Perhaps the name “Yau Tong” meaning “oil pond” in Cantonese, sounds unassuming. Yet, this area in southeastern Kowloon holds a rich history. It has transformed from a remote bay to a vibrant district.
Yau Tong was once known as “游塘” a homophone that simply meant “pond”. The English transliteration was first recorded in 1924. It appeared on a map on Devil’s Peak.
Before 1940, Yau Tong remained largely undeveloped. It was considered a rural area. The 1950s marked a turning point. An oil depot was built in Cha Kwo Ling, north of Yau Tong.
In the late 1950s to early 1960s, the Hong Kong Government initiated a significant reclamation project. This happened in Kwun Tong, near Yau Tong. The aim was to create new industrial sites and living spaces. Further southeast, Yau Tong Bay was also known as Kwun Tong Tsai Wan. Until the early 1950s, it was sparsely populated.
In 1958, reclamation work began in Yau Tong Bay. The Public Works Department planned to smooth the coastline. This new land would accommodate shipbuilding and sawmills. The reclaimed land was divided into Kwun Tong Marine Lots.
Filling material came from the surrounding hills. This created areas for housing estates. Yau Tong Estate was the first resettlement estate. It comprised 26 blocks built in 1964, 1965, and 1971. Ko Chiu Road Estate followed. It consisted of 11 blocks, built between 1971 and 1973.
The eastern side of the reclaimed area was occupied by sawmills. Bonanza saw-mill was one of them. Companies for building and repairing ships occupied the marine lots. Goltens Ship Repair and Chung Wah Shipbuilding were on the northern side. Universal Dockyard and Yau Wing Shipyard were on the southeastern side.
In 1989, the Hong Kong Government proposed further reclamation of Yau Tong Bay. This aimed to eliminate pollution-causing factories. Plans to restructure Yau Tong Bay continued in the 1990s. A 22-hectare area for residences and commerce would be developed. This included 12.5 hectares of reclaimed land.
However, progress was slow. Some companies refused to sell their property. The sawmills closed around the year 2000. Strong public protests against further reclamation of Victoria Harbour led to the plan being dropped.
Major developments occurred inland. The MTR Yau Tong Station opened in 2002. It serves the Kwun Tong line and the Tseung Kwan O line. Yau Tong Estate was demolished in the late 1990s for this. It was partly rebuilt on a smaller area.
Plans to convert the former industrial area into housing estates still exist. However, progress is slow. The area is fenced off. Nearly all buildings have been demolished. Grass grows on the marine lots.
Today, Yau Tong stands as a testament to Hong Kong’s ever-changing landscape. It blends industrial history with residential life. Future developments promise further transformation. Yau Tong continues to evolve. It balances progress with preserving its unique identity.