Has anyone ever told you about the mountain that whispers secrets of the sea? Here at Pak Shek Yan, the wind carries tales of a Hong Kong far different from the bustling metropolis we know today. Pak Shek Yan itself hasn’t changed much. It stands as a silent observer, a rugged peak reaching 125 meters into the sky. Long before the skyscrapers pierced the clouds and the neon lights painted the night, Pak Shek Yan looked down on a landscape dotted with small fishing villages. The waters below teemed with life, providing sustenance for generations of families who called this coast their home. Pak Shek Yan witnessed the slow creep of progress as a railway snaked its way through the landscape, connecting the villages to the larger world. It felt the tremors as the area, once known as Bao’an, transformed into a bustling town. Then, in 1980, a dramatic shift occurred. Pak Shek Yan watched as Shenzhen, the small border town just south of here, was designated China’s first Special Economic Zone. This marked the beginning of an unprecedented transformation. Investment poured in, factories sprung up, and the population exploded. The once-quiet fishing villages gave way to a sprawling metropolis. Shenzhen, a city fueled by “Shenzhen speed,” became a symbol of China’s economic miracle. Pak Shek Yan, though remaining unchanged itself, provides a stark contrast to the ever-evolving landscape below. It stands as a timeless reminder of the region’s humble beginnings, a place where the whispers of the past mingle with the hum of the modern world. As you stand here, at Pak Shek Yan, breathe in the salty air. Let the wind carry you back to a time of fishing boats and quiet villages, a time before the skyscrapers and the bustling streets. Remember the mountain that whispers secrets of the sea.
Sai Wan Shan
Considering a hike today? Sai Wan Shan is calling us. Sai Wan Shan is a hill within Sai Kung East