Mirs Bay

Around 7,000 years ago, the earliest settlers arrived at Mirs Bay. Today, we stand on the edge of this historic bay, also known as Tai Pang Wan, Dapeng Wan, or even Mers Bay. Mirs Bay is located in northeast Hong Kong. It cradles Kat O and the Sai Kung Peninsula. Across the waters lie Yantian and Dapeng New District of Shenzhen, with Ping Chau nestled peacefully in the bay’s embrace. Mirs Bay holds centuries of stories within its shimmering waters. During the Ming Dynasty, the bay provided a crucial defense against pirates. Coastal defenses, such as the Dapeng Fortress, protected the waterways near Hong Kong. Centuries later, Mirs Bay played a role in the Spanish-American War. Commodore George Washington Dewey, who later became an Admiral, used the bay as a haven for the US Navy. He needed refuge and a place for repairs. As recently as 1949, the colonial government enforced a nightly curfew on the bay’s waters. Between 10 PM and 6 AM, no watercraft could move without written permission from the Hong Kong Police. This order established a dividing line between Tolo Channel and Mirs Bay, stretching from Wong Chuk Kok Tsui to Ngo Keng Tsui. Mirs Bay is also a place of natural beauty. It encompasses smaller harbors and inlets, as well as a collection of islands in its northwestern reaches. These include Double Island, Crescent Island, Crooked Island, Grass Island, and Round Island. To the south, the bay’s waters flow into the vast South China Sea. Mirs Bay stands as a testament to Hong Kong’s rich and layered history, a place where ancient settlements meet modern times, where echoes of pirates and naval fleets mingle with the gentle lapping of waves.