The butterflies lived in a forest, which was destroyed as part of the Japanese military's efforts to obtain wood.

On the lower section of the valley, there is a demolished squatter town named Wai Man Tsuen (衛民村).

The Cheung Sha Wang Roman Catholic Cemetery and Yew Chung International School of Hong Kong are located on the side above Piper's Hill.

Its upper course was blocked to collect water for the Kowloon Reservoirs, while its lower course has become a covered nullah under Butterfly Valley Road on the border between Lai Chi Kok and Cheung Sha Wan.

Despite its proximity to Lai Chi Kok, a large part of valley belongs to Kwai Tsing District.