Hong Kong is known for its skyscrapers, shopping malls, and nightlife, but did you know that it also has a hidden gem of history and culture? Kowloon Walled City Park is a former urban slum that was demolished and redeveloped into a stunning garden that preserves the legacy of the walled city. In this article, we will explore the origins and evolution of the walled city, the design and layout of the park, the attractions and activities of the park, and the significance and charm of the park. Whether you are a history buff, a nature lover, or a curious traveler, you will find something to enjoy and appreciate in this unique and fascinating attraction.
The History of Kowloon Walled City
The story of Kowloon Walled City begins in the 19th century, when the Qing dynasty built a military outpost on the site to defend against the British colonial forces. The outpost was surrounded by a stone wall, hence the name “walled city”. After the Opium Wars, the British gained control of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula, but the walled city remained under Chinese sovereignty. This created a legal and political ambiguity that would shape the fate of the walled city for the next century.
During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in World War II, the walled city was occupied and the wall was demolished. After the war, the walled city became a refuge for thousands of Chinese migrants who fled from the civil war and the communist regime. The population of the walled city grew rapidly, reaching over 30,000 people in an area of 2.6 hectares. The walled city became a notorious urban slum, notorious for its high density, poor sanitation, crime, and illegal activities. The walled city was largely ungoverned by the British or the Chinese authorities, and was run by the residents themselves, with the help of the Triads, the local gangs.
Despite the harsh living conditions, the walled city also developed a vibrant and resilient culture, with a diversity of ethnicities, religions, and languages. The walled city was a self-contained community, with its own schools, shops, temples, factories, and services. The residents of the walled city adapted to their environment, creating ingenious solutions for water, electricity, ventilation, and fire safety. The walled city was also a source of inspiration and creativity, attracting artists, filmmakers, writers, and photographers who documented and portrayed the life of the walled city.
In 1984, the British and Chinese governments signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which agreed on the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong to China in 1997. As part of the agreement, the walled city was to be cleared and demolished, and the residents were to be relocated and compensated. The demolition of the walled city began in 1993 and was completed in 1994. The site of the walled city was then redeveloped into a park, with the cooperation and consultation of the Hong Kong and Chinese governments, and the former residents and stakeholders of the walled city.
The Design and Layout of Kowloon Walled City Park
The design and layout of Kowloon Walled City Park reflects the history and culture of the walled city, while also creating a green and tranquil oasis in the urban landscape. The park covers an area of 3.1 hectares, slightly larger than the original walled city. The park is designed in the style of a Jiangnan garden, a traditional Chinese garden style that originated in the south of the Yangtze River. The park features pavilions, ponds, bridges, rocks, and plants that create a harmonious and elegant atmosphere.
The park is divided into four main zones, each with its own theme and character. The zones are:
The Chess Garden: This zone is located at the entrance of the park, and represents the leisure and entertainment aspect of the walled city. The zone features a giant chess board, a bamboo grove, and a sculpture of two Chinese chess pieces.
The Mountain View Pavilion: This zone is located at the highest point of the park, and offers a panoramic view of the park and the surrounding cityscape. The zone features a hexagonal pavilion, a waterfall, and a rockery.
The Garden of Four Seasons: This zone is located at the center of the park, and represents the natural and ecological aspect of the walled city. The zone features four gardens, each corresponding to a season and a color. The gardens are: the Spring Garden (pink), the Summer Garden (red), the Autumn Garden (yellow), and the Winter Garden (white). The gardens showcase a variety of flowers, plants, and trees that bloom and change throughout the year.
The Yamen: This zone is located at the south of the park, and represents the historical and cultural aspect of the walled city. The zone features the Yamen, the former administrative office of the Qing dynasty, which is the only remaining original building of the walled city. The Yamen houses a museum, an exhibition hall, and a courtyard.
The park also preserves and incorporates some of the historical and cultural elements of the walled city, such as the Old South Gate, the remnants of the stone wall, the A City of Thousand Faces exhibition, and the Six Arts Terrace. These elements provide a glimpse into the past and present of the walled city, and pay tribute to its legacy and memory.
The Attractions and Activities of Kowloon Walled City Park
Kowloon Walled City Park offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages and interests. Here are some of the highlights of the park:
The Yamen:
The Yamen is the main attraction of the park, and a must-see for history lovers. The Yamen was built in 1847, and served as the administrative office of the Qing dynasty. The Yamen consists of three halls and two courtyards, and displays the architectural style and features of the Qing period. The Yamen houses a museum, which exhibits the history and culture of the walled city, with photos, models, artifacts, and videos. The Yamen also hosts an exhibition hall, which showcases the works and stories of the artists, filmmakers, writers, and photographers who were inspired by the walled city. The Yamen is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and admission is free.
The Eight Floral Walks:
The Eight Floral Walks are eight paths that connect the four zones of the park, and are named after eight flowers that are native to Hong Kong. The Eight Floral Walks are: the Bauhinia Walk, the Orchid Walk, the Plum Blossom Walk, the Lotus Walk, the Azalea Walk, the Camellia Walk, the Osmanthus Walk, and the Chrysanthemum Walk. The Eight Floral Walks offer a scenic and relaxing stroll through the park, and allow visitors to enjoy the beauty and fragrance of the flowers and plants along the way.
The A City of Thousand Faces exhibition:
The A City of Thousand Faces exhibition is a collection of portraits of the former residents of the walled city, taken by the photographer Greg Girard. The exhibition is located at the Six Arts Terrace, a platform that displays the six arts of ancient China: music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and archery. The exhibition captures the faces and expressions of the people who lived in the walled city, and reveals their stories and emotions. The exhibition is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and admission is free.
The Six Arts Terrace:
The Six Arts Terrace is a platform that displays the six arts of ancient China: music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and archery. The Six Arts Terrace is located at the north of the park, and is surrounded by a bamboo fence. The Six Arts Terrace offers a space for visitors to appreciate and practice the six arts, and to experience the cultural and artistic heritage of China. The Six Arts Terrace also hosts regular events and workshops, such as music performances, chess tournaments, calligraphy demonstrations, painting classes, poetry readings, and archery lessons. The Six Arts Terrace is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and admission is free.
The Significance and Charm of Kowloon Walled City Park
Kowloon Walled City Park is more than just a park, it is a symbol of the history and culture of Hong Kong. The park preserves and commemorates the legacy and memory of the walled city, which was a unique and remarkable phenomenon in the urban development of Hong Kong. The park also showcases the diversity and resilience of the people who lived in the walled city, who created a community and a culture out of adversity and chaos. The park also provides a contrast and a balance to the modern and hectic cityscape of Hong Kong, offering a green and tranquil oasis for visitors to enjoy and explore.
If you are looking for a hidden gem of history and culture in Hong Kong, you should definitely visit Kowloon Walled City Park. You will be amazed and inspired by the stories and sights of the park, and you will discover a different and fascinating side of Hong Kong. Kowloon Walled City Park is open from 6:30 am to 11:00 pm, and admission is free.
The park is easily accessible by public transport, and is close to other attractions such as the Kowloon City Plaza, the Sung Wong Toi Garden, and the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. You can also find many local restaurants and shops in the Kowloon City district, where you can taste the authentic and delicious cuisines of Hong Kong, such as dim sum, wonton noodles, and egg tarts.
Kowloon Walled City Park is a hidden gem of history and culture in Hong Kong, and a place that you should not miss. Whether you want to learn about the past, enjoy the present, or imagine the future, you will find something to suit your interest and curiosity in this park. Kowloon Walled City Park is a park that tells a story, a story of a city, a story of a people, and a story of a world.
Come and discover this story for yourself, and you will be rewarded with a memorable and meaningful experience.
