Cha Kwo Ling

Did you ever imagine a hill named after a Hakka snack? Cha Kwo Ling, a peak in eastern Kowloon, takes its name from the macaranga tanarius plant. Its leaves were key to making cha kwo. Cha Kwo Ling isn’t just a hill. It’s an area rich in history, nestled beside Victoria Harbour. This area was once a thriving quarry site, one of four such hills in eastern Kowloon. The Hakka people, drawn to the area after the founding of Victoria City in 1841, became skilled quarrymen. Cha Kwo Ling granite even built the “Stone House” cathedral in Guangzhou. The quarry industry faded, but Cha Kwo Ling found new life. During China’s Civil War, it became a refuge, its population swelling to 20,000. Refugees built makeshift homes among the original village houses, creating a close-knit community. Sadly, three fires between 1983 and 2006 ravaged the area. Many villagers relocated, yet the spirit of Cha Kwo Ling endures. Today, about 3,000 people still call Cha Kwo Ling home. Remnants of its quarrying past are visible in the Tin Hau Temple, built in 1948 with granite blocks. Two unique rocks, known as the “Child-Giving Rocks,” stand before the temple. The Law Mansion, the oldest surviving residential building in Cha Kwo Ling, is another testament to its history. Constructed in 1855 from locally quarried granite, it stands as a silent witness to Cha Kwo Ling’s transformation. From quarry to refuge to modern development, Cha Kwo Ling’s story is one of resilience and community.