structure on top of lion rock | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

structure on top of lion rock

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Submitted by wann on Tue, 2013-11-26 09:33

i noticed several structures built on top of lion rock. some with a top of a dome like our space museum, and there are also some circular metallic objects dangling around. there are air conditioners so i suspect they're staffed. i'd like to know the proper names, functions and the department they belong to.

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Submitted by tngan on Tue, 2013-11-26 10:15.

Hi there,

I could not recall there are anything that big on top of the Lion Rock anywhere.  Could you provide any photos of the mentioned structures?  Or, do you mean the hills/ridges either east or west of the Lion Rock?

Thanks & Best Regards,

T

Submitted by moddsey on Tue, 2013-11-26 12:55.
Probably you mean the weather radar dome of HKO and beat radio system of HKP at Tate's Cairn

Submitted by wann on Tue, 2013-11-26 18:09.

structure on top of lion rock

Submitted by philk on Tue, 2013-11-26 18:58.

Looks more like the larger of the two radar domes on Beacon Hill.

Submitted by tngan on Tue, 2013-11-26 23:05.

Hi there,

Is it a recent photo?  Considering the proximity of the two buildings, it is likely Tate's Cairn.  I wonder what is the line of site.  Could you take a wide angle photo of this as well, showing the whole ridgeline and mark the location with an arror or a circle?

Thanks & Advange.

T

Submitted by moddsey on Wed, 2013-11-27 07:14.

This site indicates that it is the Beacon Hill Radar Station. Looks a good match.

Submitted by wann on Wed, 2013-11-27 09:41.

the photo was taken only a few days ago from my home in perth garden on dunbar street. from my window i can spot two sets of similiar structure like this, and this is the nearer one. it was the result of long range photography. i will later upload a wider shot of the area. my google search has revealed a similar structure on tai mo shan (could be the distant one i guess), and they are categorically referred to as central forecasting offices. as i could spot air conditioners there i would assume these offices are also staffed. i wonder how many people work there and if they also welcome visitors...

Submitted by tngan on Wed, 2013-11-27 09:53.

Hi there,

If you see two sets of such radar stations one set behind the other toward a North-West line of site, then your photo probably showed those atop Beacon Hill, as mentioned by fellow reader Moddesy.  It is a bit west of the Lion Rock peak though.

Thanks & Best Regards,

T

Submitted by philk on Wed, 2013-11-27 15:10.

Of the two 'globes' on Beacon Hill, the one you have a picture of is just listed as "Radar Station" on the Govt Geomap. The other one, which sits atop a metal tower, is listed as "Civil Aviation Department Beacon Hill Assr Station". You can actually walk to both via Lung Yan Road, or the Maclehose Trail stage 5.

I've been up there a couple of times but always had the impression they weren't manned with any personnel.

Submitted by wann on Wed, 2013-11-27 16:49.

structure on top of lion rock
heres a wider shot.

Submitted by philk on Wed, 2013-11-27 16:54.

Yes, most definitely Beacon Hill and not Lion Rock. The one on the tower on the left is the Civil Aviation Dept beacon. Perhaps the plane spotters on the board can confirm whether or not this was the homing beacon planes used when coming into Kai Tak?

Submitted by moddsey on Wed, 2013-11-27 17:13.
The radar dome on the tower is in use whilst the other one on the right on the ridge line has been decommissioned. As I understand radio and radar sites are not normally manned.

Submitted by philk on Wed, 2013-11-27 17:17.

thanks Moddsey. I did wonder about the larger one that was the initial enquiry because when viewed from Shatin-side (i.e. from the north) you can see one of the triangualr panels is missing leaving a big hole in the roof!

The C.A.D dome has a sign o the main gate warning of radiation exposure, so I guess that would preempt it being a manned facility - though doesn't seem to bother the resident monkeys...

Submitted by wann on Wed, 2013-11-27 20:44.

wonder if the area  is out of bounds to the public, or is there anything worth seeing? if the dome is not manned, does it mean all the info will be relayed to HKO (in tst) automatically? how many similar devices are there in HK? are they all over the hills?

Submitted by moddsey on Wed, 2013-11-27 21:22.

As previous correspondents have indicated, the structures are on top of Beacon Hill!

Submitted by wann on Thu, 2013-11-28 12:24.

what's the main purpose of the CAD structure now that the airports moved? wonder if anyone can post a photo showing the front and the name of the structure, or any notices therein.

(i can't see clearly from my home)

Submitted by Admin on Thu, 2013-11-28 12:58.

Hi Wann,

You're probably going to get a better response from other readers if you'll use the correct names.

The photos you have posted show Beacon Hill.

Lion Rock, a bit further to the east along the ridge, has no large structures on that I am aware of.

Regards, David