Devil's Peak, Hong Kong

Devil's Peak (Chinese: 魔鬼山 | 炮台山) is a peak that lies beside Lei Yue Mun channel close to Yau Tong, Hong Kong. The area around the peak was garrisoned by the British Army in the 20th century and prior to that, by local pirates in the 19th century to control the passage of Lei Yue Mun, an important nautical passage that leads to Victoria Harbour. The remnants of a redoubt and batteries are still visible on the peak.[1]

Devil's Peak
魔鬼山
Devil's Peak viewed from Mount Parker
Highest point
Elevation222 m (728 ft)
Naming
Native name魔鬼山 | 炮台山  (Chinese)
Geography
Devil's Peak
Location of Devil's Peak in Hong Kong
Location Hong Kong
View of Devil's Peak from Shaukeiwan Typhoon Shelter, across Lei Yue Mun.
View of Victoria Harbour from Devil's Peak Summit.
Remains of fortifications on Devil's Peak
View of Gough Battery, with Lei Yue Mun and Victoria Harbour in the background.

Geography

Devil's Peak stands at 222 metres in height. To the east of the peak lies Junk Bay Chinese Permanent Cemetery and Yau Tong lies to its west. The hill extends its ridge south to water in Lei Yue Mun and north to another peak called Chiu Keng Wan Shan.

Military history

The major parts of the military sites on Devil's Peak were built between 1900 and 1914. The four main clusters of military structures that remain are:

  • Devil's Peak Redoubt, which stands on the summit at a level of 222m. It was built in 1914.[2]
  • A small site at 196m
  • Gough Battery[3] - upper battery at 160m, was built in 1898 with 2 6-inch guns; one later replaced by 9.2-inch guns; guns removed in 1936 to Stanley Fort; likely named for former Commander-in-Chief of British Forces in China Hugh Gough, 1st Viscount Gough
  • Pottinger Battery - lower battery at 81m, with 9.2-inch guns; guns removed in 1936 to Bokhara Battery, Cape D'Aguilar; named for Governor Sir Henry Pottinger

A list of troops whom were stationed here (mainly during World War II):

Access

Section 3 of The Wilson Trail runs through the foot of Devil's Peak. It is possible to access the fort on foot from the Wilson Trail from either Yau Tong or from Lam Tin.

See also

References
  1. "Discover relics of war in Hong Kong". South China Morning Post. 19 February 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  2. Luu, Chieu (11 January 2017). "The ultimate guide to Kowloon, Hong Kong's 'dark' side". CNN Travel. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  3. "Welcome to Film Services Office – Location Library". www.fso-createhk.gov.hk. Retrieved 3 October 2019.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.