Route 4 - Gloucester Road - Causeway Bay Road - Tai Hang Road & Tiger Balm Gardens

Question 1

Route 4 (Causeway Road - Tung Lo Wan Road - Tai Hang Road)

3 Bulletpoints - 7 minutes

Answer 1

1. Tai Hang - Fire Dragon Dance (front)
2. Tai Hang - Living Environment of Upper and Middle Classes.
3. Lai Tak Tsuen (left)

Question 2

Tai Hang - Fire Dragon Dance

Answer 2

1. Where:
* In the lanes and alleyways of Tai Hang, near Causeway Bay

2. Origins & Legend:
* The Fire Dragon Dance started when Tai Hang was a small Hakka village of farmers and fishermen on the waterfront of Causeway Bay.
* According to local legend, in 1880, a few days before the Mid-Autumn Festival, a typhoon and then a plague wreaked havoc on the village.
* While the villagers were repairing the damage, a python entered the village and ate their livestock.
* According to some villagers, the python was the son of the Dragon King.
* A fortune-teller decreed the only way to stop the chaos was to stage a fire dance for three days and nights during the upcoming mid-autumn festival.
* The villagers made a huge dragon of straw and covered it with incense sticks, which they then lit.
* Accompanied by drummers and erupting firecrackers, they danced for three days and three nights – and the plague disappeared.
* Since then, villagers have performed the fire dragon dance during these three days every year to pray for peace in Tai Hang.

3. Key Features of the Fire Dragon:
* The dragon is 67 meters long, that is as long as five and a half double-decker buses!
* It of a head, tail, and 31 body segments. The head alone weighs 48 kg.
* The head and tail are built using a rattan framework, making them lightweight yet sturdy.
* The body is formed from bamboo poles and thick pearl grass, bound together with wire for flexibility.
* The dragon’s eyes are made from flashlights to create a glowing effect.
* Teeth are crafted from iron wire, while the tongue is painted red steel wire.
* Whiskers are made from long air roots, adding to the dragon’s dynamic appearance.
* Two pomelos (dragon pearls) guide the dragon’s movement.
* More than 12,000 of incense sticks (each 45 cm long) are attached along the dragon’s head, body, and tail, creating the famous glowing “fire dragon” effect at night.

4. Manpower and Coordination:
* Each section of the dragon is carried by 8-10 people working in shifts.
* A team of over 300 volunteers is required to prepare, construct, and perform the dance.

5. Ceremony Highlights:
* Procession through Tai Hang on the 14th, 15th, and 16th days of the eighth lunar month (Mid-Autumn Festival).
* Accompanied with firecrackers and drumming.

6. Final Ritual:
* On the last night, the dragon circles counterclockwise before heading into the sea at Causeway Bay—symbolizing “Dragon Returns to Heaven” and purification of the community.

6. Significance:
* The construction of the fire dragon is a remarkable display of Hong Kong’s cultural heritage, combining craftsmanship, teamwork, and deep-rooted tradition.
* Listed as National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011.
* A breathtaking, must-see cultural tradition in Hong Kong.

7. Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre is situated at 12 School Street, Tai Hang, housing an exhibition centre, showcasing the history of Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance and the Hakka culture of Tai Hang.

Question 3

Tai Hang - Middle and Upper Classes Living Environment

Answer 3

1. Significance:
* Tai Hang is a residential area near known for its blend of old and new architecture, peaceful atmosphere, and proximity to the city center.

2. Gentrification:
* Once a working-class neighborhood, Tai Hang has now transformed into a sought-after neighborhood for upper and middle-class residents. Living in this district carries a certain status symbol.

3. Housing:
Blend of low-rise historic garden houses and villas and new architecture with luxury apartments and modern residential developments.

4. Quiet Ambiance:
* Compared to the busy Causeway Bay, Tai Hang offers a more relaxed and tranquil living environment.
* Green Spaces: Close to Victoria Park and hiking trails leading to Jardine’s Lookout.

5. Community & Lifestyle:
* Home to trendy cafés, boutique restaurants, and international cuisine.
* Vintage stores, design-driven boutiques, artisanal coffee shops.

6. Cultural Heritage:
* Preserves a strong local identity, with the annual Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance as a highlight.

7. Accessibility:
* Well-connected by public transport, including trams, buses, and walking distance to Causeway Bay MTR Station.
* Close to major commercial and shopping districts, yet retains a distinct village-like charm.

Question 4

Lai Tak Tsuen

Answer 4

1. Significance:
* Hong Kong Public Housing Estate
* Completed in 1975, making it one of the earliest public housing estates in HK
* Managed by the Hong Kong Housing Society, the second largest housing provider in HK.

2. Architecture & Design:
* An unconventional design with four of the eight blocks were built in cylindrical shape, allowing more units to enjoy Victoria Harbour views.
* The housing estate was an award-winning design in the 1970s

3. Building:
* The estate comprises 2,677 flats across three high-rise blocks.
* Flat size: 25 - 56 sqm.
* As of 2016 census, 6,700 population.
* Median monthyl income of HK$ 16,550

4. Facilities:
* Car parks,
* shops and market stalls,
* kindergarten, children’s center, youth center, elderly center,
* library,
* basketball court, and
* children’s playground.
* Two tennis courts were built in 1979 at the roof-top with a tennis club. The area was subsequently transformed to an open green space for recreational use by residents.