LANTAU BATTERY, KILN AND FORT

BATTERY

After the clearing of dense undergrowth near Tung Chung ferry pier in 1980 a battery or so was believed was unearthed. Facing the sea with probable gun emplacements to defend the shipping or to defend the island. Records shown in the Guangdong Annals of 1817 that 2 batteries where in the location of Rocky Lion Hill (at Tung Chung Hou)

There are doubts that this particular find is one of those batteries. One thing for sure it must have been used as a military position for the defense of the island.

KILN

Archaeologists have found many relics within Lanatu island and on some surrounding islands. Periods like bronze, neolithic which have been found in areas like Tung Wan Tsai as well as Pa Tau Kwn, Fu Tei Wan. Many other relics have been found from the times of the Tang and Song dynasty as well as Han and six dynasty.

Lime kilns of the Tang dynasty where found in Fu Tei Wan (Cheo Lap Kok) in around the early 1960. samples taken of the ashes of the soot found in the kiln gives it a date of between 610-880ad. The airport construction meant that the kiln had to be moved to its present location in 1991.

The kiln you can see in a cage to keep it in tact for generation to come.

TUNG CHUNG FORT

Tung Chung fort is situated on the Tung Chung road south of Tung Chung and within walking distance from the town centre. Bus no3M from the Tung Chung bus terminal will take you right passed it.

The fort was built under the Qing government to stop the pirate attacks and to halt the trade in opium. The fort entrance houses an inscription with the date of 1832and was known as the Tung Chung SUOGHENG meaning Battalion city. The right battalion of Mirs Bay also had its headquarters there.

Six cannons facing north are situated on the battlements and have dates inscribed on them reading, 2 dated from 1805 and 1809, 2 dated from 1803 the two remaining cannons cannot be verified. These were used to safe guard shipping in the PEARL RIVER and of course to defend the islnd.

The British took over Hong Kong and the New Territories in 1898 the Qing authorities move out so Britain put the cannons there in 1918 when the fort was used as a police station, The British later moved out and in 1938-1940 the fort was taken over by Wan Yan collage. Later it was used by the rural committee office and then by Tung Chung primary school, offices are still used in the fort today.

The fort is a historical monument and now has a museum with insight as to its usages and also has relic of bygone years. The fort is open to the public and is well worth the visit, and it is free. Just a short walk to the fort so get out and indulge in some history.