We dug into the history of these haunted places in Hong Kong. To believe or not to believe? Your choice.
It’s almost Halloween and some of you are already shopping for costumes. Maybe you’re planning to watch a classy Cantonese horror movie or hit some historic buildings in Hong Kong. If none of these gives you a thrill, read about the nine most haunted places in Hong Kong.
Do you dare visit the most haunted places in Hong Kong?
1. Dragon Lodge
Perched on Hong Kong’s prestigious Peak lies the infamously haunted Dragon Lodge. Built in the 1920s, this mansion saw tragedy under multiple owners, from financial ruin to death on the premises. During WWII occupation, Japanese soldiers also allegedly carried out gruesome decapitations of nuns on the grounds. Attempts to renovate Dragon Lodge in 2004 were soon abandoned, as workers reported encountering unexplained cries and noises. The building became a hotspot for thrill-seeking ghost hunters, despite tightened security.
Dragon Lodge, 32 Lugard Road, The Peak, Hong Kong
2. Tat Tak School
Abandoned since 1998, Tat Tak School in Yuen Long is on National Geographic’s list of Asia’s top ten creepy places. In 2011, twelve students were exploring Tat Tak School, when one girl screamed after spotting a head in red. As they dashed towards the light rail station, one of them started strangling herself, biting and scratching friends who tried to stop her. An ambulance soon arrived and sent two teenagers to the hospital. Some believe that the former school principal of Tat Tak School is haunting the place, while some say that the school was used as a mass grave.
Tat Tak School, Ping Shan Nam Pak Road, Yuen Long, New Territories, Hong Kong
3. Bela Vista Villa
In 1989, a divorced woman rented a room in Bela Vista Villa, hanging herself after murdering her young son. Since then, a woman in red is frequently spotted wandering around the villa. As the rumour became widely known, there were people heading to Bela Vista Villa and killing themselves every year. Not just the building itself, but the beach in front of the villa is also a haunted spot. The number of deaths finally went down after the villa changed its name to Miami Resort. Want to witness your luggage disappearing or hear the mysterious walking sounds? Perhaps you should book a night there.
Miami Resort (aka Bela Vista Villa), Cheung Chau Beach Road North, Cheung Chau, Hong Kong, p. 2981 7299
4. Murray House
While Murray House in Stanley now contains trendy restaurants and shops, its history holds a darker past. Originally located in Central, this building was an execution ground under Japanese occupation, where over 4,000 Hong Kong citizens were tortured and killed. After the war ended, Murray House transitioned to government offices, yet paranormal occurrences grew so frequent that the government called upon Buddhist monks to perform exorcisms in 1963 and 1974. While the televised ritual aimed to free trapped souls, eerie happenings continued, which played a part in its eventual relocation from Central to Stanley. Although now situated on the Stanley waterfront, Murray House retains an enduring reputation as one of Hong Kong’s most haunted historical sites.
Exploring the area? Check out our handy neighbourhood guide to Stanley.
Murray House, 96 Stanley Main Street, Stanley, Hong Kong, p. 2813 4623
5. Nam Koo Terrace
Originally belonging to a wealthy Shanghainese merchant, Nam Koo Terrace is an abandoned mansion that became one of many brothels that housed imprisoned “comfort women” during the Japanese occupation. Urban explorers have reported hearing ghostly cries and screams, as well as seeing flickering flames at its windows. In 2003, eight school girls tried to stay the night here, but freaked out when they saw the ghost of a woman waving at them. Three of the students were even reported to be possessed by one of these vengeful spirits, requiring psychiatric treatment afterwards. While no supernatural sightings have been reported since, Nam Koo Terrace remains a notorious haunted place in Hong Kong.
Nam Koo Terrace, 55 Ship Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
6. So Lo Pun
Entrenched deep in Hong Kong’s dense northeastern forests lies the long-abandoned village of So Lo Pun. This ancient Hakka settlement mysteriously emptied overnight long ago, leaving behind only crumbling homes swallowed up by vegetation. Compasses are said to spin erratically around the village, hence the name “So Lo Pun” – which means “locked compass” in Chinese. Though the exact reason for So Lo Pun’s sudden desertion remains unknown, spine-chilling legends abound, from tales of a tragic boat accident wiping out wedding-goers to rumours of a deadly epidemic, to a horrific massacre under Japanese occupation. With its mossy stone walls and decaying structures obscured by forest, this ghost village has become the stuff of horror movies.
So Lo Pun, Plover Cove Country Park, Sha Tau Kok, Hong Kong
7. Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
Occupied by the Japanese during World War II and used for executing slaves, this nine-storey building with granite arches has over 120 years of history. The site was later used as a mental hospital until 1971. Although it was refurbished into a community complex in 2001, people still occasionally spot unexplainable phenomena. In 2019, a security guard died at the stairs inside the building on his first day of work. Next time you hear “Bang! Bang!” sounds at night, it may be the spirit of a psychopath pounding her head on the dungeon wall…
And while you’re at it, check out our comprehensive guide to Sai Ying Pun.
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex, 2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong
8. Mount Davis
Other than the “White House” where political criminals and spies were tortured in the 1960s, the old fortress is another haunted spot in Mount Davis. During World War II, the British and Japanese armies had numerous guerilla wars there. It is believed that the Japanese killed themselves after their Emperor surrendered. Planning your next hike at Mount Davis? Surely there will be “people” to escort you.
Mount Davis, western Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
9. Bride’s Pool
Rumour has it that a long time ago, a bride was heading to her groom’s village, when one of the porters slipped while crossing the waterfall. The bride drowned and her spirit has remained there since, giving rise to the infamous Bride’s Pool. But there’s more to this spooky spot. In 1982, a man was found dead here after being murdered by his fiance. Then, in 2008, four lethal car accidents happened nearby within a year. Finally (for now?), in 2016, a gasoline dealer took his own life here after a business failure. While some people attribute the frequent incidents to the dangerous terrain and remote location, others believe something more sinister is in force. Either way, Bride’s Pool is a hauntingly beautiful spot for daredevils.
Bride’s Pool, Plover Cove Country Park, Shuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong
10. The Chinese University of Hong Kong
During the 1970s, many people snuck across the border into Hong Kong from Mainland China. Legend has it that a girl was travelling on the train near the current Chinese University of Hong Kong campus when she tried to jump off. Unfortunately, her braid was caught between the doors and she was dragged for miles until her scalp was ripped from her head.
Fast forward to the 2000s, a student spotted a girl with a braid crying on the street near campus one night. She approached her asking, “What’s wrong?” “You’ll freak out if you see my face,” the crying girl responded. When the student prompted the girl to turn around, she saw only a pitch-black face with a braid. Needless to say, the student got the fright of her life! This legend has become one of the most notorious tales shared by older students to new students at CUHK to this day.
Read more spooky stories about Hong Kong universities.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
[This article was originally published in October 2020 and updated in 2024 by Celia Lee.]
