Guide in “Ruins”
Since 1968, Hong Kong government has started large-scale reconstruction plans. As a result, lots of stuffs that grown up with the district had been facing the danger of disappearance. More and more Hong Kong people begin to observe this city where they live carefully. When the dozers took down the buildings, some warm-hearted people became the guide to the old districts, trying to remain some memory for this ever-changing place.
Yuan Chi Yan, Founder of “Kwun Tong, Hong Kong”
“Kwun Tong, Hong Kong”(http://kwuntong.wordpress.com/) is founded by Yuen Chi Yan and some other people who care about Kwun Tong old district. Their guiding tour in Kwun Tong started since 2006 but every tour can bring him something new. “I remember once chatting with an owner of a Mahjong house, I did not know until he introduced a new kind of smoking gun to me.” When talking about guiding tours, he said: “The meaning of it is not about letting people understand the old district, but the interaction between the visitors and people live there.”
After clearence for reconstruction, some neighbours paint on the wall where they used to set kiosks. (Photoed in Mut Wah Street, Kwun Tong )
In Hong Kong Island, there is also a story between people and their old home. Hong Kong House of Stories(http://houseofstories.sjs.org.hk/) had tours since 2006. Christina, their person in charge, told that they want to preserve the old stuffs by guiding tours. “There used to be lots of theatres in Wanchai, divided into many kinds, most of which have been closed now.” Christina said one on the most impressive tour is about ghost stories in Wanchai. “Like Southorn Playground, the haunted rumors resulted from its history of being the shooting range during World War Two. We hope citizens can understand different stories about the places around them.”
Christina felt sorry that lots of old theatres had been gone.
The collection of Christina, drawn by neighbours and full of their reminiscence.
The tour about ghost stories in Wanchai. Guides took visitors through the “huanted” places at night. (Offered by Christina)
For the time being, government had no funds for the folk guiding tour activities. Both Yuen Chi Yan and Christina expressed their insistence despite the lack of support. With the increasing of the speed of our pace, maybe few of the things in old districts can be reserved. However, these guides can never be more willing to spare their time for people wanting to know their city. Stuffs may not stay forever, but forever can be much an easier word to memory.
Sham Shui Po District, another old district facing reconstruction.
The Urban Renewal Authority pointed out that the old buildings in Sham Shui Po can be dangerous due to the unauthorized building works in balconys.
Un Chau Street in Sham Shui Po. The reconstruction plan here involves 160 families and 29 shops.
Infographic—From light to deep colour, shows more and more reconstruction plan in the area. (http://www.ura.org.hk/tc/projects/redevelopment.aspx)
