和合石 休憩處 Wo Hop Shek Sitting-out Area

Could a train transport the deceased? At Wo Hop Shek Sitting-out Area, this was once a reality. This tranquil spot near Fanling, once the site of the Wo Hop Shek Branch Line’s terminus, holds a unique piece of Hong Kong’s history. Wo Hop Shek Sitting-out Area is a quiet reminder of a time when life and death intertwined with the railway. The Wo Hop Shek Branch Line, a short offshoot of the Kowloon-Canton Railway, operated from 1950 to 1983. Its purpose? To transport the deceased from Hung Hom Station to the nearby Wo Hop Shek Cemetery. Imagine specially modified train cars, equipped with pulleys and rollers to efficiently handle coffins. Wo Hop Shek Cemetery itself was a controversial project, intended to replace overcrowded urban cemeteries. The colonial government’s decision to build it in Fanling was met with resistance, particularly from the Tung Wah Group. The group, a charitable organization providing services to the Chinese community, protested the closure of their urban cemeteries. The government attempted to appease the public by offering free coffin transport and discounted train tickets for accompanying family. They even introduced fare discounts during grave-sweeping festivals. Despite these efforts, many families opted to hold funerals in Hung Hom and entrust the final journey to the Urban Services Department. The Wo Hop Shek Branch Line became a vital link during these festivals, carrying throngs of visitors. The sheer volume of people led to crowd control issues and price gouging by unlicensed minibuses. Eventually, private cars were banned from the cemetery on festival days. This tradition of twice-yearly traffic chaos in Fanling originated from this logistical decision. The railway to Wo Hop Shek served its unique purpose for over three decades. The rise of cremation, coupled with improved road access to the New Territories, led to a decline in demand. In 1983, the line was decommissioned, its tracks dismantled. Today, Wo Hop Shek Sitting-out Area stands as a silent testament to this fascinating chapter in Hong Kong’s history. It’s a place to reflect on the changing customs and the enduring human need to honor the deceased.