Learn public housing history at Mei Ho House

Mei Ho House shows the history of public housing

Mei Ho House is now a youth hostel with a museum to show YOU the history of public housing and life of the residents.

Mei Ho House Youth Hostel

Mei Ho House Youth Hostel

Mei Ho House was the start of the largest public housing project

Housing and overcrowding are always the serious problem in Hong Kong.

When many refugees escaped to Hong Kong in the 1950s, apart from settling down at the Kowloon Walled City Slum, they also lived at the slum areas on the hillside.

The overcrowded slum areas were the fire hazards.

It was common to have slum fire in Hong Kong. Photo shows the slum fire in 1969. (scanned from the Voice)

Slum fire was common in Hong Kong. Photo shows the slum fire in 1969. (scanned from the Voice)

Residents helped to put out the slum Fire in 1969 (scanned from the Voice)

Residents helped to put out the slum Fire in 1969 (scanned from the Voice)

Slum fire victims in 1969 (scanned from the Voice)

Slum fire victims were upset in 1969. Government built lots of resettlement buildings, like the Mei Ho House, to help the victims (scanned from the Voice)

 

On the Christmas of 1953, a big fire accident happened at Shek Kip Mei Slum. The accident made about 50,000 people homeless.

Government thus built many resettlement buildings for the victims. Mei Ho House is one of them.

Model shows visitors the original Mei Ho House in the past

Model shows visitors the original Mei Ho House in the past

 

This was the start of the largest public housing project in the World.

Heritage of Mei Ho House shows the interesting past 

Mei Ho House is now the restored heritage building.

Mei Ho House, before restoration

Mei Ho House, before restoration

Mei Ho House (the short and orange building on the left) is right next to other public housing buildings.

Mei Ho House Youth Hostel today (the short and orange building on the left) is right next to other public housing buildings.

 

From the models and exhibits inside the museum, Heritage of Mei Ho House, YOU can learn the development of Hong Kong’s public housing and life of the residents under the overcrowded living environment.

Bedroom with mahjong table at Mei Ho House apartment

Bedroom with mahjong table at Mei Ho House apartment

Mei Ho House apartment kitchen was on the corridor at first

Mei Ho House apartment kitchen was on the corridor at first

The old-school living room furniture in Mei Ho House apartment

The old-school living room furniture in Mei Ho House apartment

Rice shop for the Mei Ho House residents in the past

Rice shop for the Mei Ho House residents in the past

People shared the public washroom at Mei Ho House in the past

People shared the public washroom at Mei Ho House in the past

The old-school bricks for decoration and ventilation at Mei Ho House

The old-school bricks for decoration and ventilation at Mei Ho House

 

It takes about 20-30 mins to walk to Mei Ho House from the Sham Shui Po MTR Station.

The museum has docent tours for travelers. Please book in advance!

If you want to have the Kowloon private tour, which covers the Mei Ho House and other Chinese cultural elements, please contact us or browse the Kowloon tour webpage.

 

 

 

Summary
Learn public housing history at Mei Ho House
Article Name
Learn public housing history at Mei Ho House
Description
Heritage of Mei Ho House shows public housing history of Hong Kong
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Easy Hong Kong Private Tour
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