Right here on the south shore of Lantau Island stands a silent sentinel. This is the South Lantau Obelisk. It marks a boundary steeped in history.
Let’s step back in time to 1902. Imagine Lieutenant-Commander F.M. Leake and his officers from H.M.S. Bramble. They were tasked with a crucial job. They had to mark the sea boundary between Hong Kong and China. This was before 1997. Lantau Island was then “borrowed” by the British from China in 1898 under “The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory”.
The South Lantau Obelisk before you and its twin on Lantau’s north shore aren’t just ordinary stones. They are granite markers, precisely placed. Each stands on a stone base. Look closely. You will see an inscription carved into the stone. It states the longitude as 113°52’0″. The text also credits Lieutenant-Commander Leake and his crew.
The opposite face bears the same message in Chinese. The South Lantau Obelisk text differs slightly from its northern counterpart. It reads that the boundary follows the western shore of Lantau Island. It goes until it meets a similar stone on the north side. The boundary extends to the parallel of 22°9’0″.
Notice that the South Lantau Obelisk sits 200 feet above the high water mark. This placement was intentional. It was to protect it from the sea’s potential encroachment.
Lantau Island itself has a rich past. Previously known as Tai Hai Shan, it is Hong Kong’s largest island. It was once sparsely populated. Religious bodies established retreat centers here. Tea gardens, cattle houses, and even tungsten mines dotted the landscape. Rice fields flourished.
Today, Lantau has transformed. Salt pans are now mangroves. Farming tools lie unused. Many village houses stand abandoned. Yet, the South Lantau Obelisk remains. It is a constant reminder of a pivotal moment in history. It marks not just a geographical boundary. It represents a complex relationship between two cultures.
As you stand here, consider the hands that shaped this stone. Think of the naval officers who carefully positioned it. Reflect on the island’s ever-changing landscape. The South Lantau Obelisk is more than just a marker. It is a symbol of time, change, and enduring history.