WALK: 'Tidal Stories' - Tracing the Coastal History of Tai Kok Tsui

Introduction

Reclamation has long been central to the shaping of Hong Kong’s communities and urban identity. Tai Kok Tsui, once a fishing village on Kowloon’s waterfront, underwent successive reclamation from the late 19th century through the post-war decades. These gave rise to dockyards, oil depots, and later light industries and dense residential estates. This walking tour explores key sites that embody Tai Kok Tsui’s layered coastal transformation, including the relocated Hong Sing Temple (1881), the former Cosmopolitan Dock (1875, now Cosmopolitan Estate), and Peony House (1960s) along Hoi King Street. Together, they reveal a layered history of industry, transport, and community, allowing us to read the ghost of the original shore beneath the modern city. Through this walking tour of urban archaeological sites situated in Tai Kok Tsui, participants trace the shifting coastline of Tai Kok Tsui that reflects the broader trajectory of urban development and coastal planning in Hong Kong.

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Tour Lead

Design PY is a multidisciplinary design studio founded by Emily Po and Quentin Yiu. The studio is dedicated to cultivating community connections through the exploration of culture and urban development. With a focus on historical research and architectural context, the studio seeks to deepen public understanding of spatial design within rapidly evolving cities. Committed to sustainable design, Design PY integrated locally sourced upcycled materials and modular principles to create an adaptable, environmentally responsible installation- “Tidal Stories”. The design repurposed expired medical masks and protective gowns to craft a public artwork that reflects Tai Kok Tsui’s layered coastal history. By blending innovative design with cultural narratives, the studio aims to inspire and engage diverse audiences around issues of urban transformation and collective memory.