High on a hill overlooking Choi Wan Estate sits Choi Fai Estate. It’s a quiet, unassuming place, but its story is woven into the fabric of Hong Kong’s public housing history. Choi Fai Estate wasn’t always here. Before its two blocks rose in 1995, this area near the foot of Fei Ngo Shan was part of a larger narrative. That narrative began with Ngau Chi Wan Village, later transformed into the sprawling Choi Wan Estate. Choi Wan Estate, with its blocks named after celestial bodies, sits below Choi Fai Estate. This placement is quite deliberate. “Wan” in Cantonese means cloud, and “Hung” (as in nearby Choi Hung Estate) means rainbow. Choi Fai Estate, the cloud, sits naturally above Choi Hung, the rainbow. Choi Fai Estate itself consists of just two blocks: Choi Wah House and Choi Yip House. They stand as a testament to Hong Kong’s ongoing efforts to provide public housing. If you look closely, at the ground floor of Choi Wah House, you might spot some rather unusual bins. These are part of a food waste collection trial, a small detail hinting at the city’s commitment to sustainability. So, next time you’re in Ngau Chi Wan, look up towards Fei Ngo Shan. Remember Choi Fai Estate. Remember it not just for its two buildings, but for its connection to the larger story of Hong Kong’s public housing and the communities it shelters.
Sai Wan Shan
Considering a hike today? Sai Wan Shan is calling us. Sai Wan Shan is a hill within Sai Kung East