Route 2 - Wan Chai Expo East - Convention Centre - Royal Park - Causeway Bay Victoria Park Flashcards
Route 2 - Points to mention
(Expo Drive East - Convention Avenue - Hung Hing Road - Victoria Park Road)
6 sites - 7 minutes
- Wan Chai (front)
- Wan Chai Promenade (left)
- Cross Harbour Tunnel (left)
- Noonday Gun (left)
- Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (left)
- Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter (left)
Unique features of the Wan Chai Waterfront Promenade
1. What:
* The promenade is a scenic walkway all along Victoria Harbour from Kennedy town in the west to Northpoint in the east, with the Convention Center acting as a centerpiece.
* It features stunning views of the skyline, seating areas, landscaped greenery, and public art installations.
* It also serves as a venue for community events and cultural exhibitions.
* The Wan Chai Waterfront Promenade is enjoyed by locals, tourists, families, joggers, pet-owners and photographers.
2. How:
* The promenade was created in various phases through urban redevelopment and land reclamation projects.
* It incorporates modern design elements, sustainable landscaping, and connectivity with adjacent urban areas and transport links.
3. Why:
* Enhancing of the waterfront experience for residents and visitors,
* Providing a space for relaxation, leisure, and community engagement.
* Showcasing Hong Kong’s urban and natural beauty.
4. When:
* The promenade is accessible year-round, with no specific opening hours as it is a public space.
* Best times to visit are during sunrise or sunset for beautiful views, or
* During festivals and events like the Symphony of Lights or the Mid-Autumn Festival.
District Wan Chai
1. Location:
* Northern shore of Hong Kong Island,
* Between Admirality and Causeway Bay.
2. History:
* Wan Chai means “Little Bay” in Cantonese, reflecting its origin as a small coastal village. Most of the population were fishermen.
* After the colony in Hong Kong was established, Wan Chai became a major Chinese settlement and one of Hong Kong’s earliest developed areas.
* It also served British colonial military base, and was once known for its nightlife and red-light district in the mid-20th century.
3. Currently:
* Wan Chai is densely populated and one of the busiest commercial areas in Hong Kong with offices of many small and medium-sized companies.
* The area offers now a vibrant mix of old and new; skyscrapers, heritage sites, markets, and nightlife.
Cross Harbour Tunnel
Significance:
* Hong Kong’s first underwater tunnel connecting the two major regions of Hong Kong - Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.
* Built by a private enterprise at a cost of HK$320 million, construction took three years and opened in August 1972.
* Before the tunnel was built, vehicle transport was restricted to t vehicular ferries which was slow, with long wait times due to limited ferry capacity and increasing vehicle ownership. Also bad weather (e.g., typhoons) disrupted ferry operations, effectively isolating the two regions temporarily.
* Toll was HK$5 per car crossing. After just three and a half years of operation, the operator had recouped the construction costs.
Key Features:
* Total length: 1.86 kilometers (1.16 miles).
* Twin tubes with two lanes in each direction.
* Approximately 25 meters below Victoria Harbour.
**Currently: **
* Handles approximately 110,000 vehicles daily.
* One of the most congested roads in Hong Kong.
* Tolls vary by time period and vehicle type.
* Popular with buses, taxis, and private vehicles; avoid peak hours due to heavy traffic.
* Alternative routes include Eastern Harbour Crossing and Western Harbour Tunnel, but the Cross-Harbour Tunnel is the most popular due to its entrances being located in major areas - Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay.
Noonday Gun
1. Overview:
* A ceremonial gun that is fired daily at noon by Jardine Matheson staff, accompanied by a short ritual that includes the ringing of a bell.
* It is a quirky and historic tradition that attracts tourists and locals alike.
* Represents Hong Kong’s maritime and colonial heritage.
* Offers a glimpse into a historic and eccentric local tradition that has endured for over a century.
2. Location: Near the waterfront in Causeway Bay.
3. Historical Facts:
* Originates from the early 19th century when Jardine Matheson, a prominent trading company, controlled the area.
* According to legend, the tradition began after a senior British naval officer was annoyed by the company’s private cannon salute for arriving senior executives, because such a salute was normally reserved for government officials and senior officers of the armed services.
* As a result, the company was ordered to fire the cannon daily at noon as a penalty.
* The tradition continued even after World War II, becoming a unique symbol of Hong Kong’s colonial past.
* Although British rule ended in Hong Kong in 1997, the tradition of the noonday gun is continued by Jardine Matheson.
* Other than noon, the gun is also fired by a Jardines official at midnight every New Year’s Day to celebrate the new year.
4. Tour Guide Tips:
* Visitors can witness the ceremony free of charge.
* Easily accessible from Victoria Park or Causeway Bay MTR Station.
* Recommend visitors arrive slightly before noon to secure a good viewing spot.
Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
1. What:
* Watersports club for sailing and rowing including paddling.
* Established in 1894.
* One of Hong Kong’s oldest and one of the world’s largest yacht clubs with over 10,000 members.
2. History:
* Established in 1894
* Originally located in Victoria Harbour on Kellett Island.
* Following land reclamation the island is now part of Causeway Bay, forming the western boundary of the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter.
* The club moved there in 1938, and the clubhouse was built in International Modern style in 1939 on the foundations of the old Naval Powder Magazine.
* The building has been listed as a Grade III historic building since 22 January 2010.
* Early members were British only.Until the 1950s membership was exclusively reserved for Europeans. Women were not allowed to be full members until 1977. Today, membership is open to all.
3. Events:
* The club hosts numerous local and international sailing and rowing events, boosting Hong Kong’s reputation in international sports.
* Biggest yearly event of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club is the Rolex China Sea Race covering approx. 565 nautical miles (ca. 10,000 km). The race begins in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong, and ends in Subic Bay, Philippines
* Another significant annual event organized by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) is the Around the Island Race, which dates back to 1889, covering 26 nautical miles (ca. 50 km).
* Start and finish Victoria Harbour, around Hong Kong Island, clockwise or counterclockwise direction, depending on wind conditions.
* Open to a wide range of boats, including dinghies, keelboats, and multihulls, making it one of the most inclusive sailing event in Hong Kong.
Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter
1. Establishment and Purpose::
* Completed in 1883, the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter was Hong Kong’s first such facility, built in response to a devastating typhoon in 1874 that damaged or destroyed nearly every vessel in the harbor.
* Originally located where Victoria Park stands today, it was designed to protect fishing boats during storms.
2. Relocation and Reclamation:
* In 1953, the shelter was moved northward to its current location to make way for the construction of Victoria Park.
3. Cultural Significance:
* During the 1950s and 1960s, the shelter became known as the “floating nightclub district,” featuring live music, dining, and nightlife on food boats.
* It gained fame for dishes like typhoon shelter crab, boat congee, and fried noodles, leading to the nickname “Floating Shanghai Street.”
4. Modern Usage:
* Today, the shelter accommodates both traditional fishing boats and modern luxury yachts, creating a striking visual contrast.
* It remains a testament to Hong Kong’s maritime heritage and cultural evolution.
