Remember Kai Tak Airport? Checkerboard Hill served as a crucial guide for pilots landing there. It is more than just a hill. It is a piece of Hong Kong’s aviation history.
Checkerboard Hill stands 98 meters tall. It is also known as Kowloon Tsai Hill and Tak Mee Mountain. The hill got its name from the large red and white checkerboard pattern painted on its side. This pattern was a visual aid for pilots approaching Runway 13 at Kai Tak Airport.
Imagine being a pilot. You are navigating your plane toward Hong Kong. The Instrument Guidance System leads you to Checkerboard Hill. Once you spot the checkerboard, you make a sharp 47-degree right turn. This maneuver lines you up perfectly with the runway. The “Hong Kong Turn” or “Checkerboard Approach” became famous. It was a challenging but thrilling part of landing at Kai Tak.
Kai Tak Airport was known for its demanding landings. Pilots needed special training to navigate the approach. They had to aim for Checkerboard Hill and then visually break away to land. This required precision and skill.
The airport closed in 1997. Chek Lap Kok International Airport opened. Checkerboard Hill was abandoned. The checkerboard faded and became overgrown. There were no more planes relying on it.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, something wonderful happened. From 2020 to 2021, Checkerboard Hill was restored. The checkerboard pattern was repainted. It regained its original colors. Now, it stands as a monument to Kai Tak Airport.
Today, you can visit Checkerboard Hill. Access is easy via Lok Fu MTR station. The hill is opposite the station. It requires a short hike to Lok Fu Park. Then, a careful walk along ledges and over boulders brings you to the checkerboard.
Stand here. Imagine the roar of jumbo jets overhead. Picture them making that last-minute turn. Now, the view is filled with skyscrapers. But the memory of Kai Tak remains.
Checkerboard Hill offers great views of Kowloon City. Development has changed the skyline. Yet, the spirit of old Hong Kong lingers.
So, take a moment to appreciate Checkerboard Hill. It is more than just a landmark. It is a symbol of Hong Kong’s aviation past. A past filled with daring pilots and unforgettable landings.