Forts in China - Forts in Hong Kong, Forts in Macau, Kowloon Walled City, Taku Forts, Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, Pinewood Battery (Paperback)

Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Forts in Hong Kong, Forts in Macau, Kowloon Walled City, Taku Forts, Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, Pinewood Battery, Tung Chung Fort, Devil's Peak, Hong Kong, Tung Lung Fort, Fortaleza de Mong H, Fortaleza Do Monte, Guia Fortress, Fan Lau Fort, Stanley Fort, Tung Chung Battery, Baimaguan Fort, Lei Yue Mun Fort. Excerpt: Kowloon Walled City was a densely populated, largely ungoverned settlement in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Originally a Chinese military fort, the Walled City became an enclave after the New Territories were leased to Britain in 1898. Its population increased dramatically following the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. From the 1950s through the 1970s, it was controlled by Triads and had high rates of prostitution, gambling, and drug use. In 1987, the Walled City contained 33,000 residents within its 6.5-acre (0.03 km; 0.01 sq mi) borders. In January 1987, the Hong Kong government announced plans to demolish the Walled City. After an arduous eviction process, demolition began in March 1993 and was completed in April 1994. Kowloon Walled City Park opened in December 1995 and occupies the area of the former Walled City. Some historical artifacts from the Walled City, including its yamen building and remnants of its South Gate, have been preserved there. Kowloon Walled City in 1898The history of the Walled City can be traced back to the Song Dynasty (9601279), when an outpost was set up to manage the trade of salt. Little took place for hundreds of years afterward, although 30 guards were stationed there in 1668. A small coastal fort was established around 1810. In 1842, during Qing Emperor Daoguang's reign, Hong Kong Island was ceded to Britain in accordance with the Treaty of Nanjing. As a result, the Qing a... More: http://booksllc.net/?id=269024