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Tung Chung
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Tung Chung, namely the eastern stream, is an area situated on the north-western coast of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Tung Chung, currently one of the latest generation of new towns, was formerly a rural village around Tung Chung Wan, and along the delta and lower courses of Tung Chung River and Ma Wan Chung in the north-western coast of Lantau Island.
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Tung Chung, namely the eastern stream, is an area situated on the north-western coast of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Tung Chung, currently one of the latest generation of new towns, was formerly a rural village around Tung Chung Wan, and along the delta and lower courses of Tung Chung River and Ma Wan Chung in the north-western coast of Lantau Island. The area was once a major defense stronghold against pirates and foreign military during Ming and Qing dynasties.
Developed as part of the Airport Core Programme, the North Lantau New Town is the first new town on an outlying island of Hong Kong, with the first phases built on reclaimed land to the north, east and northeast of the original Tung Chung Town.
Development
According to the information from the Hong Kong Territory Development Department, Tung Chung is being developed in 4 phases into a new town with a target population of 250,000 people. The first phase was completed in 1994; infrastructure works was completed in January 1997 in order to tie with the subsequent completion of the first housing developments. This phase of development provided about 20,000 people in the district to support the airport at Chep Lap Kok.
Phase 2 of Tung Chung development was also completed. About 350,000 square metres of land was reclaimed east of the Phase 1 development area. Roads and drainage works to serve this reclaimed land were completed in May 2000. Land formation of 270,000 m² for the remaining Phase 2 areas south of Tung Chung Bay together with the associated infrastructure were completed in February 2001. Upon completion, Phase 2 development will accommodate a population of 67,000.
Reclamation works under Phase 3A development commenced in March 1999 and were completed in April 2003. About 260,000 m² of land was reclaimed north-east of Phase I development area. The reclamation will provide land for housing developments to accommodate a population of about 22,000.
The remaining development in Tung Chung is planned to be implemented as Phases 3 and 4 and to be completed in a foreseeable future.
The relocation of the international airport from Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok accelerated the development of Tung Chung to be a residential and commercial hub supporting the permanent and transient community associated with the airport. Tung Chung is a mere 27 minutes away from Hong Kong's Central Business District on the Tung Chung Line of the MTR metro system.
Currently, Tung Chung is primarily residential, but an office block and hotel have already been completed. It is envisaged that in the future, other commercial projects will be developed in Tung Chung to support the growing population.
History
Since Song Dynasty, there have been people living in Tung Chung. At that time, they lived on fishing and agriculture. Crabs, fishes and crops were their main productions.
This place was originally called Tung Sai Chung, when Hong Kong was still a group of fishing villages. Tung means east in Cantonese, while Sai means west. At that time, merchandising ships sailed east to the village and west to Macau.
Tung Chung may be a new town, but its heritage can be seen in the form of old fishing villages. They show another façade of Tung Chung, of a village before the development of the airport and the town.
Accommodation
Novotel Citygate Hong Kong is Tung Chung's first hotel. It opened early 2006.
Tung Chung New Town (Phase 1) is the current newly developed core living area around Tung Chung. The development of this New Town is one of the ten parts of the Hong Kong Airport Core Programme.
The first phase of public housing development was completed in late 1997 and can accommodate up to 15,000 people. Another 5,000 people are housed in the private housing development completed in 1998.
Below are some examples of housing estates, both private and public.
Tung Chung Crescent is the MTR Tung Chung Station Development Package One (together with Seaview Crescent and Citygate) and is the first private residential estate completed in Tung Chung. It is jointly developed by five big local developers including Hang Lung Development Co. Ltd., Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd., New World Development Co. Ltd., Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd., Swire Properties and with the MTR Corporation.
Seaview Crescent, developed by the same developers as Tung Chung Crescent, consists of four tower blocks in the same style of Tung Chung Crescent, though these face the sea and the airport at Chek Lap Kok.
Caribbean Coast is the MTR Tung Chung Station Development Package Three and is another newly developed private residential estate. It is jointly developed by Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited, Hutchison Whampoa Limited and the MTR Corporation. It is about 67,900 m² with both residential and commercial buildings.
Coastal Skyline is the MTR Tung Chung Station Development Package Two is yet another private residential estate in Tung Chung. It was jointly developed by HKR International Limited, Hong Leong Holdings Limited and Reco Tung Chung Pte Ltd. and MTR Corporation and consisting of seven residential towers of around fifty stories each, and a number of low-rise flats.
Public (government) housing and Home Ownership scheme flats also make up a sizeable part of Tung Chung. The first phase of public housing development including five home ownership blocks at Yu Tung Court and three public rental housing blocks at Fu Tung Estate comprising 2,640 home ownership and 1,664 rental units. Yat Tung Estate is a newer integrated development consisting of twenty 40 story tower blocks towards the south of the city centre, near the fishing village in Tung Chung Bay, complete with kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, shopping mall, car park and transport interchange.
Shopping
Fu Tung Shopping Centre, Yat Tung Shopping Centre, and Citygate Outlets are the three shopping centers in Tung Chung thus far. Further shopping malls are expected at the new developments in Caribbean Coast. Tung Chung is a mere 12 minutes from Tsing Yi and Kwai Tsing, where a much wider variety of shopping options are available.
Citygate Outlets is at the heart of this new town, developed in conjunction with the Tung Chung MTR Station and bus terminus, thus providing a focal point to the town. Citygate, developed in the glass and steel style of the Hong Kong International Airport, contains 500,000 square feet (46,000 m²) of shopping, entertainment, and food outlets spread across five floors. A square outside the mall contains a special fountain which performs a musical show regularly, attracting visitors and residents alike to relax and cool off in the summer heat.
Yat Tung is a newer development; the first and second phase was completed in March 2001 and May 2002 respectively. It provides supermarkets, services, and a number of eating outlets.
Eating
Both Chinese and Western foods are readily available at the many food outlets in Tung Chung. For something more unusual, one can enjoy a meal at a temple behind the Tung Chung Battery and a restaurant in Po Lin Monastery which serves vegetarian food.
- Located next to the Ngong Ping cable car terminal, 360 Forest Grill & Restaurant Bar offers alfresco dining in a peaceful, garden setting. 360 Forest’s cuisine features a range of a-la-cart grilled meats and fresh sea foods, three course buffet sets, and standard Asian and European dishes.
Schools
Primary
- Ching Chung Hau Po Woon Primary School
- Po On Commercial Association Wan Ho Kan Primary School
- Tung Chung Public School.
- The Salvation Army Lam Butt Chung Memorial School
- HKFEW Wong Cho Bau School
- Tung Chung Catholic School
- Ling Liang Church Sau Tak Primary School
- Ho Yu Primary School Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen.
Secondary
- Ho Yu College Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen.
- PLK Mrs Ma Kam Ming Cheung Fook Sien College
- Tung Chung Catholic School (Yat Tung)
- YMCA Of Hong Kong Christian College
- Ling Liang Church E Wun Secondary School
- HKFEW Wong Cho Bau Secondary School
- Caritas Charles Vath College
Recreation
Tung Chung is surrounded by two large country parks, cover an area of Lantau Island as large as Hong Kong Island: The Lantau North and Lantau South Country Parks. In addition, in a move to encourage green transport biking tracks are available throughout the town, and most of the private estate provides full clubhouse facilities for its residents. In future, a public library, swimming pool, indoor games hall and community centre are planned for Tung Chung. Furthermore, the Hong Kong Disneyland development at Penny's Bay will provide further recreational opportunities.
Tung Chung Valley
The hiking route begins at Ngong Ping, from the Big Buddha follow signs for Lantau Peak. The total length is 8 km. The route winds around the northern slopes of Lantau Peak and descends into Tung Chung Valley. The trail passes woodland, mountain streams and also hillside monasteries. The impressive views over Shek Pik make a strong contrast with the airport which is seen in the distance. Side paths skirt the small monasteries seen along the way. Be careful if the hillside streams are in spate. All around are natural hillsides, rich with life forms — some of them rare.
Tung Chung Valley is the home of some of the steepest and most primeval mountain streams in Hong Kong. The formation of spectacular waterfalls is facilitated in the presence of the sheer cliffs and deep gorges in the valley.
Almost all the streams in the area have their name related to Lung (the Chinese word for dragon) which is the Chinese mythological creature of the waters and the favourite metaphor for the towering waterfalls.
Being the main branch of the Tung Chung Valley, the deep-set Wong Lung Valley is the home of the Wong Lung Stream (The Yellow Dragon). The main stream has its source on the saddle at the east of Sunset Peak, but the stream collects water through a large network of feeder streams on both sides of the valley, including the famous Tung-Lung, Pak-Lung, Chong-Lung, and Ngo-Lung Streams, which are known collectively as "The Five Dragons of Tung Chung".
Wong Lung Waterfall
Wong Lung Waterfall is one of the most famous waterfalls which is located in the Lantau North Country Park. It is named "Wong-Lung" since during a heavy rainstorm, when we view from the high ground, the stream resembles a yellow dragon ready to take off for heaven when it and its feeders are flooded with torrential muddy water, with Wong-Lung as the trunk and the feeders its limbs.
Tung-Lung Stream
Tung-Lung Stream spectacular stream that falls seemingly joined together by the torrential water to form a continuous fals of more than 700 feet (213 m). Tung-Lung Stream is rich in varieties of rare local wild plants and animals, especially in the primeval forest at upper stream, among them the unique Hong Kong newts (Paramesotriton hongkongensis) as well as several species of wild orchids.
Hong Kong Buddhist Youth Camp
Located on a 4,877 m2 site near Tung Chung, the Buddhist Youth Camp enables youth and families to share and experience life in a peaceful and natural environment amongst beautiful scenery. Built in 1979 for HK$3 million, the camp is run by the Hong Kong Buddhist Association. Facilities available at the camp include table tennis, chess, books and television, playground for basketball, badminton, archery, barbecue and a standard swimming pool. Trees and green plants embracing the camp-site make it a very serene place for leisure.
Hiking trails
Hiking trails link Tung Chung to the fishing village of Tai O. This trail follows the north-western coast of Lantau Island; providing a good view of the runway approach to Chek Lap Kok as well as a number of quaint villages and unspoilt scenery. This, however is a strenuous four hour trek.
An easier and well-wooded walk with picnic and barbecue sites also link Shui Hau to Tung Chung Road. Turning south from Tung Chung Road, one can get to the Cheung Sha beaches.
Natural environments
The presence of mangroves and freshwater streams in Tung Chung provides excellent ecologically valuable habitats for freshwater fish species, dragonflies and rare amphibians.
However, the reclamation and other civil engineering works in Tung Chung has heavily damaged these habitats, and produced irreversible damage to the creatures.
Tung Chung Stream
Tung Chung Stream is the only known Hong Kong site for the rare fish, Acrossocheilus (Lissolichthys) wenchowensis beijiangensis and one of only two sites on Lantau where the locally rare Crested Kingfisher, Cervie lugubris, has been recorded.
Upper Tung Chung Valley
The upper Tung Chung Valley is important habitat for birds, including thrushes and warblers (Hopkin, pers. comm.). Eagle owls, a species highly sensitive to disturbance around their nesting sites, breed here (Wilson, pers. comm.). The locally rare Hainan Blue Flycatcher probably breeds here (Chalmers, pers. comm.). The largest population of the reptile Tokay Gecko Gekko gecko occurs in the cliffs and boulder crevices in upper Tung Chung Valley (Lau, pers. comm.).
The woods in the upper Tung Chung Valley are reported to be some of the best on Lantau for rare plant species and for butterflies, including the Birdwing Butterfly which breeds here (Reels, pers. comm.).
Sights and attractions
Shopping and dining
Tung Chung Town Centre features a variety of shops, restaurants, a cinema and entertainment facilities centred around the Citygate development; as well as transportation to Kowloon or Hong Kong Island.
Tung Chung Fort
Tung Chung Fort was built in 1817, when the Qing Government was alarmed by the rampant piracy of Cheung Po Tsai (though Cheung himself had been captured seven years earlier) and decided to intervene and thwart the opium trade and defend the coast from pirates. The Fort was declared a monument in 1979. There are 6 old muzzle-loading cannons (still intact), each resting on a cement base and the enclosures are made of granite blocks, measuring 70 by 80 metres. Three arched gateways, each engraved with a Chinese inscription, are spaced along the walls. Tung Chung Fort itself went through several transformations. It was first used as a police station and then as a secondary school. Now, it is the base for the Rural Committee Office and the Tung Chung Public School.
Hau Wong Temple
Hau Wong Temple, a lovely tiered-roof structure built in 1765, is dedicated to Yeung Hau, a loyal court official of the Song Dynasty who died with its last emperor. And this temple was a place for training soldiers in the Qing Dynasty. There is a stele founded in 1777, which is an important products of a culture for researches about Qing Dynasty. Recently renovated, the temple features lavish interior decorations. The temple is over 200 years old. The row of miniature human figures on the eaves look still very real to life. On the 18th of the eighth month in the Lunar calendar every year, there are activities such as Chinese operas and gatherings in the open area of the temple, to celebrate the birthday of Hau Wong.
The temple is twenty minutes walking distance from the train station.
Tin Hau Temple
Tin Hau Temple, built in 1823, is located next to the Famous Pui O Beach. The temple is dedicated to Taoist Queen of Heaven and Goddess of the Sea and is usually built near fishing villages. Tung Chung holds the celebrations of Tin Hau Festival in the eighth month of the Lunar Calendar in order to thanks Tin Hau for protecting the fishing villages and ensuring fine weather and full nets. The festival is a colourful event and is characterized by floral paper offerings known as "fa pau". It is one of Grade I historic buildings in the District.
From Chek Lap Kok New Village, a taxi ride costs under HK$25.
Tung Chung Battery
Tung Chung Battery was one of the two military forts built in the 22nd year of Jiaqing reign (1817) at the foot of the Rocky Lion Hill at Tung Chung according to the Guangdong Annals. Its remains were discovered on a hill slope facing the sea near Tung Chung pier in 1980. An L-shaped wall with a platform at the corner, probably for gun emplacements, was revealed after clearing the dense undergrowth.
Lo Hon Temple
Lo Hon Temple built by lay Buddhists in 1974, occupies the site of a grotto named Lo Hon Cavern where a hermit from Guangdong practised Buddhism in 1926.
Ngong Ping: Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery and Ngong Ping 360
Tung Chung serves as the gateway for those wishing to explore Ngong Ping's Big Buddha, the world's largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha statue; and Po Lin Monastery, open daily 10:00-17:30.
Ngong Ping can be reached by:
- The Ngong Ping Skyrail system
- Buses from Tung Chung Town Centre; plying between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping via Tung Chung Road and South Lantau Highway
Transportation
Despite the far distance from the city, the transportation network of Tung Chung is excellent. It is connected to the rest of Hong Kong via massive infrastructure projects. An expressway links the rest of Hong Kong through Tsing Ma Bridge and North Lantau Expressway. Public transport options are abundant - bus, trains, ferries are all within walking distance. The Hong Kong International Airport is just about 10 minutes traveling time from Tung Chung. A gondola lift - Ngong Ping Skyrail can take travellers up to the Monastery in Ngong Ping. The under-planning massive bridge - Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge will start from the west of Tung Chung to Zhuhai and Macau.
Train
Tung Chung is served by the of the MTR metro system. The Tung Chung station is situated in the centre of the new town. One can travel to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island conveniently in less than 30 minutes. The MTR Tung Chung Line is also connected to the Line at the Nam Cheong Station, providing a convenient rail link to and from the town and the West New Territories.
Bus
25 routes operated by two bus companies are serving the Tung Chung New Town mentioned above and the airport. Citybus Limited operates 13 of the routes and Long Win Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kowloon Motor Bus, operates 12. The Hong Kong International Airport is connected by a frequent bus service "S1" operated by the two companies.
Tung Chung is also a hub for bus routes to the rest of Lantau Island. Bus services operated by the New Lantao Bus carries residents and holiday travelers to places including Mui Wo, Ngong Ping, Tai O, Cheung Sha, etc.
Roads
The western part of Route 8, consisted of Tsing Ma Bridge, Kap Shui Mun Bridge and North Lantau Highway, is the only access for vehicles travelling bewtween Tung Chung and the rest of urban Hong Kong.
Tung Chung Road, a narrow single lane road, connects Lantau South with Tung Chung and the rest of Hong Kong.
Ferry
There is a scheduled ferry service from Tai O and Tuen Mun, via Tung Chung New Development Ferry Pier and Sha Lo Wan, operated by Fortune Ferry Company . There is also another ferry service from Tung Chung to Tai O four times per day (five on Sundays and Public Holidays). This provides spectacular sea views of the North Lantau coast, home to the Chinese White Dolphin.
Ferry schedule:
Ngong Ping Skyrail
The Ngong Ping 360 is a 5.7 km cableway that links Tung Chung and Ngong Ping via angled stations at Airport Island and Nei Lak Shan. Ngong Ping is the home of the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. The Ngong Ping Skyrail and Ngong Ping Village form the Ngong Ping 360 tourism project. Following an accident involving one of the cable cars falling from the ropeway in June 2007, Ngong Ping Skyrail services were suspended until passenger safety could be guaranteed. The skyrail is now fully operational.
Future of Tung Chung
The Hong Kong government and the MTR corporation has invested heavily in the region to turn it into a tourist hub connecting tourists from the airport (and the future Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge) to the attractions in South Lantau such as the Big Buddha and the fishing village of Tai O.
- The first project realised is Ngong Ping 360 (see above).
- Currently under construction is the Tung Chung Road Improvement Works to improve the connection between Tung Chung and rural communities in Lantau South. Works began in December 2003 and is expected to be fully opened to traffic in December 2008.
See also
- List of buildings, sites and areas in Hong Kong
External links
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