Kowloon Walled City facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kowloon Walled City
Walled city
An aerial view of the Kowloon Walled City in 1989
Kowloon Walled City Location in Hong Kong
Country/City	Hong Kong
District	Kowloon City District
Area	Kowloon City
Settled	c. 1945
Demolished	1994
Government
• Type	Ungoverned
Area
• Total	2.6 ha (6.4 acre)
Population  (1990)
• Total	50,000
• Density	1,255,000/km2 (3,250,000/sq mi)

The Kowloon Walled City was a very crowded place in Kowloon City, Hong Kong. It was mostly left alone by the government.

It started as a Chinese military fort. In 1898, China leased the New Territories to the UK. The Walled City became part of this leased land.

After Japan gave up in 1945, China wanted the Walled City back. Many people fleeing the Chinese Civil War came to Hong Kong. By 1947, about 2,000 people had moved into the Walled City. The British tried to remove them in 1948 but failed. After that, they mostly let the Walled City manage itself.

Its population grew a lot after World War II. By 1990, about 50,000 people lived in this small area, which was only about 2.6 hectares (6.4 acres).

Life in the Walled City

Life inside the Walled City was unique. Many small factories and businesses operated there. Residents often formed groups to help improve their daily lives.

The rooftops were very important gathering places. People who lived on higher floors used them often. Parents would relax there, and children would play or do homework after school.

Over time, charities and religious groups started helping people in the city. There were medical clinics and schools, but they were not regulated by the government. However, the Hong Kong government did provide some services. These included water supply and mail delivery.

The Walled City was located in what is now the Kowloon City area of Kowloon.

Demolition and New Park

In January 1987, the Hong Kong government announced plans to tear down the Walled City. The demolition started in March 1993 and finished in April 1994.

Today, the Kowloon Walled City Park stands where the Walled City once was. It opened in December 1995. Some historical items from the Walled City are kept there.

The park is designed like Jiangnan gardens from the early Qing Dynasty. It has eight different areas. The main building, called the yamen, has been fully restored. The paths and pavilions in the park are named after streets and buildings from the old Walled City.

“Kowloon Walled City” arcade

A Walled City Recreation

You can find a partial copy of the Kowloon Walled City in Japan. It's in an amusement arcade called Anata No Warehouse in Kawasaki, Kanagawa. This arcade opened in 2009.

The designer carefully recreated the feeling of the Walled City. You can see it in the arcade's narrow hallways, electrical wires, pipes, and old signs. There are also neon lights, torn posters, and many other small details.

Images for kids

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  Lung Tsun Stone Bridge and Lung Tsun Pavilion (Pavilion for Greeting Officials) of Kowloon Walled City in 1898

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  1915 map of the Hong Kong region with the Kowloon Walled City listed as "Chinese Town" at the upper right-hand corner

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  An aerial view of Kowloon Walled City and the neighbouring Sai Tau Tsuen village in 1972

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  The south side of the Kowloon Walled City in 1975. The elevation of the buildings begins to reach its maximum height.

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  One of the outer edges in 1991

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  An alley in the city

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  Aerial view of the Kowloon Walled City Park

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  The remnants of the city's South Gate and its entrance plaques

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  The front of the restored yamen building with one of the original cannons

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  Children of early 20th century Kowloon Walled City residents playing on the yamen cannons.

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  Model of Kowloon Walled City located at the entrance of Kowloon Walled City Park

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  The Kowloon Walled City in 1989

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  A street at the edge of the city at night in 1993

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  Numerous dental clinics at an edge of the walled city in 1991

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  A playground at the edge of the city

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  Warehouse Kawasaki, a former Japanese game arcade with a Kowloon Walled City theme

See also

In Spanish: Ciudad amurallada de Kowloon para niños