Can you imagine a bustling street transforming into a tranquil oasis? Right here at the Tai Loong Street Sitting-out Area, that’s exactly what happened. Tai Loong Street itself has a rich history. It became a main road connecting Shek Wu Estate to Wo Hop Road around 1965. Initially designed for two-way traffic, it was permanently altered to a one-way route heading east to west. This change coincided with the opening of the Cheung Wing Road intersection in 1981. This shift created a bus stop near the Fung Yuen Baptist Church Kindergarten.
Interestingly, before the extension of Shek Pui Street in 1993, Tai Loong Street was the only road connecting the Shek Wu Estate area to the outside world. While Tai Loong Street provided a direct route to Wo Hop Road, residents found it more convenient to use a pedestrian staircase and ramp. This walkway, about 100 meters long, ran alongside the playground at Tai Loong Street and the first secondary school of Fanling Rhenish Church. This pedestrian route became a popular shortcut between Wo Hop Road and areas around Tai Loong Street, including the Shek Wu Estate. To improve pedestrian access, the government later proposed and built an escalator and pedestrian walkway. This provided a more convenient and accessible route linking Wo Hop Road and Tai Loong Street. It also catered to the elderly and wheelchair users.
Tai Loong Street Sitting-out Area serves as a welcome respite from the urban hustle. This area is situated within a neighborhood filled with residential buildings, schools, nursing homes, and community facilities. The street also offers ample parking. Along its 500-meter stretch, you’ll find three public metered parking areas. These are conveniently located near Kwai Fong Mansion, Hang Seng Bank Mansion, and Shek Ying Path. The parking meters themselves got an upgrade in July 2021. Unfortunately, the new meters had design flaws. Some slots were unusable due to canopy obstructions, and pedestrian entrances were mistakenly marked as parking spaces, confusing drivers.
Today, Tai Loong Street and the surrounding area continue to be a vital part of the Shek Wu Estate community. The Tai Loong Street Sitting-out Area offers a place for people to relax and enjoy the neighborhood’s atmosphere. The street’s history, from its initial construction to its various modifications, reflects the evolving needs of the community it serves.