“Origin of small river” is what Siu Yuen Chau means in Chinese. Let’s explore this area in Sha Tin District. Siu Yuen Chau is located east of Yuen Chau Kok. Ma On Shan Country Park surrounds it on three sides. Today, it is primarily a residential area.
Siu Yuen Chau sits on a hill on the east side of the Shing Mun River. Unlike much of Sha Tin New Town, its land wasn’t reclaimed. It was once a ford of Tide Cove. This cove was later reclaimed for Sha Tin New Town’s development. Only Siu Lek Yuen Nullah, a small channel of the Shing Mun River, remains.
Siu Yuen Chau was one of Sha Tin’s nine districts. It was known as Siu Lek Yuen District. Fourteen Hakka villages once stood here. The development of Sha Tin New Town brought significant changes. Public and private housing estates and factories were constructed.
In 1911, Siu Lek Yuen Village had a population of 174. There were 73 males. Siu Lek Yuen Village is a recognized village under the New Territories Small House Policy.
Kwong Yuen Estate is a large public housing estate in Siu Lek Yuen’s center. It includes six blocks. Kwong Lam Court and Hong Lam Court are Home Ownership Scheme courts within Kwong Yuen Estate. Two Hong Lam Court blocks serve as Government Quarters. Castello is a private housing estate north of Kwong Yuen Estate.
Several educational institutions are located here. Hang Seng University of Hong Kong lies southwest of Siu Lek Yuen. Stewards Pooi Kei College is also present. Additionally, you will find Shatin Methodist Primary School. LKWFSL Wong Yiu Nam Primary School is here too.
For shopping, visit Kwong Yuen Shopping Centre. Siu Lek Yuen Industrial Area hosts various businesses. Swire Coca-Cola HK Limited and Goldlion Far East Limited are among them.
Other facilities include Kwong Yuen Estate Market. The Kwong Yuen Community Centre is also available. A fire station serves the community.
Transportation is convenient. The north entrance of Tate’s Cairn Tunnel lies south of Siu Lek Yuen. This tunnel simplifies travel to East Kowloon. Kwong Yuen Bus Terminus and Wong Nai Tau Public Transport Interchange provide bus services. City One MTR station and Shek Mun MTR station are a 15–20 minute walk away.
Due to decreased demand for industrial land, the government plans to redevelop the Siu Lek Yuen Industrial Area, with plans to convert factories into offices and to construct Hotels.