Nam Koo Terrace, 55 Ship St, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

(Otherwise known as The Wan Chai Haunted House)

This two-storied red brick building was built between1915 and1921 for a wealthy Shanghai family by the name of To. However, at onset of the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong the family was forced to leave the building, and it is said that the home was then used as a military brothel or “comfort house” from 1941 to 1945. Many other homes in this area were also used as brothels by the Japanese during this period. The To family owned this property until 1988 when it was sold and in 1993 it was under a demolition order to make way for a Mega Tower Hotel project. Despite the hotel proposal gaining Government approval in 1994 the building has remained to this day. It still stands vacant, and it appears that the intention is now to preserve the historical site as it is of cultural and architectural significance. Stemming from Hong Kongs Colonial Era the building was designed as a European-style house incorporating elements of both Eastern and Western architectural styles. It is sometimes referred to as “the red house” due to the external walls having been constructed with red bricks. Today, the building exists in a ruined state due to the effects of corrosion suffered during the Japanese invasion and ineffective preservation. There are also many sites of historical importance in the area including the Hung Shing Temple and the Wan Chai Market. In fact, Nam Koo Terrace is one of 15 sites which form the Wan Chai Heritage Trail.

There are many stories and rumours about this home. The crumbling building is said to be haunted by the unfortunate souls of women who died there while serving at the military brothel during the Japanese occupation and there have been reports of several sightings of apparitions of these women seen around the premises. These comfort women are also said to be heard crying and screaming at times. Others have reported seeing “ghostly flames” in the house. There was a newspaper story in 2003 about 8 school students who decided to stay overnight in the house in an attempt to see the ghosts who were said to reside there. Apparently, three of the students became “emotionally unstable” after being attacked by ghosts and were admitted to hospital to receive psychiatric treatment over it. Naturally these stories cause a lot of interest in the building and the stories about what goes on there have become folklore in the area.

Of course, when Paranormal Researchers NZ investigator, Ian Quigley was in Hong Kong he made sure to get some photos of this notorious building for our followers. It was dark and raining at the time, but we hope you enjoy them nonetheless.