Hong Kong Hoi Sham Park

Hong Kong Hoi Sham Park

Hoi Sham Park (English: Hoi Sham Park) is a park located on Lok Shan Road, To Kwa Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It was officially opened in 1972 and features facilities such as Hoi Sham Pavilion, two football pitches, and a children’s playground.

The original site of Hoi Sham Park was a small island in the sea—Hoi Sham Island. There used to be a Hoi Sham Temple on the site. Going even further back in ancient times, it was called “To Kwa Wan Island,” and the name To Kwa Wan actually originates from this. At that time, many Hakka people came to Hong Kong, so most of the walled villages in Hong Kong were Hakka villages, while the remaining local villages were called To villages, hence the name To villages, and thus To Kwa Wan was also referred to as “To villages” and “To Bay.” The island was surrounded by rugged rocks, among which the Fish Tail Rock was the most vividly shaped. Originally, there was a Dragon Mother Altar on the island, and in the past, worshippers were mostly fishermen and people living on the water. Aside from worshippers, the Hoi Sham Temple was also a famous tourist attraction in Kowloon City, and the Fish Tail Rock on the island was a well-known scenic spot. Before land reclamation, small boats were often stationed on the opposite shore to transport tourists back and forth. In 1964, land reclamation was carried out in To Kwa Wan, and Hoi Sham Island has since been connected to the mainland. The Dragon Mother Altar was also relocated next to the Tin Hau Temple on Ha Heung Road for continued worship by devotees.

Between 1962 and 1970, the Hong Kong government carried out large-scale land reclamation along the coast of To Kwa Wan, during which the Hoi Sham Temple was moved to its current location. In 1972, after the reclamation project was completed, funding was approved by the Royal decree to build Hoi Sham Park. The original Fish Tail Rock, Hoi Sham Stone (located at 114 degrees 11 minutes 31.55 seconds east longitude, 22 degrees 18 minutes 53.32 seconds north latitude), and much of the natural landscape were preserved. The park was also planted with numerous trees, and a couplet on the pillars of Hoi Sham Pavilion reads: “Hoi Sham Pavilion carries the charm of West Lake, Fish Tail Rock embodies the spirit of this blessed land.” It is said that couples who worship the Hoi Sham Stone will have a beautiful romance, so the park is often visited by couples seeking a quiet moment together.

Transportation Guide

Location: Lok Shan Road, To Kwa Wan, Kowloon City, Hong Kong

How to get there: Take Kowloon minibuses Route 26 and alight at Zhejiang Street, To Kwa Wan, then walk to the park