How about a journey back in time right here at Ma Tau Kok Public Pier? This pier stands as a testament to Hong Kong’s ever-changing landscape. It is a place of constant change.
Ma Tau Kok itself is an area north of To Kwa Wan. It is southeast of modern-day Ma Tau Chung. It lies southwest of the former Kai Tak Airport. This pier connects this mixed industrial and residential area to the sea.
The Ma Tau Kok Public Pier we see today isn’t the first. The pier has seen a lot. To facilitate construction works it was temporarily relocated on December 28, 2020. This relocation was for the Central Kowloon Route Project. The pier was moved to temporary landing steps at King Wan Street. After those works Ma Tau Kok Public Pier was reopened in 2023.
This pier facilitates a vital ferry service. It is a connection to North Point. Ferries depart regularly every 30 minutes during the day.
Ma Tau Kok has an industrial past too. In 1935, a gas work was built at the junction of To Kwa Wan and Ma Tau Kok roads. It operated until about 1994. Today, the Grand Waterfront building stands there. In 1956, a second gas work was built west of To Kwa Wan Road. It switched from coal to naphtha gasification. Today, it is a storage facility. It also has a small gasification plant as a backup.
The pier also stands near the Cattle Depot Artist Village. This village was once a former cattle depot and slaughterhouse. Now, it contains artist studios. It also hosts exhibitions and art projects.
Ma Tau Kok Public Pier embodies resilience and adaptability. It connects people and places. This pier remains a functional structure and a reminder of Hong Kong’s dynamic story. As you continue your journey, remember the pier and its stories. Remember the resilience of Ma Tau Kok.