Curious about a place where time seems to stand still? I will tell you the story of Ngau Chi Wan Village. Ngau Chi Wan Village is a remarkable place in Hong Kong. It is one of the last shantytowns in the urban area.
Imagine Ngau Chi Wan. It is surrounded by modern high-rises. This contrast makes it special. But Ngau Chi Wan’s future is uncertain. The government plans to redevelop the area soon.
Ngau Chi Wan Village started as a village over 200 years ago. It was once just another village. In the 1950s, many refugees came from mainland China. This turned Ngau Chi Wan into a large area. There were houses, shops, factories, and shanties.
In 1958, the government began to redevelop the area. They built apartment blocks for low-income families. This became Choi Hung Estate. It was the first low-cost housing complex. It aimed to provide permanent homes. Over time, more housing projects were built. But Ngau Chi Wan Village remained untouched.
In the 1970s, plans arose to build a subway station. Half of Ngau Chi Wan Village would be destroyed. Over 1,000 residents had to leave. But about 30 refused. They reached a compromise. Most villagers moved to Choi Hung Estate. Those who stayed received townhouses. These were built on top of the new subway station.
Today, the ground floors of these houses are restaurants and shops. This bustling street leads to the quieter, older part of Ngau Chi Wan Village. This part was left intact.
Peter Bok was born in Ngau Chi Wan in 1952. He remembers it as a lively place. He grew up in house No. 60. It was a large courtyard dwelling. More than a dozen families lived there. The village chief also lived there. This made No. 60 very famous.
The house faced a playground. Itinerant entertainers performed there. Acrobats and kung fu performers delighted the children. Village leaders would show black-and-white films. They used a white sheet on a house wall as a screen. All the villagers brought stools and chairs to watch.
When there were no acrobats, children went to the village grocery stores. They paid a small fee to watch television. They also played in nearby farm fields. They played hide and seek. They flew kites.
Today, Ngau Chi Wan Village has old shops and houses. These are divided into tiny apartments. Many residents are low-income. They include cleaners, construction workers, and retirees. Years of neglect have left Ngau Chi Wan in poor condition. There are rats, cockroaches, and bad odors.
The government plans to tear down Ngau Chi Wan. They will replace the old houses with apartment buildings. This change is coming in the next decade. One resident, Chou, has seen many changes. He says it will be a pity to see everything gone forever. But he stays calm. He knows he cannot stop the government.
Ngau Chi Wan is more than just buildings. It is a place with a unique history. It reflects Hong Kong’s growth. It shows the challenges of balancing progress and preserving the past.
Ngau Chi Wan Village also has some features such as the Sam Shan Kwok Wong Temple. “Sam Shan” refers to three famous mountains of Chaozhou in Guangdong. The Hakkas worship the Lords of the Three Mountains. They build temples in their new places. The temple has been renovated several times. At the end of the lunar year, there is a flower fair outside the temple.
Ngau Chi Wan Park opened in 2011.