Halloween special: Haunted places in Hong Kong
Despite its reputation as a modern dynamic city, Hong Kong has its own fair share of chilling ghost stories that have been passed down for generations. For Halloween, we’ve compiled a list of Hong Kong’s most haunted spots. Are you brave (or stupid) enough instead of heading to LKF to see your share of scantily clad witches, nurses and mermaids to go and do some real exploring?
In this article, we delve into the eerie realm of haunted Hong Kong, exploring the spine-chilling stories that surround these locations and uncovering the historical events that may have contributed to their ghostly reputation. The High Street Ghost
Located in the bustling neighbourhood and often missed by passers-by, Nam Koo Terrace is situated on High Street in Sai Ying Pun and is most commonly known as the Sai Ying Pun Community Complex. Constructed in 1982, the building originally served as a mental hospital where Japanese soldiers tortured and killed villagers who rebelled during the World War and has a haunting locale with a history dating back to the 1920s. It is rumoured that the ghost of a young woman, known as the High Street Ghost, roams the area. These rumours also include ghosts combusting into flames, severed bodies floating by, cries of women, and mysterious footsteps being heard. According to legend, she tragically ended her life due to a forbidden love affair. Eerie sightings, unexplained sounds, and a general sense of unease have been reported by those brave enough to venture near this haunted location. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, there’s no denying that this place has a creepy vibe because of its spooky history. This structure was remodelled into the Sai Ying Pun Community Complex in 1998, yet it is still known by its granite facade and its old name, “High Street Haunted House.”
The Midnight Watchman - Former Victoria Road Detention Centre
Locals have long remembered the White House Compound, often referred to as the Victoria Road Detention Centre or better yet, as the Mount Davis Concentration Camp. Tucked away on the slopes of Mount Davis, the former Victoria Road Detention Centre is notorious for its dark past. Constructed during World War II by the Japanese military, it was used as a prison and interrogation centre. Tales of torture, suffering, and unjust executions have woven a sinister atmosphere around this place. During the communist uprisings in 1967, many people who were being held here as political prisoners or suspected spies were tortured and killed by the police. The detainees were kept in deplorable conditions, crammed into tiny cells, while some of them spent months in isolation. Only those who had been through the trauma of being held there remained after the riots, leaving the detention centre to rot and decay.
Locals claim to have witnessed the apparition of a ghostly midnight watchman patrolling the premises, eternally guarding the secrets of the past. The centre sat unmarked on maps and without signs from the time it was abandoned until 2018 when it was transformed into the University Of Chicago Booth School Of Business.
The Wails of the Damned - Bride's Pool Waterfall Nestled in the tranquil landscape of the New Territories, Bride's Pool Waterfall is a picturesque spot with a dark legend. For women, being a bride-to-be is one of the most beautiful feelings in the world, but the story of one of the most haunted places in Hong Kong might give you chills. Who would’ve thought that a beautiful rock pool could be a home of the spirit of a bride drowned in the falls?
Local folklore depicts, a bride drowned in the pool on her wedding day, and her anguished cries can still be heard echoing through the valley. The story goes that four men (porters) were pushing a sedan chair with a bride-to-be on it to her groom’s village. On the way, they went over one of the waterfalls that feed Bride’s Pool. One of the porters slipped on a rock, which caused the bride and her porters to fall into the pool below. Unfortunately, the bride and all of her porters drowned because her Cheongsam, a traditional, tight-fitting dress, was so heavy. She never made it to her groom, so she waits for him under the pool’s surface, dressed in her Cheongsam.
To add spice to the already interesting story, news of people having committed suicide in the area around Bride’s Pool can be read from historic news articles and in 1982, the body of a man killed by his fiancé was found. Visitors have reported an eerie presence, a feeling of being watched, and even sightings of a ghostly figure near the waterfall. It remains a popular destination for thrill-seekers and ghost hunters.
Nowadays, the road is called “The Deadly Curve” because it is a dangerous intersection where many people have died in accidents. No matter what the history of this rock pool is, many people go to Bride’s Pool out of curiosity or to enjoy the beautiful area, while having the feeling of being watched.
The Ghostly Legends of Nam Koo Terrace
Nam Koo Terrace has become an integral part of Hong Kong's urban legends and folklore. The tale of the haunted mansion has been passed down through generations, captivating the imagination of locals and inspiring various adaptations in popular culture, including movies, books, and television shows. Nam Koo Terrace, a colonial-era mansion, located in the heart of Wan Chai, has become famous for its haunting tales and ghostly encounters with spine-chilling mysteries that have intrigued locals and visitors alike for generations. Built in the early 20th century during the British colonial period, this mansion was originally owned by a wealthy Chinese family and served as their residence. This two-storey Grade I historical building was used as a military brothel during the war from 1941 to 1945, where women were raped and murdered. In 2003, a group of middle school girls who attempted to stay overnight reported to have seen a ghost. One girl claimed she was possessed by the spirit, and another required psychiatric treatment because of the trauma.
Over the years, the terrace has remained vacant, lying dormant and empty, waiting for its fate from property developers until recently it was announced to be converted into a marriage registry😅.
Hong Kong's haunted places offer a fascinating blend of history, folklore, and spine-chilling encounters. These locations carry the weight of past tragedies, stirring the imagination and reminding us of the city's complex and diverse heritage. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these stories offer a unique opportunity to delve into the ghostly tales that have become an integral part of the city's cultural fabric. As the sun sets and darkness envelops the city, the whispers of the past come alive, inviting you to uncover the secrets hidden within the streets, buildings and walls of Hong Kong.