Lai Chi Kok originally referred to the cape, which was round like a lychee protruding into the harbour. This is the origin of the name ‘Lai Chi Kok’. This place has a long history in terms of recreation and amusement and was a hot spot for swimming even before the Second World War. On 22 May 1948, the largest amusement park in Kowloon was built at Kau Wah Keng Village, and called ‘Lai Chi Yuen Amusement Park’ (later named ‘Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park’). The golden era of Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park was from the 1960s to the 1980s; and it encompassed a complete range of facilities, including a theatre, ice-skating rink, bowling alleys, a zoo and Sung Dynasty Village. Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park played a role in the growth of many local residents, and was finally closed in 1997.

The origin of the name ‘Mei Foo’ is related to the history of industry in the area. In 1928, Mobil Gas Lamp Company Ltd. (later known as Mobil Gas Company Ltd.) built a petroleum storage tank by Lai Chi Kok Bay (the present Mount Sterling Mall) to provide Hong Kong with gas. In 1965, Mei Foo Investments Limited planned to relocate the petroleum storage tank and build Mei Foo Sun Chuen. The estate was finally completed in 1978. Mei Foo Sun Chuen is the earliest large-scale private housing estate, and boasted an advanced community concept and facilities. The provision included embedded cables, a central LP Gas supply system and hot water switches etc., which had long-standing effects on the development of private housing of this kind in Hong Kong.