The wartime stoves
In October 1938, Guangzhou fell under Japanese occupation. Preparing for an imminent attack on Hong Kong, the Hong Kong government put in place various measures. These included preparing food rationing, heightening air raid precautions and first-aid training, and building shelters in densely populated areas.
On the north-western slopes of Mt. Parker, within the boundaries of the Quarry Bay Country Park Extension, several groups of outdoor stoves from this period are still in existence. These are the only known ruins of communal stoves in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong fell into enemy hands in only eighteen days, so the communal stoves never served their purpose. After the war, as this part of the Eastern District was not affected by urban development, the stoves remained. Today, they have become unusual memorials of a wartime past. The stove areas are used nowadays as exercise and picnic areas. The stoves area I have selected for this cache, with its tall bamboo gardens, is particularly peaceful.
[Information adapted from gwulo.com and public signage]
Getting there
This specific wartime stoves site can be accessed from the end of the Wilson Trail section 2, a.k.a Quarry Bay Tree Walk. The quickest access from the city is to take the MTR to Taikoo, walk up Greig Road and take the Wilson Trail from there (listed waypoint). After passing Kornhill Barbecue Site, the path branches off to the left. The site is at the top of some steps. The terrain rating and attributes for this cache are based on the assumption that you will take this route. There are also some paths coming downhill from Mt. Parker, however please be aware that these are difficult and indistinct.
After finding the cache at this site, two other groups of stoves can easily be visited nearby by returning to the Wilson Trail / Quarry Bay Tree Walk and following signs to Mt. Parker Road. The tree walk ends at this road; from there you can walk down to Quarry Bay or up to Mount Parker.
The cache
The cache is not at the given coordinates; the coordinates simply bring you to this place. Once you arrive, find the guardian by solving the riddle. The guardian is somewhere at this stoves site and the cache is close to him.
The cache is a camouflaged lock-n-lock type container. There is no need to climb on any of the damaged structures or tamper with the guardian himself. Please exercise due stealth and care regarding the cache’s hiding place. Finally please do not post spoiler photos of the guardian or the hiding place. Thank you.
The guardian’s riddle
The guardian watches the stoves
To his left stands a tall bamboo grove
On his right grows a tree
At his back flows a stream
On his sword side lies hidden the trove