“Closed.” That’s what some hikers said about the path to the \u5927\u5e3d\u5c71\u8c93\u5c4b Mural. But let’s talk about this intriguing place before it disappeared.
The \u5927\u5e3d\u5c71\u8c93\u5c4b Mural is a recent hotspot for hikers. It might even be more popular than Tai Tung Shan and Tung Yeung Shan. This artwork is nestled on Tai Mo Shan’s northern slope around 870 meters high. The mural adorns an abandoned stone house.
Locals believe this stone house was once a British military facility. The weathered walls now feature painted cats. Hikers affectionately call it the “\u5927\u5e3d\u5c71\u8c93\u5c4b Mural”.
An artist from Russia created this mural. You can find his Instagram account name on the mural’s upper right corner. He has many works of art on walls. On October 20, he shared a video of himself creating the “\u5927\u5e3d\u5c71\u8c93\u5c4b Mural”. He took spray paint to Tai Mo Shan and found an abandoned stone house. He painted at night with a light. He transformed a plain wall into art.
The artist cleverly used the wall’s shape. The cats look like they are peering from a cardboard box. Their eyes seem to follow every visitor.
Getting to the \u5927\u5e3d\u5c71\u8c93\u5c4b Mural involves passing through a broken iron gate. There weren’t any signs indicating government property.
Recently, the path to the \u5927\u5e3d\u5c71\u8c93\u5c4b Mural was blocked. The Lands Department put up tape saying, “No entry”. A notice from the Yuen Long Lands Office declared this government land. It stated, “No unauthorized occupation, use, dumping, excavation and cultivation. Offenders will be prosecuted.”
Though access might be restricted, the story of the \u5927\u5e3d\u5c71\u8c93\u5c4b Mural remains. It highlights how art can transform forgotten spaces even if only temporary. Perhaps this is just a pause and the \u5927\u5e3d\u5c71\u8c93\u5c4b Mural will inspire more unexpected art in Hong Kong.