“Tiger’s Cliff to be no more.” That was a headline. It appeared in the August 10, 1971, edition of the South China Morning Post. Today, we explore the place once known as Lo Fu Ngam, now called Lo Fu Tung.
Lo Fu Tung, or “Tiger’s Den,” got its name from the tigers that once roamed Hong Kong. Imagine a time when these majestic creatures were part of the local landscape. The last wild tiger was killed in 1915. It happened shortly after it mauled two police officers in Sheung Shui.
The residents of Lo Fu Ngam weren’t taking any chances. More than 40,000 of them petitioned the government. They wanted to change the name of their estate. They felt the name brought bad luck. In 1971, their wish was granted. Lo Fu Ngam became Lok Fu. Lok Fu means “happiness and wealth.”
The area’s history goes back further. From its settlement in the 13th century to the growth of Kowloon Walled City, Lok Fu has seen it all. It has witnessed post-war public housing projects. It has enjoyed the development of the city’s biggest urban park. Today, it faces regeneration.
Lok Fu encapsulates Hong Kong’s history. It is a microcosm of the city’s evolution. The area was once a village for grass-roots people. Little restaurants and cafes dotted the landscape.
Even the name “Lok Fu Estate” has a story. It was formerly the Lo Fu Ngam Resettlement Area. This area had 23 blocks. They were built in 1957. Local residents found the name Lo Fu Ngam inauspicious. That is why the settlement was renamed Lok Fu.
A former shrine at the site was moved. It now resides within the Tsui Ping Estate in Kwun Tong. In 1973, the area officially became Lok Fu Estate. Rehabilitation and redevelopment began in the 1980s.
In 1991, six blocks from the nearby Wang Tau Hom Estate were added to Lok Fu Estate. According to the 2016 by-census, Lok Fu Estate had a population of 9,952. The median age was 50.8. Most residents were of Chinese ethnicity.
These days, there are no tigers in Lo Fu Tung, but there is artisanal coffee. It is roasted inside the Stone Houses. These old village houses have become a coffee shop and history museum. The Stone Houses renovation is managed by Wing Kwong So-Care Company.
So, as we stand here at Lo Fu Tung, remember its journey. From a tiger’s den to a place of happiness and wealth. It continues to evolve, holding onto its rich heritage. A fascinating blend of old and new.