The earliest history referring to Hang Hau was in the 19th century. It was an agricultural and fishing village. Hang Hau got its name from a large water channel near Mang Kung Uk (孟公屋) that led to the sea. In days gone by, Hang Hau was on the sea front, facing Junk Bay. Many of the village names in Hang Hau reflect this – Shui Bin Village (水邊村) means Waterside Village, for example.
Between the 1960s and 1980s, Hang Hau was a large ship scrapyard area. Since there was a ferry from Junk Bay to Island East Hong Kong, Hong Kong Oxygen Company started building factories in Hang Hau. Manufacturing business and trading services were established.
Long before the development of Tseung Kwan O New Town, Hang Hau was near settlements such as Hang Hau Village, Boon Kin Village and Tin Ha Wan Village. Most of the Villages were relocated at the current site near the Tseung Kwan O Hospital, which were moved after the new town's development. Now, about two-thirds of Hang Hau is on reclaimed land, and the sea is far away.
Housing
Indigenous three storey village houses still can be found in the eastern edge of Hang Hau. Nowadays, Hang Hau is fully built-out with private and public estates owing to the development of Tseung Kwan O New Town.
Prior to the development of Tseung Kwan O New Town, one may drive to Hang Hau via Clear Water Bay Road and Hang Hau Road. Later, when Tseung Kwan O was developed into a new town, Po Lam Road was extended into Hang Hau, providing a road link to Sau Mau Ping.
