Nestled in the serene hills of Tai Po, Hong Kong, Bride's Pool is a picturesque spot that draws hikers and nature lovers with its tranquil waters and cascading waterfalls. However, beneath its serene surface lies a tale of tragedy and loss, whispered through generations, casting a haunting shadow over this idyllic location.
The legend of Bride's Pool dates back to the early 20th century, during the colonial era of Hong Kong. It was a time when traditional Chinese customs were deeply ingrained in the lives of the villagers. In a small, close-knit village near the pool, a young woman named Li Mei was set to marry the love of her life, Chen Wei. Their love story was the talk of the village, and their wedding day was to be a grand celebration of joy and union.
On the morning of her wedding day, Mei was the epitome of beauty and grace, dressed in a vibrant red cheongsam that symbolized happiness and good fortune. Her long black hair was adorned with intricate hairpins, and her eyes sparkled with anticipation. As was tradition, she was carried in a beautifully decorated sedan chair to her new home, accompanied by a procession of family and friends.
The journey to the wedding venue took them along a winding path that skirted the edge of Bride's Pool. The water shimmered under the mid-morning sun, and the sound of the cascading waterfall added a serene backdrop to the festive occasion. However, fate had a different plan. As the sedan bearers navigated the narrow, slippery path, disaster struck. One of the bearers lost his footing on the slick rocks, causing the entire sedan to tilt precariously. In the ensuing chaos, Mei was thrown into the cold, unforgiving waters of the pool.
Panic ensued as the procession desperately tried to rescue her. Despite their best efforts, Mei was swept away by the strong currents. The villagers searched tirelessly for her, but her body was never recovered. The once joyous occasion turned into a day of mourning, and the village was left with only her memory and an ever-present sense of sorrow.
For decades, the story of Mei’s tragic end remained a somber tale told by the locals, a cautionary reminder of the pool’s dangers. But over time, sightings of a mysterious figure began to surface. Hikers and visitors to Bride's Pool spoke of a woman in a red cheongsam, often seen at dusk, brushing her hair by the water’s edge.
The first documented sighting occurred in the late 1960s when a group of teenagers on a night hike claimed to have seen a woman in red. She was sitting by the pool, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders as she methodically brushed it with a silver comb. The teenagers, initially thinking she was a late-night visitor like themselves, approached to offer assistance. As they drew closer, the woman lifted her head, revealing hollow, sorrowful eyes. She vanished into the mist before their very eyes, leaving the group terrified and convinced they had encountered Mei’s restless spirit.
Since then, numerous reports have followed, each eerily similar. Some have seen her reflection in the water, only to turn and find no one there. Others have heard the soft sound of a comb running through hair, accompanied by a faint, mournful humming. The air grows cold and thick with a palpable sense of sorrow, as if the very ground remembers the tragedy that occurred.
One particularly chilling account came from a local tour guide named Mr. Wong. He had been leading a group of tourists through the scenic trails around the pool when they decided to take a break by the water. As they sat, enjoying the serene beauty of the place, they noticed a woman in red on the opposite bank. She was brushing her hair, her movements slow and deliberate. The group watched in fascination until she suddenly stopped and looked directly at them. Her eyes, dark and empty, seemed to pierce through their very souls. In an instant, she was gone, leaving the tourists and Mr. Wong in a state of shock and fear.
Local historians have tried to verify the details of Mei’s story. While records from that time are sparse, the oral history passed down through the villagers provides a hauntingly consistent narrative. Mei’s tale has become an indelible part of the local culture, a tragic reminder of love lost and the enduring presence of those who die with unfinished business.
Efforts to document and debunk the sightings have been met with mixed results. Skeptics dismiss these tales as mere folklore, fueled by the eerie beauty of the pool and the power of suggestion. However, even they find it hard to explain the recurring nature of these sightings, the consistency of the descriptions, and the genuine fear in the eyes of those who have witnessed the apparition.
Despite these chilling encounters, Bride's Pool remains a popular destination, its natural beauty drawing visitors year-round. But as dusk falls and the shadows lengthen, there are those who feel an uneasy presence by the water. They whisper of the bride in red, eternally brushing her hair, waiting for the wedding day that was cruelly stolen from her.