Exploring the Abandoned Sham Shui Po Reservoir
- Andrew Spires
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
I had a friend in town who is both fitter than a butcher's dog and a history buff, so there was only one thing for it... a visit to the old Sham Shui Po reservoir. Built over a century ago, this forgotten piece of infrastructure offers a fascinating glimpse into the city’s past, along with stunning views and an unexpected surprise tucked up on Woh Chai Hill.
How to Get There
The reservoir is located between Shek Kip Mei, Prince Edward and Sham Shui Po, tucked away in the hills above the city. The walk to the old reservoir is relatively short and easy, but there is a stair climb at the end, making this unsuitable for prams and wheelchair users.
Click here for the Google Map which you can use from whichever station is most convenient for you.
I'm not saying what the surprise is - you have to visit. Bring a table tennis bat and ball, just in case...
A Brief History of Sham Shui Po Reservoir
Built in 1904, the Sham Shui Po Reservoir was part of Hong Kong’s early water supply system, designed to serve Kowloon’s growing population. At the time, freshwater was scarce, and the colonial government invested heavily in reservoirs like this one.
By the 1930s, larger reservoirs (such as Kowloon Reservoir) made this small one obsolete, and it was eventually decommissioned. Today, the remains consist of arched brick walls and a sandy floor that are a beautiful and peaceful break away from the mad streets of Sham Shui Po.
There are information boards dotted around the site that allow an audio tour of various aspects of the site and WiFi that you can link up to so you can access it.
If you're visiting on a weekend, be sure to get there early as they have a strict one-in-one-out policy and the maximum occupancy is 100 people.
The reservoir is not a full-day trip. My mate and I were done with looking around it in about 10 minutes, but the surrounding hills and, obviously, Sham Shui Po, make this a trip worth making. If you have time, hit up the markets on both sides of Nathan Road and make the most of the small, locally run restaurants in the area. Note that the markets don't open until 11am.
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