Penny's Bay, Area of Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Penny's Bay is a reclaimed land site in Hong Kong that functioned as a large-scale quarantine and treatment center from 2020 to 2023 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The site features flat, open terrain with simple functional buildings and contained up to 9,000 prefabricated units, each equipped with beds, bathrooms, and air conditioning.
Penny's Bay was created through land reclamation and converted into a quarantine center in July 2020 after just four months of construction, with workers quickly assembling it to manage the growing pandemic. The facility closed in March 2023 after housing thousands of patients with mild symptoms and close contacts of infected individuals, serving approximately 270,000 people in total.
Penny's Bay holds a significant place in Hong Kong's collective memory as a symbol of how the city responded to a major health crisis. The site's role as a quarantine center became part of the shared experience of many residents, shaping how people remember this period.
The terrain is flat and easy to navigate, though it offers little natural vegetation or shaded areas, so bring sun protection and water when visiting. The site is best explored on foot since the spaces are expansive and buildings are spread out, allowing clear views of the overall layout and structure.
Despite its former role as a pandemic facility, the site has remained remarkably quiet and empty, creating a stark contrast to the hectic period when it housed over 8,000 people simultaneously. This shift from extreme activity to stillness serves as a powerful testament to Hong Kong's ability to rapidly adapt to crisis and then withdraw.
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