Ever wondered about a place named for its deep waters? That’s Sham Shui Po, an area of Kowloon. It is in Hong Kong, China. Sham Shui Po means Deep Water Pier in Cantonese.
Today, we explore Sham Shui Po. It is more than just a name. It is a vibrant district. Sham Shui Po sits on the northwestern part of the Kowloon Peninsula. Tai Kok Tsui lies to its south. Cheung Sha Wan is to its east. Shek Kip Mei sits to the south.
Sham Shui Po is known as a lower-income neighborhood. It is one of Hong Kong’s most vibrant and densest areas. Migrants from rural China live here. Working-class families also call it home. Many seniors reside in cage homes. Others live in subdivided flats and public housing estates.
This area has a rich history. In 1955, they discovered the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb. This shows people settled here 2000 years ago. Sham Shui Po’s waters were once deeper than Cheung Sha Wan’s beach. It was close to Tai Kok Tsui peninsula.
In 1911, Sham Shui Po had 1,577 residents. Males numbered 1,028. Yen Chow Street once bordered the town. Tung Chau Street, Wong Chuk Street, and Apliu Street also formed boundaries. Part of Sham Shui Po was on reclaimed land. Villages surrounded the town. A nullah drained rivers to the north.
During the Japanese occupation, a concentration camp stood here. Victor Stanley Ebbage wrote about it in his book. It is titled The Hard Way: Surviving Shamshuipo POW Camp 1941–45.
Sham Shui Po was one of Hong Kong’s earliest developed areas. It was a commercial hub. It also served as an industrial and transportation center. Today, residential buildings cover much of Sham Shui Po. Public housing estates occupy a large area. Factories and warehouses still cluster in Cheung Sha Wan.
Urban renewal projects aim to improve Sham Shui Po. The Hong Kong Housing Society started its first project here. It sought to improve living conditions at Po On Road. Wai Wai Road also saw improvements.
Sham Shui Po boasts a lively street market. Both locals and tourists visit it. Apliu Street market is famous for electronics. Vendors sell various goods at reasonable prices. People trade second-hand items here. You can find industrial electronics. There is also analogue equipment. Find digital radio gear, disco effects, and crockery. You might even spot radios from the 1940s.
Golden Computer Centre is a major mall. It sells computer equipment. People consider it one of Hong Kong’s cheapest places to buy a PC. The annual Hong Kong computer fair draws large crowds to Sham Shui Po’s streets. Ki Lung Street market is known for fresh food. It is also known for cheap prices.
Many fashionwear wholesalers line Cheung Sha Wan Road. Some shops offer retail purchases on weekends. Nam Cheong Street and Ki Lung Street are famous for fabric stores.
Sham Shui Po is becoming a haven for artists. Once, Savannah College of Art and Design was located here. Today, you find art galleries, coffee shops, and design shops.
Phvlo Hatch is a creative space. It supports sustainable fashion. WSNXT promotes women-owned businesses. The Redress Closet fights fast fashion. Parallel Space is an art gallery. White Noise Records is a quirky record store. Form Society is a culture space.
Ng On-yee, a world snooker champion, grew up in Sham Shui Po. She learned the game at her father’s hall.
Sham Shui Po offers a glimpse into Hong Kong’s past. It also shows its vibrant present. From deep water pier to bustling district, its story continues.