Closed Area…
The village was once home to about 160 people.
Villagers’ animals used to graze in the area – people kept cows, chickens and pigs and also fished. Salt farming was particularly popular.
Wild vegetation sprawls over what was once farmland.
Some ex-residents maintain their links with the village – a few visit frequently, especially on the first and fifteenth of the lunar months. At this time, there are festivities to provide offerings to ancestors and the Gods.
There is an old school, built in the 1928, inspired by the Guangzhou Military Academy School.
It was still in use until the early 1990s.
The last headmaster Mr. Ho, a couple of teachers, and a few children travelled across the bay to attend school everyday.
An altar is now installed inside.
A stall near to the school is open every Sunday to cater for the travellers, owned by local indigenous Kuk Po people.
The inhabitants of Kuk Po were Hakka speakers like the surrounding villages and those in the town of Sha Tau Kok.
Some homes are still supplied with electricity and running water.
As Hong Kong began to industrialise in the 50s, thousands of families left rural villages to move to the rapidly growing urban areas to find better-paid jobs.
Many moved to Europe, during a time when full UK residency was still available to Hong Kongers.
For over three centuries, the area of Kuk Po has been inhabited by seven clans, the Sung, Lee, Ho, Tsang, Cheng, Ng and Yang.
When farmers moved to cities, cows were left idle. Now many of them are left wandering through the Kuk Po valley.
Most of the houses are closed and many are well-locked up.
As with other abandoned villages, it has been difficult for the government to find all of the owners – many of whom have moved abroad.
Take green minibus 56K from exit C, Fanling MTR. Head to Luk Keng (last stop, 40mins) – locals will direct you to Fung Hang Family Walk.
Kuk Po is 45mins into the trail, which is 2.25km in total. The coastal path is well maintained, quiet and surrounded by hills.
The entire Plover Cove hike, however, is a day-trip in itself and possibly the toughest hike in HK and not recommended for beginners.
Buildings in Shenzhen can be seen clearly across the water during the family trail, which is almost all flat and has a pleasant sea breeze.
The hike can easily be combined with a visit to Bride’s Pool, which is further down Bride’s Pool Road. It is best to visit on a Sunday when buses ply the route, otherwise it may be a long wait for taxis.
Boat access is possible but you would need a special border crossing permit.
Check out nearby Fung Heng (blog post coming soon) – a similar, semi-abandoned village en route. Hikers can get a basic meal and drinks from the cafe here.
New York Times article about Kuk Po.
Also on the blog…
- Nearby semi-abandoned Fung Hang
- Abandoned TV studios near Sai Kung
- Central’s abandoned prison and police station
- HK’s abandoned ‘ghost island’
- Wanchai’s abandoned police station
- Abandoned villages in HK’s ‘wild west’
Click here for more historical entries.
Exploring forgotten corners of HK where nature is winning…
- Abandoned TV studios near Sai Kung.
- Abandoned Villages in HK’s ‘Wild West’ (Fan Lau).
- Central’s Abandoned Prison and Police Station.
- Fung Hang Semi-Abandoned Village.
- HK’s Abandoned ‘Ghost Island’, Yim Tin Tsai.
- Kuk Po: Interview with the Only Villager.
- Kuk Po: More Shots from the Abandoned Village Outpost.
- Kuk Po: Photos from HK’s Borderzone Ghost Town.
- Ma Wan Abandoned Town Part 1.
- Ma Wan Abandoned Town Part 2.
- Shing Mun Redoubt, HK’s Secret WWII Tunnels.
- Tung Ping Chau: The Abandoned Hamlets of Hong Kong’s ‘Jumanji Island’.
- Tung Ping Chau: The Abandoned Military Base on HK’s Wild Outpost.
- Tung Ping Chau: Video discussing HK’s Abandoned, Wild Island Outpost.
- Wanchai’s Abandoned Police Station.
Check out the Hong Wrong Mega Index for more.
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Pingback: An abandoned village called Kuk Po I visited in Hong Kong, where only the cows villagers left behind roam. Many more in comments! | My blog – MelanieOzuna
Thanks a lot for showing us a valuable piece of Local History. The photography is both informative & artistic (with a sense of nostalgia).
Thanks a lot for showing us a valuable piece of Local History. The photography is both informative & artistic (with a sense of nostalgia).
Thank you for these photos. They have depicted the state of desertion of some of the most beautiful places in Hong Kong. It is an irony that amid cries of lack of livable land, there can be such vast areas of natural beauty in HK.
Thank you for these photos. They have depicted the state of desertion of some of the most beautiful places in Hong Kong. It is an irony that amid cries of lack of livable land, there can be such vast areas of natural beauty in HK.
wow, it’s really good, merci
wow, it’s really good, merci
Great pics and info. Thanks for showing such rural beauties rarely seen of HK…
Great pics and info. Thanks for showing such rural beauties rarely seen of HK…
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