Tung Chung
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Tung Chung (Chinese: 東涌, Jyutping: dung1 cung1; Cantonese IPA:) is the first new town on an outlying island of Hong Kong. It is located in the north-western coast of Lantau Island, developed as part of the Airport Core Programme ([1] (http://www.info.gov.hk/napco/index-e.html)).
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Development
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According to the information from the 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 35 hectares 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 23 minutes away from Hong Kong's Central Business District on the Tung Chung Line of the MTR metro system.
Currently, Tung Chung is purely residential, with Citygate and a few shopping malls being the only commercial developments in the area. It is envisaged that in the future, hotels, entertainment, services and office towers will be built in Tung Chung to support the growing population.
History
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Since Song Dynasty, there were 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, merchandizing 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 facade of Tung Chung, of a village before the development of the airport and the town.
Accommodation
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.
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Below are some examples of housing estates, both private and public.
Tung Chung Crescent is the first private residential estate 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 three 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 another newly developed private residental 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 residental and commercial buildings.
Coastal Skyline is yet another private residential estate in Tung Chung, consisting of seven (planned) residential towers of around fifty stories each, and a number of low-rise flats. Currently, only five of the seven towers are complete.
Public (government) housing and Home Ownership scheme flats also make up a sizable 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, Citygate 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 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.
Schools
Primary schools
There are a number of primary schools in Tung Chung. This include the Ching Chung Hau Po Woon Primary School, Po On Commercial Association Wan Ho Kan Primary School and Tung Chung Public School.
Secondary schools
There are also a number of secondary schools serving the area. This includes: Tung Chung Catholic School (Yat Tung), PLK Mrs Ma Kam Ming Cheung Fook Sien College, and the Ho Yu College Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen.
Recreations
Tung Chung is surrounded by two massive country parks, which cover most of Lantau 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
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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 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 is the most spectacular as its 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
It is located on Lantau Island, near the Tung Chung and Chek Lap Kok Airport. The beautiful scenery and convenient transportation enable youth and their families to share a peaceful and natural environment during vacations. The camp was built in 1979 costing HK$ 3 millions. The total area of the land is 4,877 m². The Hong Kong Buddhist Association holds the current management of the camp. There are many facilities such as 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 trail
It is possible to walk from the New Town of 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.
Another option is a hike from Shui Hau to Tung Chung Road. This is an easier option, good for family walks. There is an easy and well-wooded walk with picnic and barbecue sites. Turning south from Tung Chung Road, one can get to the Cheung Sha beaches.
Natural Environments
The presence of mangroves ( 紅樹林) and freshwater streams in Tung Chung provides excellent ecologically valuable habitats for freshwater fish species, dragonflies (蜻蜓) and rare amphibians (兩棲類動物).
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 rare fish, Acrossocheilus (Lissolichthys) wenchowensis beijiangensis (北江光唇魚) 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
Tung Chung Fort
Tung Chung Fort was built in 1817, when the Qing Government was alarmed by the rampant piracy of Cheung Po Tsai 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
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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.
How to get there?
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You can walk straight towards the seashore for about 20 minutes and that will be in front of you.
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".
How to get there?
It is recommended to take a taxi at Chek Lap Kok New Village, it costs not more than $25.
Tung Chung Town Centre
Tung Chung Town Centre features a variety of shops, restaurants, a cinema and entertainment facilities, as well as transportation to Kowloon or Hong Kong Island.
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.
Giant Buddha and Po Lin Monastery
Giant Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. The walk starts near the 26-metre-high Giant Buddha at Ngong Ping, the world's largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha statue. The nearby Po Lin Monastery is open daily 10am to 5:30pm.
Transportation
The transportation network of Tung Chung is excellent. It is connected to the rest of Hong Kong via massive infrastructure projects such as the Tsing Ma Bridge, Ma Wan Viaduct, North Lantau Expressway and Cheung Ching Tunnel. Transport options are abundant - bus, trains, ferries and even planes are all within walking distance! There are proposals to extend this even further - a tram up to the Monastery in Ngong Ping and a massive bridge spanning from Chek Lap Kok/Tai O North to Zhuhai/Macau (exact orientation not confirmed yet).
Train
Tung Chung is served by the Tung Chung Line of the MTR metro system. One can travel to Kowloon, Hong Kong Island conveniently within a short time using the Tung Chung Line; and reach the airport via frequent bus services provided by two bus companies. he MTR Tung Chung Line is also connected to the KCR West Rail at the MTR Nam Cheong Station, providing a direct 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.
Roads
Tsing Ma Bridge and Kap Shui Mun Bridge, connecting Lantau Island to Kwoloon, are the major routes for buses to travel.
Tsing Ma Bridge consists of towers, one tower located on Tsing Yi side and the other on a man-made island 120 m from the coast of Ma Wan Island. Tsing Ma Bridge is the world's longest span suspension bridge carrying both road and railway traffic. The bridge towers were constructed by slip forming, and the heavy steel saddles lifted into position by jacks.
Tsing Ma Bridge is not only an important traffic point from Tung Chung to other place, it is one of the symbol to represent Hong Kong.
Tung Chung Road, a narrow single lane road, connects Lantau South with Tung Chung and the rest of Hong Kong.
Ferry
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There is a frequent ferry service from Tung Chung to Tuen Mun. In addition, there is a few sailings a day to Tai O. This provides spectacular sea views of the North Lantau coast, home to the Chinese White Dolphin.
Ferry schedule: First Ferry [2] (http://www.nwff.com.hk/english/schedule/route.asp?Origin=TM&Dest=TC&ServDayType=&FerryType=&StartTime=&EndTime=&line=H)
Future in 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 Tian Tan Buddha and the fishing village of Tai O. Thus, a plan has been made to construct a 5.7 km cableway (17 minute journey), the Tung Chung Cable Car Project, up from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping where the Tian Tan Buddha Statue is located via angled stations at Airport Island and Nei Lak Shan.
This cable car system between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping to enhance tourism on Lantau was first promulgated in the North Lantau Development Study (NLDS) 1992. The concept was further developed through the Visitor and Tourism Study for Hong Kong (VISTOUR), which was prepared for the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) and Planning Department in 1995.
The Project includes the following:
- construction of a cable car system of about 5.7 km long between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping;
- construction of associated towers and other support structures and ancillary works;
- construction of two termini, one at Tung Chung and the other at Ngong Ping; and
- construction of associated angle (for turning) station(s) and other associated infrastructure.
Now is proposed that each cable car will accommodate up to 17 passengers.
The major ecological impacts of this project are the loss of woodland and tall shrub habitat, potential disturbance to significant flora species and temporary disturbance to significant fauna species. Mitigation measures including compensation planting of approximately 2 hectares of woodland vegetation to compensate for the loss of 2,500 m² of tall shrub and woodland habitats (and total loss of 29,600 m² of habitat not including developed areas). It is considered that with appropriate construction practices (fencing off areas, restriction of construction areas, use of portable toilets etc.) are proposed. By implementation of mitigation measures and adherence to the practice notes and codes of practice for work within the Country Park, the ecological impacts are deemed to be acceptable. So this project should be carried out, in order to develop the Lantau Island and Hong Kong Tourism, which can benefit to our economy.
Construction works has commenced on 9 February 2004 and are expected to be completed in 2006. This future Cable Cars will allow visitors to glide across Tung Chung Bay and surroundings in Lantau Island. Passengers will be able to view over the North Lantau Country Park, the South China Sea, Hong Kong international Airport, the Tung Chung Valley, surrounding terrain and waterways and also The Big Buddha during the whole journey. The centre piece of the Village at Ngong Ping Terminal will be highlighted by "The Tea House", showcasing the village ambience of both Northern and Southern China. Visitors will be able to experience the unique cultural features in the Village. It will be a major tourists attraction site in near future.
There is another project to improve the connection between the Lantau North and Lantau South, named Tung Chung Road Improvement Works. The works are started in December 2003 and the road is expected to be fully opened to traffic in mid 2006.
Recently, all vehicles, except franchised buses, Lantau taxis and emergency vehicles, require both the Tung Chung Road Prohibited Zone Permit and the Lantau Closed Road Permit to travel on the section of Tung Chung Road between Shek Mun Kap Road and South Lantau Road from 8 am to 6 pm everyday. The Vehicles not exceeding 5.5 tonnes but possessing only the Lantau Closed Road Permits can only travel on that section of Tung Chung Road outside the above mentioned time. Vehicles exceeding 5.5 tonnes are generally banned from using that section of the road.
In order to meet the traffic demand generated by existing development and planned development on south Lantau up to 2016 with the improvement of road safety. Tung Chung Road is needed to be upgraded to a single two-lane road of 7.3 m width with a footpath of at least 1.6 m wide.
The works for the section between Pa Mei and Lung Tseng Tau has been completed at end of 2003. The remaining works involve widening and realignment between Lung Tseng Tau and Pak Kung Au along or near to its existing alignment; and construction of a new road for the section between Pak Kung Au and Cheung Sha to reduce the gradient to within 15 per cent.
See also
External links
- Tung Chung New Town (http://www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/about/achievements/regional/regi_tungchung.htm)
- Hong Kong Tourism Board (http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/touring/hkwalks/ta_walk_walk6.jhtml)
- Hong Kong Sightseeing and Attractions (http://www.asia-planet.net/hongkong/hk-walks.htm#lantau)
- TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN (Phase 1) (http://www.info.gov.hk/archive/napco/p-tung.html)
- Tung Chung Photo Album (http://community.webshots.com/album/24385234OPUEfxaMHn)