THERE ARE NO ROADS to Dead Compass Town. To reach the deserted settlement you have to trek on forested paths for more than three hours from Fan Ling in the New Territories area of Hong Kong.
But would you want to?
Dead Compass Town, one of a cluster of abandoned ancient villages in the rural parts of Hong Kong, is associated with dark legends.
Travellers have long reported that their compasses stop working as they enter the village – the literal translation of the Cantonese name, So Lo Pun, is “Locked Compass”.
Then there are the stories of bad fortune. A group of So Lo Pun villagers heading to a wedding died when their boat sank. A visitor who explored the village saw ghosts there and died of a heart attack. A man was invited to a festival at the village but arrived to find the town empty and long-deserted.
EVERYTHING WILL CHANGE
Change is in the air. The government has just launched a zoning plan for So Lo Pun with the intention of preserving it as green belt and agricultural land with eco-tourism potential.
As well as that, Hong Kong is spending tens of millions of dollars to make a whole cluster of “ghost towns” more visitable. Tens of millions of dollars will be spent on a set of long-abandoned villages in the north-eastern New Territories once inhabited by Hakka people 400 years ago, a full two centuries before the British founded modern Hong Kong.
The good news is that they WON’T be replaced by high-rises, malls or golf-courses. The money will be spent on factors such as conservation, research, the designing of walking trails, and the provision of eco-tourism information and facilities. In total, more than HK$40 million will be spent in the near future on seven projects, the Secretariat of the Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme said recently.
THE HAKKA WAR
In particular, some loving care will be given to seven villages (So Lo Pun, Kop Tong, Lai Chi Wo, Mui Tsz Lam, Ngau Shi Wu, Sam A Village, and Siu Tan) which form a Hakka grouping known as the Hing Chun Yeuk, or ???. Yeuk means Alliance).
Quick history lesson:
Between 1855 and 1867 a vicious war broke out between the Hakka people and the Punti people, the two main clan groups of Guangdong at the time. It was serious business: Historians estimate that between 500,000 and a million people died. Most Hong Kong people are descendants of the Punti clans – but Hong Kong government policy these days is to be inclusive, cherishing the history of both sides.
ABANDONED HOMES
Photographer and trekker David Sutton notes that some of the buildings in the area now are old ruins, while others appear to have been abandoned just a few decades ago.
One village, Yung Shu Au, would have been “a pretty little place, set in a narrow valley and surrounded by tall trees”, he says. But now it looks very spooky.
“Today all the houses stand empty,” David said. “The newer ones, probably built in the 1960s, still contain remnants of the lives of the people who once lived in them. Tables, chairs, old picture frames and, in front of one, a child’s tricycle stands rusted and forlorn with weeds growing over it. Even the old storehouses, with their gaping doors, piercing eye-like upper windows and tangle of matted foliage are creepy.”
ELECTRO-MAGNETISM
And what of the legends of travellers who step into Dead Compass Town and find their compasses no longer work?
Some visitors say that this could be explained by the presence of hidden electro-magnetic fields caused by the presence of metallic rocks or similar phenomena.
Others are reminded of the so-called “magic slope of Shenyang” in China. Puzzled cyclists wanting to freewheel down to the bottom of the slope find they actually have to apply steady pressure to the pedals. But when they want to return to the top, they can simply freewheel back up with their feet off the pedals.
Some attribute this to an electromagnetic field, while others say it is an optical illusion in which the topography of the surrounding countryside makes a gentle downward slope look like it tilts upwards.
Whichever explanation you prefer, it’s a magical, if somewhat disorienting experience.
ELVES AND GOBLINS
In Hong Kong, David Sutton notes that the Tiu Tang Lung path to the ghost town of Lai Chi Wo leads walkers past all eight of the mangrove species found in Hong Kong.
“The most spectacular of these is the heritiera littoralis, or looking-glass mangrove, whose gnarled, twisted roots and buttress trunks bring to mind scary tales of elves, goblins and wicked witches,” he said. Think of the dark forests in Disney movies like Snow White or Tangled.
The whole area is well worth a visit on a bright sunny day — but just don’t get lost in So Lo Pun at night.
Especially if you are depending on having a working compass to find your way back to civilization.
* * *
All pictures by David Sutton
To see more of David Sutton’s work, go to: https://TheMangoRoad.com
178 Comments
Irvindut
mexico pharmacies prescription drugs: mexico pharmacy – mexico drug stores pharmacies
CharlesHon
indianpharmacy com [url=http://indiapharmast.com/#]mail order pharmacy india[/url] india pharmacy mail order
DavidLeaws
mail order pharmacy india: india pharmacy mail order – top 10 pharmacies in india
Edwardlex
https://canadapharmast.com/# canadian pharmacy checker
DavidLeaws
canadian pharmacy com: www canadianonlinepharmacy – adderall canadian pharmacy
Michaeluncot
www canadianonlinepharmacy: canadian pharmacy world – reputable canadian online pharmacy
Michaeluncot
reputable indian online pharmacy: buy medicines online in india – indian pharmacies safe
CharlesHon
canadian king pharmacy [url=https://canadapharmast.online/#]northwest canadian pharmacy[/url] best online canadian pharmacy
Edwardlex
https://canadapharmast.com/# pharmacy rx world canada
DavidLeaws
canadian mail order pharmacy: canadian drug pharmacy – northwest pharmacy canada
Michaeluncot
mexican pharmaceuticals online: best online pharmacies in mexico – buying from online mexican pharmacy
CharlesHon
best india pharmacy [url=https://indiapharmast.com/#]pharmacy website india[/url] best india pharmacy
DavidLeaws
india pharmacy mail order: india pharmacy mail order – reputable indian online pharmacy
Edwardlex
http://foruspharma.com/# best online pharmacies in mexico
Michaeluncot
п»їbest mexican online pharmacies: reputable mexican pharmacies online – mexico drug stores pharmacies
MyronCiz
https://doxycyclinedelivery.pro/# medication doxycycline 100mg
can i order clomid pills [url=https://clomiddelivery.pro/#]can you get clomid without dr prescription[/url] cheap clomid online
Thomasclams
https://doxycyclinedelivery.pro/# doxycycline 100g tablets
MyronCiz
http://paxloviddelivery.pro/# paxlovid pill
where can i get doxycycline [url=http://doxycyclinedelivery.pro/#]doxycycline 150mg pill[/url] where can i get doxycycline uk
Thomasclams
https://amoxildelivery.pro/# cheap amoxicillin 500mg
MyronCiz
https://amoxildelivery.pro/# where can i get amoxicillin 500 mg
buy ciprofloxacin over the counter [url=https://ciprodelivery.pro/#]buy ciprofloxacin over the counter[/url] ciprofloxacin mail online
Thomasclams
https://clomiddelivery.pro/# how to buy clomid without a prescription
Thomasclams
https://paxloviddelivery.pro/# paxlovid pharmacy
MyronCiz
https://paxloviddelivery.pro/# paxlovid buy
ciprofloxacin order online [url=https://ciprodelivery.pro/#]buy cipro cheap[/url] buy cipro online
Thomasclams
https://paxloviddelivery.pro/# paxlovid pharmacy
MyronCiz
http://ciprodelivery.pro/# cipro for sale
Paxlovid buy online [url=https://paxloviddelivery.pro/#]paxlovid covid[/url] paxlovid pharmacy
Thomasclams
http://paxloviddelivery.pro/# paxlovid cost without insurance
MyronCiz
https://ciprodelivery.pro/# buy generic ciprofloxacin
doxycycline buy [url=http://doxycyclinedelivery.pro/#]cost of doxycycline canada[/url] doxycycline australia cost
Thomasclams
http://ciprodelivery.pro/# purchase cipro
MyronCiz
http://clomiddelivery.pro/# can i order cheap clomid no prescription
paxlovid for sale [url=https://paxloviddelivery.pro/#]Paxlovid buy online[/url] п»їpaxlovid
Thomasclams
https://amoxildelivery.pro/# amoxicillin 500 tablet
MyronCiz
https://ciprodelivery.pro/# cipro for sale
buy doxycycline south africa [url=https://doxycyclinedelivery.pro/#]doxycycline with out a rx[/url] doxycycline price comparison
Thomasclams
http://ciprodelivery.pro/# cipro 500mg best prices
Robertwhisk
where to get generic clomid pill: can i buy generic clomid without prescription – cost of clomid pill
ArnoldSaf
mexico drug stores pharmacies [url=https://mexicandeliverypharma.com/#]buying prescription drugs in mexico[/url] buying prescription drugs in mexico
Waynegat
purple pharmacy mexico price list: mexico pharmacies prescription drugs – mexico drug stores pharmacies
ArnoldSaf
buying prescription drugs in mexico online [url=http://mexicandeliverypharma.com/#]buying from online mexican pharmacy[/url] medication from mexico pharmacy
Dominicapedy
pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa: mexican pharmaceuticals online – mexican mail order pharmacies
Waynegat
mexican pharmaceuticals online: mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs – mexican pharmaceuticals online
Richardbum
https://mexicandeliverypharma.com/# mexico pharmacies prescription drugs
ArnoldSaf
buying prescription drugs in mexico [url=http://mexicandeliverypharma.com/#]mexico pharmacy[/url] best online pharmacies in mexico
Dominicapedy
mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa: mexican pharmaceuticals online – mexican rx online
Richardbum
https://mexicandeliverypharma.online/# medicine in mexico pharmacies
ArnoldSaf
mexico pharmacies prescription drugs [url=https://mexicandeliverypharma.com/#]buying from online mexican pharmacy[/url] reputable mexican pharmacies online
NelsonFam
mexican drugstore online: mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa – buying from online mexican pharmacy
Dominicapedy
purple pharmacy mexico price list: mexican rx online – medicine in mexico pharmacies
Waynegat
buying prescription drugs in mexico: reputable mexican pharmacies online – mexican rx online
Dominicapedy
mexican pharmaceuticals online: best online pharmacies in mexico – mexican mail order pharmacies
Waynegat
purple pharmacy mexico price list: mexico drug stores pharmacies – mexico drug stores pharmacies
ArnoldSaf
mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs [url=https://mexicandeliverypharma.com/#]medication from mexico pharmacy[/url] mexican mail order pharmacies
NelsonFam
mexico drug stores pharmacies: buying prescription drugs in mexico – mexico drug stores pharmacies
Dominicapedy
mexican rx online: pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa – mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs
ArnoldSaf
mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa [url=https://mexicandeliverypharma.com/#]mexican pharmaceuticals online[/url] buying prescription drugs in mexico
NelsonFam
п»їbest mexican online pharmacies: mexican drugstore online – mexico drug stores pharmacies
Waynegat
п»їbest mexican online pharmacies: mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa – buying from online mexican pharmacy
ArnoldSaf
pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa [url=https://mexicandeliverypharma.online/#]mexico pharmacies prescription drugs[/url] reputable mexican pharmacies online
NelsonFam
best online pharmacies in mexico: buying prescription drugs in mexico – pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa
Dominicapedy
buying from online mexican pharmacy: mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs – best online pharmacies in mexico
Waynegat
buying prescription drugs in mexico: buying from online mexican pharmacy – mexico drug stores pharmacies
ArnoldSaf
mexican pharmacy [url=https://mexicandeliverypharma.com/#]mexican drugstore online[/url] mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa
Dominicapedy
mexican drugstore online: mexico drug stores pharmacies – mexican drugstore online
ArnoldSaf
medicine in mexico pharmacies [url=https://mexicandeliverypharma.com/#]mexico drug stores pharmacies[/url] mexico pharmacy
Dominicapedy
reputable mexican pharmacies online: mexican pharmaceuticals online – reputable mexican pharmacies online
Waynegat
mexican mail order pharmacies: mexican mail order pharmacies – pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa
Waynegat
mexican drugstore online: buying from online mexican pharmacy – medication from mexico pharmacy
NelsonFam
mexican pharmaceuticals online: mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs – mexico drug stores pharmacies
Dominicapedy
mexico pharmacies prescription drugs: reputable mexican pharmacies online – purple pharmacy mexico price list
Waynegat
mexico drug stores pharmacies: п»їbest mexican online pharmacies – buying from online mexican pharmacy
ArnoldSaf
mexican pharmacy [url=http://mexicandeliverypharma.com/#]medication from mexico pharmacy[/url] pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa
NelsonFam
mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa: mexican mail order pharmacies – medication from mexico pharmacy
Waynegat
pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa: medicine in mexico pharmacies – medication from mexico pharmacy
ArnoldSaf
mexico pharmacies prescription drugs [url=https://mexicandeliverypharma.com/#]п»їbest mexican online pharmacies[/url] mexican pharmacy
NelsonFam
buying from online mexican pharmacy: medication from mexico pharmacy – mexico pharmacies prescription drugs
Dominicapedy
mexican pharmaceuticals online: mexican mail order pharmacies – mexico pharmacies prescription drugs
Waynegat
п»їbest mexican online pharmacies: pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa – medication from mexico pharmacy
NelsonFam
medicine in mexico pharmacies: mexico pharmacies prescription drugs – pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa
Waynegat
mexico drug stores pharmacies: mexico pharmacies prescription drugs – mexican drugstore online
Waynegat
reputable mexican pharmacies online: mexican mail order pharmacies – mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs
NelsonFam
mexican drugstore online: mexican border pharmacies shipping to usa – mexican pharmaceuticals online
NelsonFam
mexico drug stores pharmacies: medicine in mexico pharmacies – mexico drug stores pharmacies
Waynegat
mexico pharmacies prescription drugs: buying from online mexican pharmacy – mexican mail order pharmacies
MatthewGax
generic zithromax online paypal: zithromax capsules 250mg – zithromax buy online no prescription
PatrickSlecy
https://zithromaxbestprice.pro/# zithromax for sale us
Lewisgam
https://zithromaxbestprice.pro/# cheap zithromax pills
MatthewGax
prednisone 12 mg: over the counter prednisone cheap – how to get prednisone without a prescription
PatrickSlecy
https://prednisonebestprice.pro/# buy prednisone canadian pharmacy
Lewisgam
http://zithromaxbestprice.pro/# generic zithromax 500mg
MatthewGax
order cheap propecia without a prescription: order propecia tablets – cost propecia without rx
PatrickSlecy
https://zithromaxbestprice.pro/# zithromax online usa
Lewisgam
http://cytotecbestprice.pro/# buy cytotec pills online cheap
MatthewGax
buy cytotec: buy cytotec online – Cytotec 200mcg price
MatthewGax
tamoxifen hormone therapy: tamoxifen for breast cancer prevention – how to get nolvadex
Lewisgam
https://zithromaxbestprice.pro/# zithromax for sale cheap
MatthewGax
tamoxifen hormone therapy: tamoxifen and antidepressants – nolvadex d
MatthewGax
buying generic propecia pills: get cheap propecia tablets – cost of generic propecia price
MatthewGax
prednisone 5 mg: prednisone 20 tablet – prednisone 20 mg generic
Lewisgam
http://prednisonebestprice.pro/# prednisone without prescription medication
MatthewGax
tamoxifen breast cancer: clomid nolvadex – is nolvadex legal
MatthewGax
п»їcytotec pills online: Cytotec 200mcg price – buy cytotec pills online cheap
Tomasglype
farmacie online sicure: Tadalafil generico migliore – farmaci senza ricetta elenco
Tomasglype
farmacie online sicure: kamagra gel – farmacia online senza ricetta
Tomasglype
п»їFarmacia online migliore: avanafil generico – farmacie online affidabili
Tomasglype
acquistare farmaci senza ricetta: Cialis generico prezzo – Farmacie online sicure
Tomasglype
Farmacia online piГ№ conveniente: Cialis generico controindicazioni – top farmacia online
SamuelArems
https://sildenafil.llc/# buy viagra generic
Georgenip
cialis no perscrtion: Buy Tadalafil 20mg – genaric cialis with dapoxetine
SamuelArems
https://sildenafil.llc/# 100mg viagra without a doctor prescription
Georgenip
viagra without prescription: Cheap Viagra online – viagra samples
SamuelArems
http://tadalafil.auction/# cialis with dapoxetine to buy uk
Georgenip
canadian drugstore cialis: Generic Tadalafil 20mg price – cialis 20 mg sale
LeonardVance
http://edpillpharmacy.store/# get ed meds online
CharlesFug
https://mexicopharmacy.win/# buying prescription drugs in mexico
ed medicines
DouglasCar
ed meds on line: online ed prescription same-day – where to buy ed pills
CharlesFug
http://mexicopharmacy.win/# mexican drugstore online
ed treatments online
DouglasCar
ed med online: ed meds on line – erectile dysfunction drugs online
LeonardVance
https://mexicopharmacy.win/# medicine in mexico pharmacies
CharlesFug
http://mexicopharmacy.win/# medication from mexico pharmacy
low cost ed pills
DouglasCar
online prescription for ed: Best ED meds online – boner pills online
LeonardVance
https://edpillpharmacy.store/# pills for erectile dysfunction online
DouglasCar
cost of ed meds: low cost ed pills – ed prescription online
DouglasCar
erectile dysfunction online: Best ED meds online – discount ed meds
LeonardVance
https://edpillpharmacy.store/# cheap ed
LeonardVance
http://indiapharmacy.shop/# cheapest online pharmacy india
LeonardVance
http://indiapharmacy.shop/# world pharmacy india
LeonardVance
http://indiapharmacy.shop/# Online medicine order
LeonardVance
http://indiapharmacy.shop/# world pharmacy india
LeonardVance
https://edpillpharmacy.store/# erectile dysfunction medication online
LeonardVance
https://indiapharmacy.shop/# best india pharmacy
Danielskads
buy cytotec pills online cheap https://tamoxifen.bid/# tamoxifen endometriosis
furosemide 40mg
Stephenrem
https://cytotec.pro/# Cytotec 200mcg price
Danielskads
Cytotec 200mcg price https://cytotec.pro/# buy cytotec over the counter
lasix tablet
Stephenrem
http://furosemide.win/# buy lasix online
Stanleyanaws
buy cytotec over the counter [url=http://cytotec.pro/#]cheapest cytotec[/url] cytotec pills buy online
Danielskads
cytotec buy online usa http://lipitor.guru/# lipitor 40 mg price australia
lasix tablet
Stephenrem
http://furosemide.win/# furosemide 40mg
Danielskads
buy cytotec pills online cheap http://tamoxifen.bid/# tamoxifen and osteoporosis
lasix 100mg
Stanleyanaws
generic tamoxifen [url=https://tamoxifen.bid/#]low dose tamoxifen[/url] tamoxifen medication
Stephenrem
http://furosemide.win/# lasix 20 mg
Danielskads
Misoprostol 200 mg buy online http://cytotec.pro/# buy cytotec in usa
lasix 100 mg tablet
JamesBelty
buy cytotec: Misoprostol price in pharmacy – buy cytotec over the counter
Stephenrem
https://lisinopril.guru/# lisinopril 10 mg prices
JamesBelty
brand name lipitor price: buy lipitor 20mg – lipitor prices
Danielskads
Cytotec 200mcg price https://tamoxifen.bid/# buy tamoxifen
lasix
JamesBelty
clomid nolvadex: tamoxifen endometrium – nolvadex pct
Stephenrem
https://furosemide.win/# buy furosemide online
Danielskads
п»їcytotec pills online http://lisinopril.guru/# cost of lisinopril in mexico
lasix tablet
JamesBelty
price lisinopril 20 mg: lisinopril 20 mg price in india – lisinopril 20 mg no prescription
JamesBelty
cost for 20 mg lisinopril: Buy Lisinopril 20 mg online – prinivil drug
Jeremysheex
https://mexstarpharma.online/# mexican pharmaceuticals online
RobertHah
https://easyrxindia.shop/# india pharmacy
RobertHah
https://mexstarpharma.com/# pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa
Jeremysheex
http://easyrxindia.com/# indianpharmacy com
RobertHah
https://easyrxindia.com/# indian pharmacies safe
Jeremysheex
http://mexstarpharma.com/# mexico drug stores pharmacies
RobertHah
https://mexstarpharma.online/# mexican drugstore online
Jeremysheex
http://easyrxindia.com/# indianpharmacy com
Jesusskeva
sweet bonanza giris: sweet bonanza slot demo – sweet bonanza yasal site
Jesusskeva
deneme bonusu: bonus veren siteler – bahis siteleri
Kevindrews
http://sweetbonanza.network/# sweet bonanza 90 tl
Darrelunade
en guvenilir slot siteleri: casino slot siteleri – slot siteleri
Darrelunade
en cok kazandiran slot siteleri: yeni slot siteleri – en cok kazandiran slot siteleri
Kevindrews
http://sweetbonanza.network/# sweet bonanza demo oyna
Darrelunade
slot kumar siteleri: en guvenilir slot siteleri – slot kumar siteleri
Darrelunade
slot oyunlar? siteleri: slot siteleri bonus veren – en yeni slot siteleri
Kevindrews
https://sweetbonanza.network/# sweet bonanza siteleri
Darrelunade
slot siteleri bonus veren: slot siteleri 2024 – oyun siteleri slot
Kevindrews
https://denemebonusuverensiteler.win/# bonus veren siteler
WarrenTwill
http://1xbet.contact/# 1хбет официальный сайт
Lesliebum
казино вавада [url=https://vavada.auction/#]вавада[/url] vavada зеркало
ScottBon
вавада рабочее зеркало: vavada – vavada casino
ScottBon
vavada казино: казино вавада – вавада казино
WarrenTwill
http://pin-up.diy/# pin up казино
ScottBon
1вин официальный сайт: 1win – 1win официальный сайт
WarrenTwill
https://vavada.auction/# вавада рабочее зеркало
ScottBon
pin up казино: пин ап казино – pin up казино
ScottBon
1вин зеркало: ван вин – 1win зеркало
WarrenTwill
http://pin-up.diy/# пинап казино
ScottBon
ван вин: 1вин сайт – ван вин
ScottBon
вавада казино: vavada казино – казино вавада