The road was named after Sir George Bowen, an Ulsterman who served as the 9th Governor of Hong Kong from 1883 to 1885.

An aqueduct was built to transfer from Tai Tam to Central via Wong Nai Chung Gap and Happy Valley.

The scenic views and rambles make Bowen Road extremely popular with dog walkers, particularly among Hong Kong's expatriate community.

The last British governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, also nearly fell victim, with his Norfolk terrier Whisky made seriously ill from consumption of poisoned chicken.

[1] Some have speculated that previous dog owners may have left their charges off leads and allowed them to defecate on the many Chinese graves that are accessible from Bowen Road, offending someone.