Hong Kong history

A surprising amount of Hong Kong's military buildings still exist. Sometimes because they are in out-of-the-way places that noone has thought about redeveloping yet. Sometimes because they are still under the control of the military authorities, and so are out of bound for redevelopment. And a precious few are considered listed buildings, and so are actively protected.

During its time as a British colony, Hong Kong's role as a military base went through several different phases. Read more »

Here's a place to find / add further information related to the above book. Scroll down to see a list of the Routes from the book, click on the one you are interested in. Read more »

Along stage 2 of the Wilson Trail, you'll pass a strange collection of eight low, brick platforms [1]. Each has a concrete top with 8 circular holes – 4 large and 4 medium size. Further on you'll pass a similar single platform, with just two holes cut in the top.

The information board by the single platform suggests they were built in 1938/39 as cooking stoves (the round holes are just the right size right for a wok), as part of a plan to feed the people of Shau Kei Wan in time of war. Photos on the internet refer to them as the 'japanese stoves', suggesting they were built during the Japanese occupation. From what I can find, neither explanation is quite right. Read more »

Monday's walk was one of those 'it's the journey, not the destination' outings. In theory I was going to find the location of pillbox 72, but in any case it was lovely weather, and a good excuse to scramble over some rocks. Read more »