Journey with me to Lo Wu. This area sits on the border between Hong Kong and mainland China. More precisely it borders the Luohu District of Shenzhen. Lo Wu serves as the most heavily used immigration control point. Passengers travel to and from mainland China through here. The Lo Wu station is located here.
Once upon a time, Lo Wu was known as Lo Wu. In Cantonese, this meant shell lake. The characters are similar. They share the same consonant and vowel sounds. However they differ in tone.
Lo Wu appears in the list of villages withdrawn during the Qing era. This was done to resist the former Ming dynasty. In 1911, the population of Lo Wu was a mere eight people.
Lo Wu sits at the meeting point of the Sheung Yue River and the Sham Chun River. Sandy Ridge lies to the east of Lo Wu. Locals call it Sha Ling. It is one of Hong Kong’s major cemeteries. The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory divided the Lo Wu area in 1898.
For many years, the British Army maintained a camp here. It was at the base of Crest Hill. A regimental badge was carved into the slopes of the hill. Later Royal Artillery survey units occupied the tented camp. They observed the People’s Republic from the Crest Hill outlook post. In February 1950, a Koumintang aircraft illegally flew over Hong Kong. It bombed the railway to Guangzhou beyond Lo Wu. This occurred during assaults from Formosa.
There was no border patrol between 1898 and 1949. People could travel freely between Hong Kong and China. In 1952, the Hong Kong Government established the Frontier Closed Area. This included Lo Wu. The aim was to combat illegal immigration and smuggling.
The border crossing facility is only accessible via the Lo Wu station. It is on the East Rail line. A Closed Area Permit is needed for non residents. This applies to those not crossing the border. Applications can be made at the Sheung Shui Police station. This station is in Fanling.
The Lo Wu station is the East Rail line’s northern terminus. It sits on the southern bank of the Sham Chun River. It is within Hong Kong’s Frontier Closed Area. The station is a key checkpoint for rail passengers. They travel between Hong Kong and mainland China.
The Lo Wu Immigration Control Point facilitates passenger crossings. It operates from 6:30 am to midnight daily. During peak times, Lo Wu offers shorter waiting times. This is due to its large visitor handling capacity. It handles 90% of passenger departures. These include non residents. They depart from Hong Kong to mainland China. They pass through land border control points. Lo Wu accounts for 85% of these departures.
Lo Wu is the most popular border crossing. Many people use the East Rail line. It is more convenient than other transport options. By passing through Lo Wu, one can quickly reach Shenzhen’s commercial zone.
Since 2002, Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above can bring in 60 cigarettes duty free. This is for their own use. They must have spent at least 24 hours outside Hong Kong. However, since 2010, this allowance has been reduced to 19 cigarettes. Incoming passengers must declare dutiable cigarettes. They must pay the duty on them. This is according to the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.
Discussions continue about 24 hour border crossing at Lo Wu. Concerns exist about limited nighttime passengers. Higher costs and noise pollution are also concerns. Railway services around the clock may be impossible. Maintenance can be difficult. Despite potential social problems it eases travel between Hong Kong and mainland China.
Lo Wu lies within the Closed Area. Usually only travellers pass through. They travel to Shenzhen. Citizens need special approval to enter for other reasons.
In 2000, Yu Man Hon went missing at the Lo Wu boundary. He was mentally disabled. The fifteen year old ran across the control point without identification. He was mistakenly released into mainland China. He has not been heard from since. Officials were criticised for lack of awareness. They failed to recognise his disability. His parents continue to search for him.
The Luohu District has flourished due to its location. However, the Lo Wu area in Hong Kong remains remote. Access is restricted. Development is impossible. The area has largely remained rural. Cheaper goods and dining in Shenzhen affect Hong Kong’s retail industry. Despite environmental concerns the closed area may open to selective development. This threatens local fauna and flora.
In 1995, Hong Kong and Shenzhen completed an environmental impact assessment. This concerned the Sham Chun River. The project involved constructing wider river sections.
Now you know a little more about Lo Wu. It is a place of constant movement. It is a gateway between two worlds.