How to Get to the Abandoned Church Hidden in the Mountains of Ma On Shan

Kamal Mirwani

Published

August 11, 2024

Blog: History & Culture

Blog: Urban Exploration

Essential Information
The History of Ma On Shan Village
The Two Churches of Ma On Shan Village
How to Get to the Abandoned Church
What Does the Abandoned Church Look Like Today?
How to Get to Ma On Shan Village by Bus
How to Get to Ma On Shan Village by Taxi
How to Walk to Ma On Shan Village
Getting Back

Essential Information About the Ma On Shan Abandoned Church

Address: Ma On Shan Village

Chinese Address: 馬鞍山村總站

Saint Joseph's Chapel Google Maps Location

Opening Hours: The abandoned church is located in Ma On Shan Village, close to where people still live. Do not go there at night since there are plenty of village guard dogs who might see you as a threat and bite.

The History of Ma On Shan Village

Ma On Shan Village back in the day (I'm uncertain when this photo was taken)

A newspaper clipping from 1905 about the Mine's origins

A newspaper clipping from the Hong Kong Telegraph from Sept 1905 about the Mine's origins

Working conditions within the mine

Aerial photos from 1956 show Man On Shan Village's proximity to the mine

Aerial photos from 1956 show Ma On Shan Village's proximity to the mine

A railway system was built to make transporting ore much easier while the mine was in operation

Ma On Shan Village has a rich history closely tied to the Ma On Shan Iron Mine, which is what allowed it to flourish back in the day. The mine operated from from the early 1900s until its closure in 1976, was primarily known for extracting iron ore, particularly magnetite. This site became a significant player in Hong Kong's industrial landscape, with estimated reserves of around 7 million tons of iron ore.

Initially, the mine was an opencast site managed by the Hong Kong Iron Mining Co. Ltd., but it transitioned to underground mining in 1953 under the Mutual Mining and Trade Company, in collaboration with Japan's Nittetsu Mining Company.

The mine's production peaked between 1949 and 1976, during which it yielded approximately 3 million tons of iron ore, mainly exported to Japan to support its burgeoning steel industry. During this period, the mine employed 1,500 workers and supported a community of between 6,000 and 10,000 residents in the surrounding village.

It was around this period of time that the churches of Ma On Shan village were constructed to serve the expanding local population.

Despite its initial success, the Ma On Shan Mine eventually became uncompetitive due to falling ore prices and the rise of larger mines elsewhere. By March 1976, the mine ceased operations, leading to a decline in the local population as former workers and their families left in search of new opportunities.

The Two Churches of Ma On Shan Village

The Lutheran Yan Kwong Church, which is still in use today

St. Joseph's Chapel, which has fallen into disrepair and is abandoned

Ma On Shan Village is actually home to two churches, though they share very different fates. St. Joseph's Chapel and the Lutheran Yan Kwong Church were both established during the mining boom of the 1950s and served as vital religious and communal centers for the local community, particularly for the miners and their families who settled in the area.

St. Joseph's Chapel (Abandoned)

Inaugurated in April 1952, St. Joseph's Chapel was part of a larger complex that included a primary school, kindergarten, clinic, and convent. This church played a crucial role in the spiritual life of the community, providing a place for worship and social gatherings. However, after the mine's closure in 1976, the church gradually fell into disuse, ceasing regular services by 1981 and ultimately closing in 1999. The church complex has since become vacant, reflecting the decline of the village's population.

Lutheran Yan Kwong Church (Still in Use)

Conversely, the Lutheran Yan Kwong Church, inaugurated in June 1952, has experienced a more dynamic history. Initially part of a complex that included a school and other facilities, the church adapted over the years. After the mining operations ceased, the church complex was repurposed into a campsite and later revitalized in 2015 as a community hall and cultural center. This transformation has allowed the church to continue serving the remaining local community, while simultaneously highlighting the history and culture of Ma On Shan Village.

How to Get to the Abandoned Church

This GPX file and the map below show how to get to St. Joseph's Chapel from the bus stop at Ma On Shan Village.

St. Joseph's Chapel GPX

Once you arrive at Ma On Shan Village, take the little path toward the village houses

Cross the little bridge and head to the right (toward the stairs)

Cross the short bridge and head to the right (toward the stairs)

Climb the stairs

At the top of the stairs, go straight and follow the rusty fence

At the top of the stairs, go straight and follow the fence on your left

This is the path you should take with the fence on your left

Climb the stairs at the end of the path on your right

At the top of the stairs, go straight

Keep going past the village houses

Head past the Lutheran Yan Kwong Church

Continue through the village (stay on the same path as the Lutheran church)

Keep a lookout for the green railings!

Climb the stairs with the green railings beside them

The entrance to the abandoned church is at the top of the stairs

The entire journey from the bottom of the village to the abandoned church takes no more than 10 minutes.

As long as you follow the instructions above, you should be able to find St. Joseph's Chapel just fine.

Be sure to be respectful when traveling through the village (especially if you go on a weekday) and do not trespass on people's private property.

What Does St. Joseph's Chapel Look Like Today?

The church looks quite dramatic and dilapidated from the outside

I imagine it must have looked quite beautiful in the 1950s and 1960s

Sadly, it's in complete disrepair today

There's a balcony within the church, perhaps where the priest would stand to deliver sermons

There's a definite haunting beauty to the place even after all these years of neglect

I appreciated the haunting beauty of the church even after all these years of neglect

Jeez, I said haunting beauty, not haunt my nightmares! Imagine seeing this at night!

I guess there was once a caretaker of some sort living here

A lot of the old furniture has been cast aside to rot

Here's a better look at how the old furniture is piled together in various corners of the church

Even some of the fancier old doors have been left to decompose outside

There was a medical room attached to the church. Here you can see hundreds of medicine bottles strewn about on the floor

Round back, you'll find some other interesting architecture

Including a mysterious gate that's falling apart

It's evident that nature is determined to claim much of the church

It's evident that nature is determined to reclaim much of the church

It's really cool how the roots and vines are now an integral part of the church's aesthetic and structure

I'm not sure who was sitting here and why they were staring at the wall

There are several structures that stand independently from the main church building

I don't know why, but this just looks incredibly creepy to me. Probably from my overconsumption of horror films

Here are a few more structures that stood slightly apart from the church

If you decide to explore the church, please remember that it is located in a village that's still in use today. There are guard dogs that belong to the properties nearby and if you're skulking about at night, you could be perceived as a threat and get bitten.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you should not take anything you see from the church. Such places are an important part of the city's history and should be left as is for future generations to enjoy.

If my logical side doesn't appeal to you, on a superstitious level, you don't really want to steal from a church. I reckon that's going to impart some kind of bad mojo on you.

How to Get to Ma On Shan Village by Bus

To get to the NR84 bus stop, leave Ma On Shan MTR through Exit B

After entering the mall, turn right and walk past the pair of escalators heading upward

After the escalators, you'll see a sign pointing you to the bus stop

Head down the escalators beside the brown sign

Leave through the glass doors into the bus terminus

The bus stop is just under this pedestrian flyover

Look for the yellow bus sign

By far, the most convenient way to get to Ma On Shan Village is via the NR84 village bus. The journey takes about 15 minutes and you should get off at the last stop. The bus is extremely infrequent, so try to time your trip well or else, you'll be walking there (or back), which takes about an hour and a half.

NR84 BUS SCHEDULE:

From Ma On Shan Station

Daily: 8.00 a.m., 9.00 a.m. **, 9.30 a.m., 10.30 a.m., 1.00 p.m., 4.00 p.m., 4.40 p.m., ∆∆ 5.30 p.m., 7.00 p.m.

From Ma On Shan Village

Daily 7.00 a.m., 8.30 a.m., 10.00 a.m., 11.30 a.m., 12.00 p.m.**, 1.30 p.m., 3.00 p.m.**, 4.30 p.m., ∆ 5.00 p.m., 6.00 p.m.

How to Get to Ma On Shan Village by Taxi

Take a taxi from Ma On Shan station (or anywhere else) and tell the driver you want to go to Ma On Shan Village: 馬鞍山村

How to Walk to Ma On Shan Village from the MTR Station

Take Exit A2 into the shopping center at Ma On Shan MTR Station

Turn right when you enter the shopping mall

Head out through the exit a few meters away

Take the stairs down to the road

Follow Sai Sha Road in the same direction as the stairs

Cross the road about 50 meters ahead

Take the pedestrian subway

Go right at this sign (towards Ma On Shan Town Centre)

Take the left exit right after the sign

Keep following Ma On Shan Road until you arrive at a roundabout

Go left at the roundabout and follow Ma On Shan Tsuen Road as it inclines upward

Follow the Ma On Shan Tsuen Road sign

Keep following the concrete road as it winds upward

Continue forward as the road narrows

It's quite a long way and pretty steep, but there are a few interesting things to check out on the way up

Continue past Ma On Shan Barbecue Site

Take the right path at the fork (past the "8" sign)

Follow the road

Go in the direction of the "Ma On Shan Country Trail" sign

At the next fork in the road, take a right (where my friend is standing). You'll arrive at Ma On Shan Village shortly after.

This is the village bus stop

You'll be able to see Ma On Shan Village just beyond

Ma On Shan Station to Ma On Shan Village GPX

Walking to Ma On Shan Village from Ma On Shan MTR Station takes about an hour and a half and includes a relatively steep incline. While much of the route is shaded, unless you are keen on getting in a good amount of exercise as part of your adventure, I'd suggest taking the bus or a taxi.

Getting Back

You can walk back or take the bus. It's very difficult to find a taxi or Uber willing to pick you up from the village, so make sure to plan your departure carefully.

Below is the departure schedule of the NR84 village bus from Ma On Shan Village.