Last weekend, I was in the mood to travel to a place where I could explore my photography skills and get some cool insta shots. Hence I decided to visit the 'MaWan' an abandoned fishing village which for me is a veritable ghost town.
Once home to hundreds of villagers, Ma Wan village is now an abandoned town. Unlike most of Hong Kong’s rural abandoned corners, the residents here were evicted by the government in 2011 - some of them unwillingly.
But just 30 years ago, Ma Wan was home to a thriving community of 2,000 people, most of whom made their living from fishing and farming. What was once a thriving fishing village, this old abandoned town now lies in ruins. The town had a population of several thousand prior to the 80s and around 800 in 2000. But today, Ma Wan is mostly home to Park Island.
Many dwellings are locked up with ‘Government Property’ and ‘No Trespassing' signs on the rusty doors, others can be entered freely.
Some of the houses have been overrun by trees and vines. Nature has taken over these houses.
I am glad I hopped back in time so see this ghost town before it too gets redeveloped.
Desolate homes in Ma Wan sadly are now Instagrammable spots.
But by 2011, the majority of the residents had been evicted after the developer of Park Island bought most of the land on Ma Wan. The developer offered villagers a three-storey house or three units in the new Park Island complex, which was completed in 2006. While most accepted the deal, others held out in protest. Eviction efforts continue to this day.
That’s why it’s no surprise that many enjoy visiting Ma Wan’s ghost town for its juxtaposed.
This place is still popular for model and wedding photographers though…
There is something weirdly artistic about ghost towns making them perfect for photography.
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