Saturday, April 03, 2010

Abandoned Village at Ma Wan (馬灣)

We went to the abandoned Ma Wan Village on Ms Wan Island yesterday. This is the island that make up half the name of the Tsing Ma Bridge (青馬大橋) - because the bridge links the west side of Tsing Yi Island to the east side of Ma Wan Island.

The village itself is on the west side of the island. It is directly opposite from, and truly in the shadow of the Kap Shui Mun Bridge (汲水門大橋), which links the west side of Ma Wa Island to the east side of Lantau Island.

The village was abandoned not because it has become undesirable. In fact, it is the opposite - the location has become too desirable. A big developer has already developed a very nice housing estate on the east side of the island, and a theme park. It has now bought up the whole village and is moving all the villagers to the east side of the island, where it has built a new village for them.

Other than a few families, the village has been completely abandoned. Many houses have been taken over by aggressive banyan trees. Soon, I suppose, the whole village will be obliterated, and another real estate project will take over.

Such is the story of Hong Kong - the old making way for the new. This represents progress for many people. But it is really? And does it have to happen in this manner?




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