Site of Chinese Customs Station, Fat Tong Chau

Smugglers’ whispers carried on the wind. This is the story of the Site of Chinese Customs Station, Fat Tong Chau. Once a hub of clandestine activity, it now stands as a silent testament to a bygone era. Let’s journey back to the late 19th century. The air is thick with the scent of salt and illicit opium. Fat Tong Chau, then known as Junk Island or even earlier as Buddhist Hall Island, was a strategic point in the bustling trade routes. But this wasn’t your typical commerce. This was the shadowy world of opium smuggling. The Qing Dynasty, grappling with rampant smuggling, took decisive action. In 1868, they established customs stations at key locations. Fat Tong Chau, along with Cheung Chau and Kap Shui Mun, became a frontline in the fight against illicit trade. Imagine the scene at the Site of Chinese Customs Station, Fat Tong Chau. Officials meticulously inspected passing ships. They searched for hidden compartments filled with the contraband drug. The station’s presence was a clear message. The authorities were determined to control the flow of opium and collect the likin tax. But the smugglers were cunning. They devised ingenious methods to evade capture. Whispers of secret routes and hidden caches filled the air. This cat-and-mouse game continued for decades. A broken stone slab, discovered in 1962, tells a part of the story. Its inscription reads: “By the Grace (of the Emperor), tributes are accepted from and customs exchange with Annam, which is far away (from China). Renovated by the Manager of the Customs Station.” This seemingly simple message reveals the station’s official role in managing trade and collecting taxes. However, the reality was far more complex. The customs station also served as a bulwark against the thriving opium trade. The game changed in 1899. The lease of the New Territories to Britain brought an end to the customs station’s operations on Fat Tong Chau. The whispers of smugglers faded into the past. The island itself transformed. Land reclamation connected it to the mainland. It became part of Tseung Kwan O, a testament to Hong Kong’s ever-changing landscape. Today, the Site of Chinese Customs Station, Fat Tong Chau, stands as a ruin. It’s a reminder of a turbulent era. It whispers tales of illicit trades, imperial decrees, and the constant struggle for control. As you stand here, imagine the ghosts of smugglers and officials. They still walk these grounds, their stories etched in the very stones. The Site of Chinese Customs Station, Fat Tong Chau, is more than just ruins. It’s a portal to a fascinating chapter in Hong Kong’s history.