[About Hong Kong] An urban legend about the Sai Kung Barrier in Hong Kong

The Sai Kung Barrier (西貢結界) is a widely circulated urban legend in Hong Kong, originating from a number of hiking-related disappearances in the area around Tai Mun Shan (大蚊山) on the Sai Kung Peninsula. These include the 2005 disappearance of off-duty police officer Ting Li-wah (丁利華), and the 2016 case of Cheung Sin-pang (張善鵬). According to the legend, there is a mystical 'barrier' in the Sai Kung region. Hikers who enter it are unable to leave, leading to the strange phenomenon of 'entry without exit'.

Disappearance Cases

The following incidents are said to be related to this so-called 'barrier':

Disappearance of Off-duty Officer Ting Li-wah

On 11th September 2005, Hong Kong police officer Ting Li-wah, while off duty, went hiking alone on the MacLehose Trail in Sai Kung. He was last known to have stopped at a village store in Sai Wan (西灣) to borrow a phone, after which the police control centre received a distress call from him. A major search was launched, involving 2,000 police officers and volunteers, including a group of hikers who would later form the Volunteer Countryside Search Team. To this day, Ting remains missing.

The case drew significant public attention and became shrouded in mystery due to the strange content of Ting's phone call, in which he reportedly mentioned an unknown 'code' and suddenly cried for help.

Disappearance of Cheung Sin-pang

On 18th June 2016, Cheung Sin-pang went hiking in the Sai Kung area. He made a phone call to his wife in the evening, after which he went missing. Four days later, on 21st June, he was found by rescuers at Ham Tin Wan (鹹田灣). Cheung later posted on Facebook on 3rd July describing his four day ordeal. His bizarre account led to much public speculation.

Explanation

Tommy, a member of the Volunteer Countryside Rescue Team, believes the idea of a 'barrier' is implausible. He argues that police and search parties have combed the area numerous times, yet no one has ever 'fallen into' such a barrier. He suggests that the disappearances are more likely the result of hikers straying from designated government hiking routes and subsequently getting lost due to disorientation.

English description for Cheung's Facebook post content 　 Day 1: He was following his planned hiking route when he noticed the weather deteriorating, so he decided to descend the mountain earlier than scheduled. However, he suddenly lost consciousness while walking through waist-high shrubbery, and only regained awareness at around 20:00. Seeing several missed calls from family members on his phone, he decided to find  a way out as quickly as possible – but soon realised he was completely lost. No matter which direction he walked, it felt as though he was just circling the same spot. After exhausting his food supplies, he decided to rest in a nearby valley – only to lose his mobile phone soon afterwards. 　 Day 2: He continued searching for a way down and came across a stream, where he unexpectedly saw two hikers. He called out to them repeatedly, but they didn't respond at all. Curious and desperate, he ran towards them – only for the two figures to vanish the moment he got close. With no other option, he remained by the stream to rest. 　 Day 3: Upon waking, he found himself in a completely unfamiliar location. Even the lighter he had placed by his side the night before had disappeared. Venturing into the forest, he came across what appeared to be a cemetery. Thinking that where are graves, there must be paths, he began walking towards it – until a sudden realisation struck him, 'there shouldn't be any cemeteries around the Sai Wan area of Sai Kung!' Alarmed, he fled the scene, only to turn back and find the cemetery had vanished without a trace. As walked further, he came upon the same stream again. This time, there were people playing in the water. But just like the day before, they disappeared the moment he approached. 　 Day 4: Cheung awoke once again to a changed environment. Determined to climb to higher ground, he pressed forward, even when he once again encountered mysterious figures and the same stream. Without pausing, he made his way steadily uphill. Eventually, he reached Four Pools (四疊潭), and was finally able to escape the ordeal.