Wong Kok Tau

Sweeping out into Starling Inlet, Wong Kok Tau stands as a silent sentinel. Wong Kok Tau has witnessed centuries of change, from the whispers of ancient settlers to the bustle of modern life. Wong Kok Tau is the easternmost point of Sha Tau Kok, a town steeped in history. This cape marks not just a geographical extremity, but a cultural boundary as well. A sign stands proudly, displaying Wong Kok Tau’s coordinates. Nearby, a stone tablet bears a poem in flowing red characters: “The sun rises from the beach (Sha Tau), the moon hangs above the cape (Kok).” These words capture the essence of Wong Kok Tau, a place where the celestial dance plays out against a backdrop of timeless beauty. Wong Kok Tau, within the Frontier Closed Area, holds a unique place in Hong Kong’s story. Until recently, access was restricted, preserving the town’s character. Descendants of Hakka farmers and Hoklo fishers, the original inhabitants of Sha Tau Kok, still call this area home. Their ancestors settled here following the Qing dynasty’s “Great Clearance” in the 17th century. Today, Wong Kok Tau is gradually opening to a limited number of visitors, offering a glimpse into a world less touched by time. Though most of Sha Tau Kok is now accessible with a permit, Chung Ying Street, the border with mainland China, remains closed to tourists. This street, once a bustling market and later a notorious smuggling route, serves as a stark reminder of the town’s complex past. As you stand on Wong Kok Tau, imagine the echoes of history: the whispers of Neolithic inhabitants who left behind their stone tools, the bustle of the Tung Wo Market in its heyday, the tensions of the 1967 border clashes. Now, a new chapter is unfolding, as Wong Kok Tau welcomes a new generation of explorers, eager to discover the secrets held within this historic cape.