A forest of bamboo surrounded the village, and the village's name is derived therefrom - Chuk Yuen means bamboo garden in Chinese language. A river from the range north ran by the village west emptying into Kowloon Bay via Po Kong.
In 1956, the government decided to relocate the residents of squatters and Chuk Yuen Village in the resettlement area to high-rise residential blocks. Two Wong Tai Sin Estates, "Upper" and "Lower", were built. A special block with better in-house facilities was constructed for indigenous villagers. Originally, the Wong Tai Sin temple was threatened as it was within the development project. However, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals successfully persuaded the government to preserve the temple.
The housing project of the two Wong Tai Sin Estates were completed in early 1960s. The name of Wong Tai Sin gradually gained popularity over Chuk Yuen, though the temple continues to use the address of No. 2 Chuk Yuen Village.
Later, the northern part of the settlement area was replaced with the Chuk Yuen North and Chuk Yuen South estates. The Chuk Yuen Bus Terminus at Chuk Yuen Road, between two estates, hosts many bus routes to other areas of Hong Kong.
Nowadays, Chuk Yuen commonly refers to the estates, the bus terminus, and surroundings.
In the 2019 and 2020 policy addresses, the chief executive stated that the government intends to take back possession of the remaining Chuk Yuen United Village and to redevelop the land into high-density public housing.[1][2]
Notable buildings
Chuk Yuen Children's Reception Centre, at Fung Wong San Tsuen, a temporary home for children when their parents are not suitable to take care of them.
The Salvation Army Chuk Yuen Corps was set up on 26 June1956, as a vocational centre for youngsters with a primary school for children. It was opened by the then Governor of Hong Kong Sir Alexander Grantham and about one hundred distinguished guests attended .
References
^"Policy Address". The Chief Executive's 2020 Policy Address. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2021.