Hong Kong is a city of vertical ambition, where skyscrapers fight for every inch of the sky. But in the shadows of the neon lights and financial hubs lies a parallel world of silence. Scattered across the New Territories and outer islands are relics of a different era—ghost towns, military ruins, and decaying schools that offer a hauntingly beautiful contrast to the city’s frantic pace.
For urban explorers (urbex) and photographers, these sites provide a raw glimpse into the territory’s complex history. Here are the top 5 abandoned places in Hong Kong you can still explore today.
1. Ma Wan Ghost Town (Main Street Village)
Once a thriving fishing community with over 250 years of history, the Ma Wan Main Street Village is perhaps Hong Kong’s most famous “ghost town.” When the Tsing Ma Bridge was built in the late 90s, the village was cleared to make way for the luxury Park Island development and Noah’s Ark theme park.
Today, the village sits in a state of suspended animation. You can walk through narrow alleys lined with stilt houses (pang uk), abandoned restaurants with menus still on the walls, and a defunct rural school.
- Why it’s unique: It offers a stark visual of the “old” Hong Kong sitting directly beneath the shadow of one of the world’s most modern suspension bridges.
- Accessibility: Take a ferry from Central Pier 2 or a bus from Tsing Yi MTR. The village is legally accessible to walk through, though individual buildings are often boarded up.
2. Mount Davis Battery
Located on the westernmost hill of Hong Kong Island, Mount Davis serves as a grim reminder of World War II. Built in the early 20th century, it was the headquarters of the Western Fire Command. During the Japanese invasion in 1941, it was heavily bombarded before the British military destroyed the equipment to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.
The site is now a labyrinth of overgrown ruins, including five gun emplacements, ammunition stores, and soldiers’ quarters.
- Why it’s unique: It is one of the few places where nature has almost entirely reclaimed heavy military fortifications. The “white walls” of the command center are a favorite for local photographers.
- Accessibility: An easy hike from Kennedy Town MTR. Follow the paved Mount Davis Road to the top. It is an open heritage site.
3. Tat Tak School (Ping Shan)
Known as the most haunted location in Hong Kong, Tat Tak School in Yuen Long has been abandoned since 1998. The U-shaped building is steeped in chilling urban legends, ranging from a suicidal teacher in a red dress to stories of massacres during the 1899 resistance against British rule.
While the school gate is typically locked and guarded by security due to its fragile state and “haunted” reputation, the surrounding graves and the exterior architecture provide a heavy, atmospheric experience for those interested in the darker side of Hong Kong’s history.
- Why it’s unique: It represents the decline of village education as urban centers expanded, wrapped in layers of local folklore.
- Accessibility: Near the Ping Shan Heritage Trail. Take the Light Rail to Hang Mei Tsuen. Note: Entering the building itself is considered trespassing.
4. Nam Sang Wai Abandoned Huts
Nam Sang Wai is a tranquil wetland area north of Yuen Long, famous for its eucalyptus-lined paths and ferry crossings. While much of it is a scenic escape, it houses several abandoned stone huts and a decaying farmhouse that have become iconic “urbex lite” spots.
The area is under significant threat from high-rise development, making this a “visit while you can” location. The rusting shells of old fish farm buildings reflect beautifully in the surrounding ponds.
- Why it’s unique: It offers a rare horizontal perspective of Hong Kong—vast wetlands and low-slung ruins instead of vertical concrete.
- Accessibility: Take the MTR to Yuen Long, then catch the small wooden “sampan” ferry from Shan Pui Village.
5. Lai Chi Wo (The “Village of the Lost”)
While Lai Chi Wo is currently undergoing a massive revitalisation project, it spent decades as a nearly abandoned Hakka settlement. Situated in the remote northeast of the New Territories, this 300-year-old village was once home to over 1,000 people before mass migration to the UK in the 60s and 70s left it largely deserted.
Walking through the “three vertical, nine horizontal” grid of houses, you can still find several derelict structures where the jungle is growing through the roofs. However, modern eco-tourism has brought “Story Rooms” and small cafes to parts of the village, making it a “living” abandoned site.
- Why it’s unique: It is the best-preserved Hakka walled village in Hong Kong, featuring ancient “Fung Shui” woodlands and ritual gates.
- Accessibility: On Sundays and public holidays, take a ferry from Ma Liu Shui (near University MTR). On other days, it requires a strenuous 2.5-hour hike from Wu Kau Tang.
Exploration Comparison Table
| Site | Location | Primary Appeal | Difficulty | Legal Status |
| Ma Wan Village | Ma Wan Island | Ghost town/Stilt houses | Easy | Open Public Area |
| Mount Davis | HK Island (West) | WWII History/Ruins | Moderate | Heritage Site |
| Tat Tak School | Yuen Long | Horror/Folklore | Easy | View from exterior only |
| Nam Sang Wai | Yuen Long | Nature/Decaying huts | Easy | Public Park/Private land |
| Lai Chi Wo | NE New Territories | Hakka Heritage/Ghost village | Hard | Geopark/Revitalised |
Crucial Safety and Ethical Guidelines
Urban exploration in Hong Kong requires a balance of curiosity and respect.
- Take Nothing but Pictures: Do not remove artifacts or vandalize walls.
- Safety First: Abandoned structures in Hong Kong are often structurally unsound due to high humidity and termite damage. Watch for “hollow” floors.
- Respect Privacy: Some “abandoned” villages still have one or two elderly residents. Be quiet and do not enter homes that clearly have signs of life (e.g., incense burning or fresh laundry).
- The Legal Line: Hong Kong has strict trespassing laws (Cap. 228 Summary Offences Ordinance). If a site is fenced and signed, do not attempt to force entry. Most of the beauty can be seen from the perimeter.
By exploring these five locations, you aren’t just looking at old buildings—you are witnessing the physical layers of Hong Kong’s evolution from a cluster of fishing villages and military outposts into a global metropolis.
