Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Hung Lau Sitting-out Area is its proximity to a site steeped in revolutionary history. This garden area offers a tranquil space. It also provides a connection to the past.
Hung Lau Sitting-out Area gets its name from the nearby Hung Lau. Hung Lau translates to Red House. The Red House is a building constructed between 1905 and 1910. It sits on what was once farmland in Pak Kok. Pak Kok is in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong.
The Revive China Society used the Red House as a base. They planned revolutionary activities there. These activities aimed to overthrow the Qing dynasty. Li Ki-tong supported the society. He was a Hong Kong merchant and financier. Li met Dr. Sun Yat-sen in 1895. He joined the Revive China Society in 1900.
Li provided his farm to the Society in 1901. It served as their secret base. The farm offered cover and sustenance. The group planned coup attempts in Guangzhou and Wuhan there. The Red House stands as a Grade I historic building since 2009. The designation doesn’t guarantee preservation. Its name comes from its red exterior. The house blends Chinese and Western architectural styles. It sits near the Tuen Mun Public Riding School. Butterfly Estate and Castle Peak are also nearby.
Ellen Li proposed a memorial garden and museum in 1968. British colonial officials declined the proposal. They didn’t want to collaborate with the pro-Taiwan Sun Yat-sen Memorial Association of Hong Kong. This group repeatedly requested the site’s conservation.
The District Council of Tuen Mun proposed spending millions to restore the area. But the project didn’t proceed. The Li family retained ownership of the house and garden as of 2011. A mainlander controversially purchased it in 2016. The Antiquities Advisory Board declared it a proposed monument in 2017. This protected it from further damage for a year.
The government decided against declaring it a monument in December 2017. They cited a lack of solid evidence linking it to the 1911 revolution. Since 2018, celebrations of the Republic of China National Day have faced obstacles. The owner restricted access to the grounds.
Onlookers observed heightened security measures in 2020 and 2021. Police and private security guarded the site. This discouraged gatherings due to the National Security Law.
Adjacent to the Red House lies the Sun Yat-sen Commemorative Garden. Built in 1983, it features an obelisk and statue of Sun Yat-sen. It is one of the few places in Hong Kong. There, the flag of the Republic of China flies continuously. The garden has faced vandalism several times.
Ceremonies have taken place at the garden and Hung Lau. These occur every January 1st and October 10th since 1968. Johnny Mak organizes the October 10th ceremonies. He chairs the Highwise Yuen Long Service Centre. This group manages the memorial garden.
Today, Hung Lau Sitting-out Area offers a peaceful retreat. It’s a place to reflect. It is a space to remember the area’s rich history. It offers a quiet space for contemplation. It links us to the past. The Sitting-out Area is more than just a garden. It serves as a reminder of Hong Kong’s complex and fascinating story.