1950s Fred Evans' photos | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

1950s Fred Evans' photos

1950s Fred Evans' photos
Date picture taken (may be approximate): 
Thursday, January 1, 1959
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Looking down from Tai Po Rd in a southwesterly direction onto Lai Chi Kok Bay and Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park (Lai Yuen). The Park closed down in 1997. The left side of the bay is today's Mei Foo Sun Chuen which was once the oil terminal of the Standard-Vacuum Oil Co (later Mobil Oil). Stonecutters Island is in the middle of the photo with Hong Kong island in the distance.

One the left along the water's edge must be Lai Wan Road. All buses coming from that road lined with trees must turn right before hitting water in order to get to the park and the beach. In the early 1950s I swan in the beach, in the pool in the park where the water quality was better, and in a "special" pool where the water was more clearer but also cost more. At that T-intersection, I gathered my boyish memory watching - a man lowering his wire-collapsable cage into the water to catch crabs - another man hanging out his fabrics in the sun, - and romantic couples sitting on the grass by the water's edge.

In the bottom left corner is the apartment buildings of Cheung Shan Terrace.

I lived there  1959-60. At the bottom of the hill was the bathing area and beach.

The Kowloon Bus Terminas was at the end of the road.

The Chinese Amusement Park had Opera and acrobatic shows nightly.

In those days I worked  in Queen's Hill, Fanling and Sek Kong at the side of airstrip. We used to drive over Route Twisk

Thanks for the extra information. Here's a map of the places you mentioned. Please can you let us know what army facilities used to be at Fanling and Queen's Hill?

Thanks & regards, David

I would also be interested in finding out more about this place. Not so long ago I got a message from Mark in the UK:

"Hello, I am wondering if you can point me in the right direction.  I'm looking for any information or photos about Queens Hill Camp which used to be in Fanling.  My father was based there in 1955 and is looking for anything he can find about it?  Can you help?  Thanks."

So I sent him back a link I found. I have no idea if it was any use to him.

http://www.fso-tela.gov.hk/lib/locations_details.cfm?Photo_Num=00864

Coordinates on GoogleEarth: 22°30'15.22"N 114° 9'31.33"E

It would be nice if someone could give us some background information and I can point him in the right direction.

Incidentally, but perhaps totally irrelevant, I know that Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park was the venue for performances from the Seven Little Fortunes opera group which included Jackie Chan, Samo Hung, Yuen Biu and Yuen Wah (to name 4 of them).

1930s Lai Chi Kok Bay
1930s Lai Chi Kok Bay, by Moddsey