A curious blend of past and present, that’s A Ma Wan for you. A Ma Wan sits nestled between Lantau Island and Tsing Yi. This small island, a mere 0.97 square kilometers, holds centuries of stories. A Ma Wan’s history stretches back to 3000 BC, with evidence of settlements from the Mid-Neolithic period. More recent history reveals A Ma Wan as a bustling fishing village, known for its pang uk, or stilt houses. The villagers thrived on fish farming and agriculture, their lives a peaceful rhythm of tides and harvests.
The late 1990s brought a dramatic shift. The completion of the Tsing Ma and Kap Shui Mun Bridges connected A Ma Wan to the mainland. This marked the beginning of a decline in the fishing village, as residents began to relocate. By 2000, the population had dwindled to 800. In the north, a new chapter unfolded. The Park Island luxury apartment complex began to rise, funded by billionaire Thomas Kwok. Alongside it, Ma Wan Park, a biblical theme park, took shape.
These developments, however, displaced many of the original villagers. They were offered new homes in exchange for their land, a deal not all accepted willingly. Kwok’s project sparked controversy. In 2014, he was jailed for bribery, the theme park revealed as a tactic to facilitate the Park Island development. The old village, slated for demolition, was left abandoned. Today, A Ma Wan stands as a poignant blend of old and new. The modern apartments loom large, while the remnants of the old village whisper tales of a bygone era. The Tin Hau Temple, possibly commissioned by the pirate Cheng Po Tsai, still stands, a testament to the island’s rich past. A Ma Wan’s story continues, a blend of progress and poignant memories.