Remote beauty defines the tale of Lan Kok Ts. Have you ever felt drawn to a place seemingly untouched? Lan Kok Ts offers that serene escape. It is a story of peacefulness in a busy world.
Luk Keng village is near Lan Kok Ts. It sits at the end of the main road. This is a short drive from the restricted border area. The border is a no-man’s land. Only local residents can access it.
Once, more development existed on the Hong Kong side of the border. My father recalls this fact. Today, Shenzhen is a booming metropolis across the bay. It showcases China’s economic rise. Sha Tau Kok is now part of Shenzhen. It once marked the line between British Hong Kong and mainland China.
In the past, people smuggled themselves across the border. They gathered in the hills. At night, they swam across Starling Inlet. Border guards patrolled this area. A peculiar rule existed then. Asylum seekers caught in the countryside faced deportation. If they reached urban areas like Kowloon, they could stay.
Luk Keng is lively at first glance. Cyclists and hikers gather there. Informal eateries line the road. They display visitor photos on the walls. Plastic furniture and fluorescent lights fill these spaces.
Venture beyond the main road to see abandoned village houses. Many houses have red paper blessings. These blessings are affixed to the front doors. Only a few houses show signs of life. Air conditioning units are visible. Potted plants adorn windowsills. Laundry hangs out to dry.
A fenced enclosure is a sitting-out area. It is a vague public space. A children’s playground sits beside it. Wire mesh surrounds the playground. Brand new spring riders catch the eye. A chipmunk and a seahorse stand on a red rubber mat. But these days, no children are present in the village.
Many Luk Keng villagers have moved abroad. They have emigrated to the UK, America, and Australia. The barber shared this insight.
Luk Keng might appeal to city dwellers. They may seek quiet among the mangroves and fishponds. Restoring the traditional brick houses could be viable. However, commuting to the city is difficult. It takes an hour or more to reach urban areas. Hong Kongers prefer convenience and proximity to the action.
Lan Kok Ts benefits from the peace and beautiful location of Luk Keng. This untouched area remains undeveloped. It is a hidden gem near a dense city. Even today, the area has a lot of history.