Route 24 - Des Voeux Road West (Western Police Station)－Connaught Road Central (Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal)

Question 1

Route 24 - Points to Mention:

(Des Voeux Road West (Western Police Station)－Connaught Road Central (Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal))

This section ends at Wui Tat Centre

2 sites + 3 HK-related topics - 10 minutes

Answer 1

1. Western District
2. Western Police Station (right)
3. Commercial Development in Western District and Dried Seafood Stores
4. Trams
5. Transport in Hong Kong

Question 2

Western District

Answer 2

This area belongs to the Island’s Western District.

1. Location & Accessibility:
* Covers Sai Ying Pun, Shek Tong Tsui, Kennedy Town, and part of Sheung Wan.
* Opened in 2014, the MTR Island Line extension improved access, leading to gentrification and rising property values.

2. Historical Background:
* Once a dumping ground in the 19th century, home to an abattoir, morgue, mental asylum, and brothels.
* Excluded from the main city, it became a thriving Chinese commercial area with easy harbour access.
* Previously, Shek Tong Tsui was once famous for being a red-light district associated with gambling and drugs, but in 1935, the Hong Kong government legislated to ban prostitution, ending this brief period.

3. Cultural & Culinary Highlights:
* Dried Seafood Street (Des Voeux Road West) – Bustling with traditional shops.
* Connaught Road West Markets – A paradise for chefs and food lovers.
* Trendy bars & restaurants now attract expats and young professionals.

4. Blend of Old & New:
* Traditional neighbourhood charm remains despite Central’s expansion.
* Sai Wan Swimming Shed – One of the last remaining swimming sheds in Hong Kong, offering breathtaking sunset views over the South China Sea. A hidden gem where locals still take a dip, and photographers flock for the perfect scenic shot.
* Centre Street is a prominent thoroughfare in Sai Ying Pun, it’s one of the steepest roads in Hong Kong, with a gradient reaching 1:4 at its highest.

5. Conclusion:
A true mix of history, culture, and modernity, Western District offers an authentic Hong Kong experience.

Question 3

Western Police Station

Answer 3

1. Establishment:
* Talking about this area once being a dumping ground in the 19th century, the first police station in this district was established in 1858.
* The original name was Police Station No. 7.
* The current Western Police Station was built in 1952 as the third-generation No. 7 Police Station.
* Stands on the former site of St. Peter’s Church.

2. Historical Role:
* It has long been responsible for law enforcement in Western District.
* Played a role in maintaining order during Hong Kong’s colonial era and witnessed events like the Japanese occupation (1941-1945).

3. Architectural Style:
A practical, functional post-war structure, reflecting British administrative architecture of the time.

4. Present-Day Use:
Continues to operate as a police station,

Question 4

Commercial Development in Western District and Dried Seafood Stores

Answer 4

1. Early Settlement and Facilities:
* In the 19th century, while Central developed as Hong Kong’s commercial center, the Western District housed facilities like slaughterhouses, morgues, mental hospitals, and brothels.
* Many mainland Chinese immigrants settled in the Western District, contributing to its cultural and commercial development.

2. Nam Pak Hong and Bonham Strand West:
* Chinese and foreign businesses flourished, particularly the Nam Pak Hong (“South-North Trading”) companies, dealing in rice, dried seafood, and Chinese medicines from mainland China and Southeast Asia.
* Bonham Strand West became known as “Nam Pak Hong Street” due to the concentration of these trading houses.

3. Dried Seafood Stores:
* Des Voeux Road West, along with Wing Lok Street and Bonham Strand West, is also known as “Dried Seafood Street,” renowned for its dried seafood and traditional Chinese food products.
* Dried seafood is commonly used in Chinese cuisine and traditional tonics, valued for its nutritional benefits.
* The origins of the trade in this area go back many decades, to when the products were dried on the rooftops, to be sold in the street-level stores.
* Black moss, salted fish, sausage, scallops, and more are on display, catering to the demands of local households, especially around Chinese New Year.
* Nearby on Wing Lok and Ko Shing streets, you’ll also find stores that stock ginseng and bird’s nest, both of which are said to be extremely beneficial to health.

Question 5

Trams

Answer 5

1. Established:
* Hong Kong’s tram system began in 1904, making it one of the oldest tramways in Asia.
* Nicknamed: “Ding Ding” due to the iconic bell sound used to alert pedestrians.

2. Historical Development:
* 1904, with twenty-six single-deck cars delivered in sections and assembled in the depot.
* 1912, 10 double-deckers were introduced, featuring an open-top design
* By 1913, open-top cars were fitted with canvas roofs for wet weather protection
* In 1923, wooden roofs were progressively fitted on tramcars. .

3. Route & Coverage:
* Track construction began in stages, all exclusively on Hong Kong Island,
* Now runs from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan, with a branch circulating through Happy Valley.

4. Unique Features:
* One of the world’s largest fleets of double-decker trams.
* Operates on electric power, making it eco-friendly and affordable. It has never used horse or steam power.
* A heritage transport experience blending nostalgia with daily life.

5. Modern Use: Still a popular mode of transport, carrying over 200,000 passengers daily.

6. Other information:
* Hong Kong Tramways achieved the Guinness World Record for the “Largest double-decker tram fleet in service” in 2021.
* In 2024, HKT celebrated 120 years of service
* Adult fare is only HK$3 to travel from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan.
* Party Trams: Trams are also rented out as party cars, providing a fun, unique venue for private events, including birthday parties, corporate events, and special celebrations.

6. Conclusion:
* A must-ride for visitors wanting to experience Hong Kong’s living history on wheels!
* The upper deck is particularly suitable for sightseeing, allowing passengers to view the bustling city and beautiful night scenery.

Question 6

Transport

Answer 6

There are plenty of ways to get around Hong Kong, whether it’s by bus, ferry, rail, taxi or tram.

1. Overview:
The city claims one of the world’s safest, most efficient and frequent public transport systems comprising MTR (Mass Transit Railway), buses, trams, minibuses, taxis, ferries, and the iconic Peak Tram.

2. Modes of Transport:
* MTR (Mass Transit Railway):
The fastest and most eco-friendly transport option, covering 271 km with 9 local railway lines, the Airport Express, and the High-Speed Rail (connecting to mainland China).
* The Light Rail serves the Northwestern New Territories, with feeder bus services connecting to the Tuen Ma Line.

• Buses: Operated by four franchised bus companies, offering air-conditioned buses across the city with fixed fares.
• Minibuses: Green minibuses follow fixed routes, while red minibuses operate without fixed routes, offering flexible transport with a capacity of 19 seats.
• Taxis: Red urban taxis serve most areas, while green taxis operate in the New Territories and blue taxis are restricted to Lantau Island.
• Ferries: Star Ferry, famous worldwide, offers scenic rides across Victoria Harbour between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui or Wan Chai, providing fantastic views of Hong Kong’s skyline.
• Historic Transport: The Peak Tram, Hong Kong’s first electric-powered transport, has been operating since 1888, offering a unique ride from Central to Victoria Peak.

3. Smart Payment System:
* There are multiple convenient payment methods in the form of cash, Octopus Card and e-Wallet.
* The Octopus Card offers a convenient, cashless, and efficient way to pay for public transport, retail purchases, and services across Hong Kong, with easy recharging and discounts for eligible users.