“Carp Channel” may sound like a place teeming with fish. But Sai Ngau Tau Wan’s story begins not with fishing but with stone. This area, now part of Kwun Tong District, was once a vital quarry site.
Sai Ngau Tau Wan was historically one of the “Four Hills of Kowloon”. These hills were known for their high-quality granite. The other three hills were Ngau Tau Kok, Cha Kwo Ling and Lei Yue Mun. These four areas formed the Sze Shan. This translates to Four Hills.
Let’s step back in time to the Qing Dynasty. The eastern part of Kowloon was a popular source of granite. Sai Ngau Tau Wan played a crucial role in this industry. Piers stretched from Ngau Tau Kok to Lei Yue Mun. They facilitated rock transport across Hong Kong. They also served villages in Guangdong.
Imagine the post-war construction boom. Demand for stone soared making quarrying a tough yet profitable venture. Four major companies dominated this industry. They were Lei Hing, Dai Hing, Tung Fong and Wong Yin.
Picture the scene. Men handled pneumatic drills. Women broke stones. These workers toiled tirelessly to meet the growing demand. Quarry work paid well. Workers even enjoyed free meals and lodging near the lighthouse.
The late 1960s brought significant change. In 1967, riots swept through Hong Kong. The government responded by banning explosives. This ban devastated the quarrying industry. Explosives were essential for efficient stone extraction.
Sai Ngau Tau Wan along with other sites faced closure. This marked the end of Lei Yue Mun’s century-old mining industry. The landscape began to transform. The once-bustling quarries fell silent.
Today Sai Ngau Tau Wan bears little resemblance to its past. The echoes of mining have faded. Nature has reclaimed much of the area. Yet the story of its origins remains etched in its rocks.
As you stand here remember the Sze Shan. Remember Sai Ngau Tau Wan and its contribution to Hong Kong’s growth. Consider the workers who shaped these stones. Their labor built the foundations of this city. The legacy of the Four Hills and Sai Ngau Tau Wan endures.