Air-raid shelters under Kowloon Park

If you take a walk with a copy of the above Google Map, there is still some clear evidence of the tunnels to be seen. I started at Austin Road, by the entrance to the park. You'll see that originally portals 5,6,7, and 8 were near here. I guess the road has been widened since the tunnels were built, so the original entrances are no longer there. However you'll see a large iron door set into the park wall. 

From its position slightly west of Woosung Street, I guess this fronts the tunnel that originally connected to portal 5. The air blowing out through the doorway was warm and humid, with condensation dripping off it. Here is the view through the grill.

I could not see any sign of portal 9, which isn't surprising. There must have been a lot of excavation here when the HK Scout centre and Victoria Towers were built, hiding any trace of the tunnel. Portals 10 and 11 are nearest to their original condition, as shown by the photos above. Portal 12 is set just back from Canton Road, behind an electrical substation. The original entrance has been replaced, now has large, padlocked double-doors.

Portals 13 and 14 disappeared in the 1970's, when Kowloon Park Drive was built. The excavations for that work moved the hillside back from it's original location. However, I think you can still see where one of those portals' tunnels lies. Near the Northern end of Kowloon Park Drive is a pedestrian crossing. If stand at the pedestrian crossing, but look back to the wall, you'll see a metal ventilation plate set about one meter up from the ground. The time I walked passed this there was cool air blowing out of it, so it probably connects to the tunnel that led to portal 14.

Walk a little further South along Kowloon Park Drive and turn left up some steps to enter the park. The two markers on the map that are inside the park show the location of the two ventilation shafts that lead down into the tunnels. The Southern shaft is still clear to see - in fact I'm surprised I'd never noticed it before. I believe that the Northern shaft was covered by the Kowloon Park Sports Hall.

To find the Southern shaft, walk to the Discovery Playground (you'll see it marked on the park maps). Stand at the gateway on the East side of the playground, with the 'castle' turret behind you. In front at your 2 o'clock you'll see the park's totem pole. Then at your 11 o'clock you'll see a small stand of bamboo plants, surrounding a low concrete wall. That is the top of the shaft.

It is covered by a large iron grill:

But you can look down the shaft, and see the rungs forming a ladder down one side. The shaft is approximately two meters in diameter.

Moddsey, well spotted - it does look like a section of the tunnel. This time of year when the vegetation has been cut / died / burned off is a good time to see new things.

Thanks for all the photos you've been posting too.

MrB

I walked up Scout path today, and the gate in the fence was open for some construction workers who were putting up signs. I walked in and over to the possible portal, and managed to take these photos before being asked to leave.

It's not a portal, but it's a strange little structure. The top is domed concrete, and if you look inside you can see the bricks were laid in a kind of dome too. There are a few porcelain gods on the floor, so I don't know if it was always a shrine, or if they are just recent.

I'd assumed this slope is relatively new, as part of the development of the Victoria Towers or the HK Scout Centre. This structure looks old though, so maybe the slope is too.

I haven't heard of any access. Pity, as it would be an interesting one to see inside.