Seven villages cling to Tai Tam Harbour’s western shore. Their names whisper of history. Lan Nai Wan Tung Ah Tung Ah Pui Ngan Hang and To Tei Wan. They are known collectively as The Five Lan Nai Wan Villages.
Tai Tam Harbour itself is a narrow inlet a watery embrace within Tai Tam Bay. Imagine Tanka boat people gathering here centuries ago their lives intertwined with the harbour’s rhythm. The harbour is about 200 meters wide and 2 kilometers long. Its average depth is only about 3 meters.
Today Tai Tam Harbour is quieter. Upscale residences such as Redhill Peninsula Red Hill Park Turtle Cove Le Palais and Villa Rosa line its southwestern edge. These homes offer breathtaking views of the tranquil waters. A stark contrast to the past.
But the past is not entirely gone. Remains of military installations dot the landscape. Lookouts and pillboxes stand as silent witnesses to battles fought. The echoes of World War II still linger in the Five Lan Nai Wan Villages. Tai Tam was a strategic location. It saw fierce fighting between Commonwealth and Japanese forces in December 1941.
The Hong Kong International School stands near the western shore. Its modern buildings stand in juxtaposition to the old. Nearby are the structures of the Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping Station. These five structures are declared monuments. They are part of the 22 Historic Structures of Tai Tam Group of Reservoirs.
Tai Tam Tuk Village itself was relocated after the construction of Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir. It sits at the harbour’s estuary. The 1911 census recorded just 76 residents. Nearby Lan Nai Wan had only 4 and To Tei Wan had 54. The numbers were small then.
The inner bay of Tai Tam Harbour is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Designated in 1975 its mangrove-filled estuary teems with life. This protected area safeguards a delicate ecosystem. A haven of tranquility in a bustling city. A hidden gem. The history of Tai Tam is etched into its very landscape. Its waters its buildings its villages all tell a story. A story waiting to be discovered.