It is the site of a Buddhist Hall Fort constructed 300 years ago, and recently refurbished. A prehistoric stone carving can also be found on the island. Both the fort and the stone carving are declared monuments of Hong Kong.
Buddhist Hall Fort
It is said the fort was built as a part of a maritime defence system to protect trade and fend off pirates. The fort, according to one record, was erected in the Kangxi era (1662-1722) to guard against pirates. It is rumoured to have been attacked by the famous pirates Cheng Lien Chang and Cheng I, and more recently by the infamous Cheung Po Tsai. The fort was abandoned in 1810 when its personnel moved to another fort at the tip of the Kowloon Peninsula.
The fort is situated at the north-eastern part of the island, 35 m above the water with cliffs on three sides, and commands the Fat Tong Mun channel. No vessel could pass through without being seen entering or leaving Joss House Bay. The fort may also have been a signal station, passing messages on to military headquarters in Kowloon. When in use it was manned by an average of 25 men of the Tai-pang-hsi navy.
Although no sketches or historic descriptions of the fort are available, observation of the ruins has given an idea of the structure. It was rectangular, composed of 10 feet high rubble stone walls provided with an arch-shaped brick gate for the guards to pass in and out.
Transportation
On weekends, small craft fly the gap between the island and Sai Wan Ho.
Part of the text based on information provided by the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), under the provision that the re-dissemination or reproduction is for non-commercial use. [1] (http://parks.afcd.gov.hk/newparks/eng/news/copyright_notice.htm)
Part of the text based on information provided by the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), under the provision that the re-dissemination or reproduction is for non-commercial use.
Soko Islands (Tai A Chau, Siu A Chau)
This page was last modified 08:39, 14 November 2005.
When in 1279 the Song army was defeated in its last battle, the Battle of Yamen, against the Mongols in the Pearl River Delta, a high official is said to have taken the boy emperor in his arms and jumped from a clifftop into the sea, drowning both of them.
These emperors are also believed to have held court in the Tung Chung valley, which takes its name from a local hero who gave up his life for the emperor.
Forts, garrisons and outposts, including the TungLungFort on the TungLung Island, were built during the Kangxi era after the defeat of Koxinga admistration in Taiwan.
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