Kowloon Walled City

Kowloon Walled City
An aerial view of the Kowloon Walled City in 1989
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Jiǔlóng Chéng Zhài Hakka Romanization Giu3lung2 Sang2 Cai4 Yue: Cantonese Jyutping gau2 lung4 seng4 zaai6
Original name
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Jiǔlóng Zhài Chéng Hakka Romanization Giu3lung2 Cai4 Sang2 Yue: Cantonese Jyutping gau2 lung4 zaai6 seng4

External media

Images
Cross-section drawing of the City
What's Left of the Kowloon Walled City (UrbanPhoto)
Old and rare external shots of the City (blog post)
Video
Video clip of the City (Japanese)

Kowloon Walled City was a largely-ungoverned densely-populated settlement in Kowloon City in Hong Kong. Originally a Chinese military fort, the Walled City became an enclave after the New Territories were leased to Britain by China in 1898. Its population increased dramatically following the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. By 1987, the Walled City contained 33,000 residents within its 2.6-hectare (6.4-acre) borders. From the 1950s to the 1970s, it was controlled by local triads and had high rates of prostitution, gambling and drug abuse.

In January 1987, the Hong Kong government announced plans to demolish the Walled City. After an arduous eviction process, demolition began in March 1993 and was completed in April 1994. Kowloon Walled City Park opened in December 1995 and occupies the area of the former Walled City. Some historical artefacts from the Walled City, including its yamen building and remnants of its South Gate, have been preserved there.

The history of the Walled City can be traced back to the Song Dynasty (960–1279), when an outpost was set up to manage the trade of salt. Little took place for hundreds of years afterward, although 30 guards were stationed there in 1668. A small coastal fort was established around 1810. In 1842, during Qing Emperor Daoguang's reign, Hong Kong Island was ceded to Britain by the Treaty of Nanjing. As a result, the Qing authorities felt it necessary to improve the fort in order to rule the area and check further British influence. The improvements, including the formidable defensive wall, were completed in 1847. The Walled City was captured by rebels during the Taiping Rebellion in 1854 before being retaken a few weeks later. The present Walled City's "Dapeng Association House" forms the remnants of what was previously Lai Enjue's garrison.