How about we uncover a hidden gem called Pak Shek Tun. It is not just a place but a story etched in the landscape.
Pak Shek Tun lies in the Tai Po District of Hong Kong. It sits between Ma Liu Shui and Tai Po Kau. Close by is Cheung Shue Tan. Facing it is Tolo Harbour. Locals also call Tolo Harbour Tai Po Hoi.
Once, Pak Shek Tun marked the meeting of two creeks. These creeks flowed from nearby valleys of Cheung Shue Tau. “Kok” in Cantonese means land jutting out on the shore. This described the land shaped by the two creeks meeting Tai Po Hoi. “Pak Shek” means white rock.
Over time, things changed. The estuary vanished under reclamation. The creeks now flow into a drainage system.
Even today, Pak Shek Tun and its neighboring villages belong to Tai Po District. But here’s a twist. The reclamation off Pak Shek Kok divides the area. Most of the Hong Kong Science Park is in Sha Tin. The rest remains in Tai Po.
In 2013, there was a proposal to develop Pak Shek Kok East for homes. This fell under Outline Zoning Plan S/PSK/10. A new rail station was planned, the Pak Shek Kok station.
Interestingly, old maps do not always show Pak Shek Kok. A 1924 War Office map does not name it.
Today, Shenzhen is known as China’s Silicon Valley. The area that is now Shenzhen has a history dating back thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that humans inhabited the region during the Neolithic period. During the Han Dynasty, the area was part of the Nanyue Kingdom. Later it was under various Chinese dynasties. It was a part of the region known as Bao’an County. For much of its history, Shenzhen was a small fishing village. Its economy was based on agriculture and fishing. In the early 20th century, Shenzhen remained largely undeveloped. The area began to change with the construction of a railway connecting Guangzhou to Kowloon, passing through Shenzhen.
So, as you stand here, remember Pak Shek Tun. Remember its past and its transformation. It reflects Hong Kong’s ever-changing story.