Route 3 - Victoria Park Road - Wing Hing Street - King's Road - Gloucester Road

Question 1

Route 3 - Points to mention
(Victoria Park Road - Wing Hing Street - King’s Road - Causeway Road)

4 Bulletpoints - 10 minutes

Answer 1

1. Tin Hau (front)
2. Victoria Park (right)
3. Hong Kong Central Library (left)
4. Causeway Bay (front)

Question 2

Tin Hau

Answer 2

1. Location: Tin Hau is a small yet vibrant aera on Hong Kong Island, located between Causeway Bay and North Point.

2. Origin: It’s named after the Tin Hau Temple in Causeway Bay, dedicated to the goddess of the sea. She is also known as Mazu.

3. The Most Popular Legend:
* Lin Mo was said to have been born in 960 AD and possessed extraordinary abilities, including predicting storms and saving sailors from shipwrecks.
* One day, while her father and brothers were out at sea, a violent storm arose.
* Lin Mo, either in a dream or through meditation, spiritually projected herself over the ocean to guide them back to shore safely.
* However, her mother woke her up suddenly, breaking the connection, and her father tragically drowned.
* Despite this loss, Lin Mo became a protector of fishermen and seafarers. After her death (at age 27, according to legend), she was deified and worshipped as Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea.

4. Tin Hau’s Appearance in Statues & Altars:
* Traditional Red Robe – Symbolizing good fortune and protection.
* Imperial Crown or Headdress – A sign of her divine status.
* Calm and Kind Facial Expression – Representing her benevolence and wisdom.
* Seated or Standing Pose – Often depicted sitting on a throne, showing her authority.

5. Guardians:
* Thousand-Mile Eyes– A red-faced guardian with exceptional vision.
* Favorable Wind Ears – A green-faced guardian who can hear distant sounds.
These figures flank Tin Hau’s statue, symbolizing her ability to see and hear everything at sea to protect sailors.

6. History of Building: The original temple was built in 1747. The present building dates back to 1868 and despite renovations, is still largely in its original form. It is now located inland as a consequence of land reclamation, originally being on the waterfront.

7. Conclusion: Hong Kong, historically a fishing village, has numerous Tin Hau temples, where locals still pray for safe voyages and good fortune.

Question 3

Victoria Park

6 Bulletpoints

Answer 3

1. Location and Size: In Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island. With 19 hectares the largest public park in Hong Kong.

2. History & Background:
* Built on reclaimed land from the old Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter.
* Construction began in 1951 and cost HK$10 million. Opened in 1957.
* Named after Queen Victoria, with her bronze statue inside the park.

3. Recreational Facilities:
* Jockey Club Swimming Pool Complex (Opened 2013, cost HK$800 million).
* Tennis Center Court (Seats 3,600, hosts Hong Kong Davis Cup matches).
* 13 standard tennis courts, 6 football pitches, 4 basketball courts, 2 lawn bowling greens, handball court, roller skating rink, jogging track, fitness center, children’s playground, model boat pool, and bandstand.

4. Major Events & Festivals:
* Lunar New Year Fair (Largest in Hong Kong, attracts over a million visitors).
* Hong Kong Flower Show (March).
* Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival (Mid-Autumn Festival).
* Hong Kong Brands & Products Expo (December).
* Standard Chartered Marathon Finish Line (Since 2008).

5. Cultural & Social Significance:
* A popular gathering place for Indonesian domestic workers on Sundays, where they socialize, picnic, and hold small markets.

6. Nearby Attractions and Shopping:
* Causeway Bay Shopping District: Times Square, SOGO, Hysan Place, Lee Gardens, and Fashion Walk are all within walking distance.
* Tin Hau Temple: A historic temple dedicated to the sea goddess Tin Hau, located nearby.
Accessibility
* Easily accessible from Causeway Bay MTR Station, just a short walk away.

Question 4

Hong Kong Central Library

Answer 4

1. On your left, you’ll see the Hong Kong Central Library, the largest public library in Hong Kong. Opened in 2001, it stands at 12 stories high and covers 33,800 square meters, serving as the city’s main hub for knowledge and research.
2. The library features over 2.3 million books, rare manuscripts, and extensive digital archives. It also houses a Hong Kong Literature Room, a Map Library, and a Multimedia Resource Center.
3. The building’s modern design features an archway, symbolizing the “Gateway to Knowledge” .
4. One of the library’s key attractions is the Computerized Book Storage & Retrieval System, which allows visitors to request books that are stored in an automated system. The library also offers public exhibitions, seminars, and reading programs throughout the year.
5. Since 1979, Hong Kong Public Libraries has been a United Nations depository library. Currently, materials from nine international organizations are deposited at the Hong Kong Central Library

Located next to Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, it’s a popular spot for students, researchers, and book lovers. Even if you don’t have time to go inside today, it’s worth a visit if you’re exploring the area later.

Question 5

Causeway Bay

Answer 5

1. Origin: The typhoon shelter of Causeway Bay and the Tin Hau Temple reveal that this area was once a fishing town. The name stems from the early stage of development, when a causeway was built, which is the present-day Causeway Road.

2. History as Shopping Hub:
* In the 1950’s the area was used for warehouses.
* Causeway Bay’s history as a shopping district dates back to 1960, when Daimaru, a Japanese style department store opened in Great George Street.
* By the 1970s, Causeway Bay has developed into Hong Kong’s main shopping district. A number of other Japanese style department stores, including Matsuzakaya, Mitsukoshi and Sogo, opened in the 1970s and 1980s, giving Causeway Bay the nickname of “little Ginza”.
* In the 1990s, several major shopping centres were constructed, strengthening Causeway Bay’s status as one of the major shopping districts in Hong Kong.
* Though a number of Japanese department stores closed down during the 1998 international financial crisis, many department stores and large shopping malls remained, such as Sogo Department Store, Lane Crawford, Times Square, Hysan Place, Lee Gardens, and Lee Theatre Plaza, making Causeway Bay a popular shopping destination.

3. Culinary Experience: This area is not just a shopping paradise but also Hong Kong’s food paradise. The most famous dining district is Percival Street. The 20-plus story Macau Plaza houses many famous restaurants and eateries offering cuisine from different regions - truly offering everything you could want!