Feel the sea breeze on your face. Before you stands the Rock Carving on Tung Lung Chau a monumental piece of Hong Kong’s history.
This isn’t just any carving. It’s the oldest recorded rock carving in Hong Kong. Imagine the hands that shaped this dragon. The Xinan Gazetteer from 1819 mentions it. The inscription depicts a dragon. It’s huge too 1.8 meters by 2.4 meters. The largest ever found in Hong Kong.
The Rock Carving on Tung Lung Chau wasn’t always celebrated. It wasn’t declared a monument until 1979. Before that it stood unnoticed. A silent testament to a time long past.
Think of the lives that unfolded near this carving. Fishermen sailing by. Perhaps even Emperor Duanzong of the Southern Song dynasty. He supposedly stayed at Kwu Tap on the island. This rock bears witness to centuries. It witnessed the construction of Tung Lung Fort 300 years ago. It saw the island’s name change. From Nam Tong Island to Tung Lung Chau.
Picture the ancient artists. Their tools rough stone and determination. They carved this dragon. A symbol of power and maybe even hope. The carving has endured weathering. It’s still here today a powerful image. A lasting legacy. A silent story.
This Rock Carving on Tung Lung Chau tells a story. It’s a story of Hong Kong. A story of resilience. Of time’s passage. A story waiting to be discovered. It’s a story etched in stone. A story whispered on the wind. A story you now share.