“Ghost village”. That’s the nickname some give Wong Chuk Yeung.
Hello everyone. Welcome. Today, our journey takes us to Wong Chuk Yeung. This remote village lies in Tai Po District. It sits on Hong Kong’s Sai Kung Peninsula. Wong Chuk Yeung is nestled within Ma On Shan Country Park, southeast of Ma On Shan Peak.
Wong Chuk Yeung’s story began in 1660. The Lees clan established the village. They came from Dongguan in Guangdong Province. Before settling here, they journeyed to Kowloon City. There, they joined the Ng and Chan clans. Together, they founded Nga Tsin Wai Tsuen.
Life in Wong Chuk Yeung revolved around farming. Villagers grew rice. They also produced sugar and beancurd sticks. These products were sold in the Sai Kung Market.
In 1911, Wong Chuk Yeung had a population of 83 people. Only 25 were male.
During World War II, the Japanese military built facilities near Wong Chuk Yeung. These structures aimed to monitor Communist guerrillas active in Sai Kung. The system included at least 13 pillboxes. The Japanese occupied some village houses. Villagers were forced to build roads to Sai Kung. They also had to construct batteries on the hills.
The 1950s brought significant change. Iron mines opened in Ma On Shan. This lowered the village’s water tables. The land became unsuitable for cultivation. Many farmers had to abandon their land. The government resettled twelve Lee families from Ping Chau near Wong Chuk Yeung. They provided a water supply for daily use and irrigation.
Today, Wong Chuk Yeung is mostly abandoned. However, descendants still visit for ancestral worship such as at Qingming Festival. The MacLehose Trail passes through it. Wong Chuk Yeung is one of Hong Kong’s few abandoned villages accessible by car.
Though quiet now, Wong Chuk Yeung holds stories of resilience and change. Take a moment to reflect on the lives lived here. Imagine the fields, the families, and the history etched into this landscape. Wong Chuk Yeung stands as a testament to time’s passage. It is a reminder of the human stories woven into Hong Kong’s rich tapestry.