1.
Tung Ping Chau
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Tung Ping Chau is an island in Hong Kong. It was known as Ping Chau, Tung is prepended to the name so as to avoid possible confusion with Peng Chau, another island in Hong Kong with an identically pronounced name in the Cantonese language. Administratively, the island is part of the Tai Po District in the New Territories, geographically, Ping Chau is an offshore island located in the northeast corner of Hong Kong in Mirs Bay, close to the border with Guangdong Province in mainland China. The island has an area of 1.16 km² and consists of shale rock, the island is the most easterly point of the Hong Kong territory and is much closer to mainland China than to the main landmass of Hong Kong. It is close to Nanao of Dapeng, the island has the shape of a kidney bean with its concave side facing northeast. Its name Ping Chau means flat island in Chinese, the highest points on the island are 48 metres in the south and 37 metres in the north. The eastern inner shore of the crescent hugs Ping Chau Hoi with a few beaches, in contrast, the western coast of the island is fairly rocky as a result of the greater wave action taking its toll on the inclined siltstone there. The islands largest village, Sha Tau, is something of a ghost town, a large part of the island is country parkland, with footpaths overgrown with orchids, wild mint, and morning glories. Ping Chau has a checkered history, guns and opium were once smuggled from here, and during the Cultural Revolution many mainlanders swam in hopes of reaching Ping Chau and the freedom of Hong Kong. The now virtually deserted island was home to a thriving fishing and farm community of 3,000 people. The village of Chau Mei was settled by fishermen who sold their catch at Tai Po Market and at Shayuchong, during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, Ping Chau was used as a logistics base for the supply of military resources, including petrol, to the Chinese army. Several allied military leaders were transported to the mainland via the island, in the 1950s, there were about 1,500 people living in the ten villages on the island. Two primary schools were built, Kwan Ying School in Tai Tong, at that time, the economy of the island deteriorated due to the depletion of fishery resources and the termination of trade with the mainland as a consequence of the Korean War. During the Cultural Revolution, political turmoil cut off commerce with the mainland, by the early 1970s, only a few elderly people remained on the island. In 2004, the last permanent resident moved out of Tung Ping Chau, in 2013, the District Offices estimated that Tung Ping Chau had a population of 8. Ping Chau is unique in the fact that it is the only island in Hong Kong made up of sedimentary rock. Hong Kong is mostly formed of igneous rocks, after a series of major volcanoes erupted during the Jurassic Period. It is also home to some spectacular cliffs and wave-cut platforms, landforms such as these are very rarely found in the rest of Hong Kong
2.
Hong Kong
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Hong Kong, officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China, is an autonomous territory on the Pearl River Delta of East Asia. Macau lies across the delta to the west, and the Chinese province of Guangdong borders the territory to the north. With a total area of 1,106 square kilometres. Hong Kong was later occupied by Japan during World War II until British control resumed in 1945, under the principle of one country, two systems, Hong Kong maintains a separate political and economic system from China. Except in military defence and foreign affairs, Hong Kong maintains its independent executive, legislative, in addition, Hong Kong develops relations directly with foreign states and international organisations in a broad range of appropriate fields. Hong Kong is one of the worlds most significant financial centres, with the highest Financial Development Index score and consistently ranks as the worlds most competitive and freest economic entity. As the worlds 8th largest trading entity, its legal tender, Hong Kongs tertiary sector dominated economy is characterised by simple taxation with a competitive level of corporate tax and supported by its independent judiciary system. However, while Hong Kong has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world and it has a very high Human Development Index ranking and the worlds longest life expectancy. Over 90% of the population use of well-developed public transportation. Seasonal air pollution with origins from neighbouring areas of Mainland China. Hong Kong was officially recorded in the 1842 Treaty of Nanking to encompass the entirety of the island, before 1842, the name referred to a small inlet—now Aberdeen Harbour, literally means Little Hong Kong)—between Aberdeen Island and the southern coast of Hong Kong Island. Aberdeen was a point of contact between British sailors and local fishermen. Detailed and accurate romanisation systems for Cantonese were available and in use at the time, fragrance may refer to the sweet taste of the harbours fresh water estuarine influx of the Pearl River or to the incense from factories lining the coast of northern Kowloon. The incense was stored near Aberdeen Harbour for export before Hong Kong developed Victoria Harbour, the name had often been written as the single word Hongkong until the government adopted the current form in 1926. Nevertheless, a number of century-old institutions still retain the form, such as the Hongkong Post, Hongkong Electric. As of 1997, its name is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China. This is the title as mentioned in the Hong Kong Basic Law. Hong Kong has carried many nicknames, the most famous among those is the Pearl of the Orient, which reflected the impressive nightscape of the citys light decorations on the skyscrapers along both sides of the Victoria Harbour
3.
Island
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An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, skerries, an island in a river or a lake island may be called an eyot or ait, and a small island off the coast may be called a holm. A grouping of geographically or geologically related islands is called an archipelago, an island may be described as such, despite the presence of an artificial land bridge. Example, Singapore and its causeway, or the various Dutch delta islands, there are two main types of islands in the sea, continental and oceanic. The word island derives from Middle English iland, from Old English igland, Old English ieg is actually a cognate of Swedish ö and German Aue, and related to Latin aqua. There is a difference between islands and continents in terms of geology, continents sit on continental lithosphere which is part of tectonic plates floating high on Earths mantle. Oceanic crust is also part of tectonic plates, but it is denser than continental lithosphere, Islands are either extensions of the oceanic crust or geologically they are part of some continent sitting on continental lithosphere. This holds true for Australia, which sits on its own continental lithosphere, continental islands are bodies of land that lie on the continental shelf of a continent. A special type of island is the microcontinental island, which is created when a continent is rifted. Examples are Madagascar and Socotra off Africa, the Kerguelen Islands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, another subtype is an island or bar formed by deposition of tiny rocks where water current loses some of its carrying capacity. While some are transitory and may disappear if the volume or speed of the current changes, others are stable, oceanic islands are islands that do not sit on continental shelves. The vast majority are volcanic in origin, such as Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean, the few oceanic islands that are not volcanic are tectonic in origin and arise where plate movements have lifted up the ocean floor above the surface. Examples are Saint Peter and Paul Rocks in the Atlantic Ocean, one type of volcanic oceanic island is found in a volcanic island arc. These islands arise from volcanoes where the subduction of one plate under another is occurring, examples are the Aleutian Islands, the Mariana Islands, and most of Tonga in the Pacific Ocean. The only examples in the Atlantic Ocean are some of the Lesser Antilles, another type of volcanic oceanic island occurs where an oceanic rift reaches the surface. There are two examples, Iceland, which is the second largest volcanic island, and Jan Mayen. A third type of oceanic island is formed over volcanic hotspots. A hotspot is more or less stationary relative to the tectonic plate above it
4.
Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong
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The following is an incomplete list of the over 100 Tin Hau Temples dedicated to Tin Hau in Hong Kong. They include, Tin Hau temple, located at 10 Tin Hau Temple Road, Causeway Bay, east of Victoria Park, in Eastern District, the temple has given its name to the MTR station serving it, and subsequently to the neighboring area of Tin Hau. The Tin Hau temple in Yau Ma Tei is also famous in Hong Kong, the public square, Yung Shue Tau before it is surrounded by the popular Temple Street night market. The Tin Hau Temple at Joss House Bay is considered the most sacred, built in 1266, it is the oldest and the largest Tin Hau Temple in Hong Kong. It is a Grade I historic building, two temples have a marine parade to celebrate the Tin Hau Festival, Tin Hau Temple on Leung Shuen Wan and Tin Hau Temple on Tap Mun, which has it once every ten years. The celebration at Tin Hau Temple, Joss House Bay is attended annually by upwards of 40,000 to 50,000 people, another large celebration takes place at the Tai Shu Ha temple in Yuen Long District. Note 1, Unless otherwise noted, Tin Hau is the deity of the temples listed below. Note 2, A territory-wide grade reassessment of historic buildings is ongoing. The grades listed in the table are based on this update, places of worship in Hong Kong Tsui, Enid. Why Hong Kong makes such a big deal of sea goddess Tin Haus birthday
5.
Hong Kong Observatory
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The Hong Kong Observatory is a weather forecast agency of the government of Hong Kong. The Observatory forecasts the weather and issues warnings on weather-related hazards, the Observatory was established in 1883 as the Hong Kong Observatory by Sir George Bowen, the 9th Governor of Hong Kong, with Dr William Doberck as its first director. Early operations included meteorological and magnetic observations, a service based on astronomical observations. The Observatory was renamed the Royal Observatory, Hong Kong after obtaining a Royal Charter in 1912, the Observatory reverted to its original name in 1997 after the transfer of Hong Kongs sovereignty from the UK to China. The Hong Kong Observatory was built in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon in 1883, Observatory Road in Tsim Sha Tsui is so named based on this landmark. However, due to urbanisation, it is now surrounded by skyscrapers. As a result of greenhouse gas emissions, the reflection of sunlight from buildings. This was demonstrated by the increase in average temperatures recorded by the Observatory between 1980 and 2005. This building, built in 1883, is a rectangular two-storey plastered brick structure, it is characterised by arched windows and it now houses the office of the directorate and to serve as a centre of administration of the Observatory. The building is a monument of Hong Kong since 1984. It is next to the 1883 Building, the Centenary Building, in 1981 the logo was changed to the old coat of arms, and in 1997, with the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong, the current logo was introduced to replace the colonial symbols. Activities organised for the Friends of the Observatory include regular science lectures, newsletters were also published for members once every four months. The Observatory regularly organises visits for the school students. This outreach programme was extended to school students, the elderly. Talks are also organised in school during the winter time. A roving exhibition for the public was also mounted in shopping malls in 2003, to promote understanding of the services provided by the Observatory and their benefits to the community, over 50 press releases were issued and 7 media briefings were held in 2003. From time to time, the Observatory also works closely with schools for a series of events, including with the Geography Society of PLK Vicwood KT Chong Sixth Form College between 2008 and 2009
6.
Ferry
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A ferry is a merchant vessel used to carry passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate regular return services, a passenger ferry with many stops, such as in Venice, Italy, is sometimes called a water bus or water taxi. Ferries form a part of the transport systems of many waterside cities and islands. However, ship connections of much larger distances may also be called ferry services, the profession of the ferryman is embodied in Greek mythology in Charon, the boatman who transported souls across the River Styx to the Underworld. Speculation that a pair of oxen propelled a ship having a wheel can be found in 4th century Roman literature Anonymus De Rebus Bellicis. Though impractical, there is no reason why it could not work and such a ferry, see When Horses Walked on Water, Horse-Powered Ferries in Nineteenth-Century America. The Marine Services Company of Tanzania offers passenger and cargo services in three of the African Great Lakes viz, Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa. It also operates one of the oldest ferries in the region, Ferries from Great Britain also sail to Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Ireland. Some ferries carry mainly tourist traffic, but most also carry freight, in Britain, car-carrying ferries are sometimes referred to as RORO for the ease by which vehicles can board and leave. The busiest single ferry route is across the part of Øresund. Before the Øresund bridge was opened in July 2000, car and car & train ferries departed up to seven times every hour, in 2013, this has been reduced, but a car ferry still departs from each harbor every 15 minutes during daytime. The route is around 2.2 nautical miles and the crossing takes 22 minutes, today, all ferries on this route are constructed so that they do not need to turn around in the harbors. This also means that the ferries lack natural stems and sterns, due to the same circumstances, starboard and port-side are dynamic and depending of in what direction the ferry sails. Despite the short crossing, the ferries are equipped with restaurants, cafeteria, kiosks, large cruiseferries sail in the Baltic Sea between Finland, Åland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Saint Petersburg, Russia and from Italy to Sardinia, Corsica, Spain and Greece. In many ways, these ferries are like cruise ships, also many smaller ferries operate on domestic routes in Finland, Sweden and Estonia. The south-west and southern parts of the Baltic Sea has several routes mainly for heavy traffic, on the longer of these routes, simple cabins are available. In Istanbul, ferries connect the European and Asian shores of Bosphorus, as well as Princes Islands, in 2014 İDO transported 47 million passengers, the largest ferry system in the world. Due to the numbers of freshwater lakes and length of shoreline in Canada
7.
Central and Western District
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The Central and Western District located on northern part of Hong Kong Island is one of the 18 administrative districts of Hong Kong. It had a population of 251,519 in 2011, the district has the most educated residents with the second highest income and the third lowest population due to its relatively small size. Central is the business district and the core urban area of Hong Kong. Western District covers Shek Tong Tsui, Kennedy Town and Sai Ying Pun, and was part of the City of Victoria, Central District, as Victoria City, was the first area of planned urban development in Hong Kong during the colonial era. The British held a sale in June 1841, six months after the flag was raised at Possession Point. A total of 51 lots of land were sold to 23 merchant houses to build offices and warehouses, the property buyers included Dents, Jardines, Russells and Olyphants. At the time, the two roads Albany Nullah and Glenealy Nullah were mainly used by the British, the streets later became known as Government Hill. In 1857, the British government expanded Victoria City and divided it into seven districts and those located in present-day Central and Western are, Sai Ying Pun, Sheung Wan, Tai Ping Shan, Central. The area was essentially a European area until 1860 when Chinese merchants begin buying up European properties around Cochrane, Wellington, the Central district was the principal European business district, hence the arrival of the first major bank HSBC. The Western district was the centre for Chinese businesses. When property values in the rose, a meeting was held in February 1866 to establish a District Watch Force to police. In 1880, Shek Tong Tsui was established, followed by Kennedy Town in the 20th century, by the 1890s the majority of Hong Kongs population was concentrated in the district with about 200,000 residents, mostly in Victoria City. The corresponding body for the district is Central and Western District Council, District council elections are held every four years, the last one was held on November 7,2011, for terms beginning January 1,2012. 15 constituency members are elected while 4 are appointed by the government, the constituency areas are smaller than the commonly used geographic areas, which are in turn based on the old 1857 and 1880 divisions. In Hong Kongs 2011 Census the district population was 251,519, down four percent from 261,884 in the 2001 census, among the 18 districts, Central and Western has the second highest median household income in the territory. In terms of size of households, it is third smallest at 2.8 persons, behind only Wan Chai and Yau Tsim Mong District. Central and Western District has an ethnically diverse population. 83% of the residents are Chinese, and the largest ethnic groups are Filipinos
8.
Hong Kong Island
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Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of Hong Kong. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its density is 16, 390/km². The island had a population of about 3,000 inhabitants scattered in a dozen fishing villages when it was occupied by the United Kingdom in the First Opium War, the Central area on the island is the historical, political and economic centre of Hong Kong. The northern coast of the forms the southern shore of the Victoria Harbour. The island is home to many of the most famous sights in Hong Kong, such as The Peak, Ocean Park, many historical sites, the mountain ranges across the island are also famous for hiking. The northern part of Hong Kong Island, together with Kowloon and Tsuen Wan New Town and their combined area is approximately 88.3 square kilometres and their combined population is approximately 3,156,500, reflecting a population density of 35, 700/km². The island is referred to locally as Hong Kong side or Island side. This style was applied to many locations but is now only heard in this form and Kowloon side. Hong Kong Island comprises the following suburbs/localities of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Island is not part of the Islands District, Hong Kong island became a colony of the British Empire when their forces defeated the Chinese in the First Opium War. The island was populated by only a few thousand people when British empire colonized it, the Second World War was a dark period for Hong Kong. In the 1930s, the British anticipated a Japanese attack on Hong Kong, as Wong Nai Chung Gap was a strategic important place of defence, large-scale defensive works were constructed there, including anti-aircraft batteries, howitzers, and machine gun nests. The Battle of Hong Kong began on 8 December 1941, British, Canadian, Indian armies and the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Forces resisted the Japanese invasion commanded by Sakai Takashi, which began eight hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor. However, the Japanese were able to control of the Hong Kong skies on the first day of attack. The defenders retreated from the Gin Drinkers Line and consequently from Kowloon under heavy aerial bombardment, on 18 December, the Japanese had conquered North Point, reaching Wong Nai Chung Gap on the next day. However, Allied forces there were defeated by the Japanese on 23 December. As Wan Chai Gap had also fallen that day, the British had no choice. Hong Kong was surrendered on 25 December 1941, thereafter often called Black Christmas by locals. The Governor of Hong Kong, Mark Young, surrendered in person at the temporary Japanese headquarters, on the floor of the Peninsula Hotel
9.
Mui Wo
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Mui Wo is a rural town on the eastern coast of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. The 2011 Census recorded 5,485 people living in Mui Wo, Mui Wo is located on Silvermine Bay, so named for the silver mines that were once worked along the Silver River which flows through the village. The main beach in Mui Wo is known as Silver Mine Bay Beach, the town is known for the feral water buffalos and cows that roam the area. Today, it is still the way of reaching South Lantau – from the beaches in Cheung Sha to the fishing village of Tai O. With the opening of Ngong Ping 360 and the new, smoother Tung Chung Road, the recorded history of Mui Wo dates back to the last days of the Southern Song Dynasty. Fleeing south from the invading Mongols, in 1277 the imperial court sought refuge in Silvermine Bay, in March 1278, whilst attempting a further escape from the Mongols, the penultimate Song Dynasty Emperor Duanzong fell from a boat and almost drowned. After his rescue, he became ill and died a few months later at Mui Wo, duanzongs successor, Emperor Huizong of Song was enthroned at Mui Wo on 10 May 1278. A silver and lead mine, close to the settlement of Pak Ngan Heung and Sivermine Waterfall and it had closed by the time China leased the New Territories to Britain in 1898. The main entrance is now called Silvermine Cave, people can only enter the first ten metres or so as the rest of the tunnels have been blocked off for safety reasons, and to prevent disturbance to the rare species of bats who live there. Japanese soldiers killed at least nine people and arrested 300 Mui Wo villagers in the weeks after Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945, many victims were beaten and tortured. Twelve Japanese soldiers who took part in the massacre were convicted of war crimes in 1946, the rest were sentenced to between two and ten years in jail. In their defence, the Japanese soldiers said they had been responding to an attack after Japans capitulation. Their actions were to maintain law and order until they could surrender to Allied forces. The judge rejected their arguments as he said the Mui Wo residents were not responsible for the guerrillas actions. Nearby attractions include Silver Mine Bay Beach, Silver Mine Waterfall, there is a small local museum with old photos of Mui Wo and rural artefacts located behind the Silvermine Bay Resort Hotel, this is only open on Wed, Sat and Sun afternoons. The beach is one of the five gazetted beaches on Lantau, leisure and Cultural Services Department life guards patrol it and there is a shark net to protect swimmers April through October. There were 69,580 visitors during the seven-month-long official bathing season in 2012—an average of 201 on weekdays and 461 on weekends, there were 4,550 visitors on the busiest day, and 16,900 during the busiest month. Heung Yee Kuk New Territories South District Secondary School Closed in 2007, in 2009, residents protested against and blocked a plan for a rehabilitation centre for drug offenders—the Christian Zheng Sheng College—to take over the site
10.
Cheung Chau
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Cheung Chau is an island 10 kilometres southwest of Hong Kong Island. It is nicknamed the island due to its shape. It has been inhabited for longer than most other places in the territory of Hong Kong, administratively, it is part of the Islands District. Geographically the island is formed from two mostly granite masses joined by a tombolo, with an area of 2.45 square kilometres, the island is therefore long, hence the name as translated from Cantonese is Long Island. Thus, it is redundant to say Cheung Chau Island, the island is dumbbell-shaped, with hills at the northern and southern ends and the settlements concentrated in between. The central part of the island is developed with shops. The lane-ways are so narrow that normal motor traffic is impossible, instead, there are small motorised trucks officially termed village vehicles. For example, there are specially designed mini-fire engines, ambulances. Residential areas also exist on the hills of the north and south, traditionally the island was a fishing village and there are still fishing fleets working from the harbour. However, in recent years the island has become a major tourist attraction, offering a mixture of sandy swimming beaches, seafood cafés, and traditional Chinese culture. Under the terms of the 1898 Second Convention of Peking, the New Territories and 200 smaller islands including Cheung Chau were leased to the United Kingdom for 99 years. At that time, Cheung Chau was mainly a fishing village, Cheung Chau had already been settled by people from other places in Southern China, for example, Hoklo, they are mainly fishing people, Hakka people, Chiu Chau, and Yue Ca. From 2000, a spate of suicide cases took place inside rental holiday homes on the island, Hong Kong Chinese-language newspapers soon dubbed the island Death Island and stories concerning apparitions appeared in the wake of news about the succeeding suicides. In 2005 a local councillor Lam Kit-sing proposed a suicide theme-park to be built to capitalise on the islands now macabre reputation and those plans were quickly ridiculed and subsequently rejected. Soon after, the choice of Cheung Chau for would-be suicides tailed off, Temples on Cheung Chau include, Pak Tai Temple – one of the oldest temples in Hong Kong. The temple was built in 1783 and it was demolished and completely rebuilt in 1989. In front of the temple, there are 4 pairs of guarding lions, built in 1993, it is managed by the Chinese Temples Committee. Kwan Kung Chung Yi Ting, a temple built in 1973
11.
New World First Ferry
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New World First Ferry Services is a ferry service company in Hong Kong. The company was established in November 1999, when it took over the eight licensed ferry routes transferred from Hongkong and it is jointly owned by Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and NWS Holdings. When the company commenced its service on 15 January 2000, it bought 14 ferries and rented seven hovercraft, since then it has introduced 10 fast vessels on Outlying Islands routes to phase out the rented vessels and to improve services. In 2011, it was sold to Shun Tak-China Travel Ship Management Limited, media related to New World First Ferry at Wikimedia Commons Company website
12.
Discovery Bay
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Discovery Bay is a mixed, primarily residential, development consisting of upmarket residential development and private and public recreational facilities in Hong Kong. It is situated on the north-eastern coast of Lantau Island in the New Territories, the development spans an area of 650 hectares, and includes two bays, the Tai Pak Bay and Yi Pak Bay. The 2011 census recorded 12,258 people living at DB, DB is located 2 km west of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and approximately 12 km west from the nearest point on Hong Kong Island. DB currently consists of 14 residential development phases with properties ranging from houses to high-rise towers of up to 24 storeys. The development also features a 400-metre-long privately owned beach, four private clubs including a golf club and a marina club. Though DB is considered in Hong Kong to be a low-density development due to the amount of open spaces, pets are allowed in Discovery Bay. The plan called for development, on Lot 385 at Tai Pak Wan, of membership club houses and a leisure resort and associated facilities which shall include an hotel or hotels. In addition, HKR handed over HK$61.5 million in exchange for the grant, inc. facing the same creditor demanding US$22.12 million in proceedings in Panama. The Cha family, up to better known for its exploits running China Dyeing Works Ltd. After retiring from government, in 2000 Akers-Jones joined the board of Mingly Corporation, unlike other large Hong Kong developments, everything in DB was built with private money, including roads, electricity and the water supply. Even the government-operated fire and police stations and the local primary school were built by the developer. DB was developed in phases and the developer, HKR, envisages that DB will eventually be home to 25,000 residents, DB Plaza is also has many international themed restaurants, bars and food outlets. However, this falls far short of the obligation to provide them under the Land Grant, Outline Zoning Plan. A Community Centre / Indoor Recreation Centre was finally completed in 2007 and it was handed over to government-appointed operators in April 2009. DB is a fifteen-minute to twenty-five-minute bus ride from Tung Chung, DBRC members are automatically members of Club Siena. Debentures of DBMC and DBGC are traded in the secondary market, the Marina opens into Nim Shue Wan, a bay to the south of DB. There is also a landing stage for cargo boats and privately operated kat-to ferries that link DB to nearby Peng Chau Island. Kai-tos replaced the ferry to Mui Wo operated by Discovery Bay Transportation Services Limited
