Tsuen Wan
| Tsuen Wan | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 The day scene of Tsuen Wan across Rambler Channel (View taken from Tsing Yi Island) | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 荃灣 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 荃湾 | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Tsuen Wan (formerly also spelt Tsun Wan) is a bay in the New Territories area of Hong Kong, opposite to Tsing Yi Island across Rambler Channel. The market town of Tsuen Wan emerged for the surrounding villages and fleets of fishing boats in the area. The town is around the present-day Tsuen Wan Station of the MTR. It was extended as far as the reclamation proceeded.
History
In earlier days, it was known as Tsin Wan (淺灣) which means shallow bay, and later renamed to Tsuen Wan. Another name Tsak Wan (賊灣, Hakka dialect pronunciation: tshet wan), pirate bay, indicates the presence of pirates nearby long ago. In fact, the area around Rambler Channel was known as Sam Pak Tsin (三百錢), literally meaning three hundred coins. There was a legend that pirates would collect three hundred coins should one pass through the area.
In 1911, there were approximately 3000 villagers living in Tsuen Wan. In the 20th century, factories moved in gradually due to its proximity to Kowloon. With the construction of Castle Peak Road in 1917, motor vehicles could reach the town in addition to access on foot and by boat. Regular bus services did not begin until 1933. Early industries relied on the ample local water supply to make incense sticks, preserved fruit and farming, while post-war industries included metalwares and textiles.[1]
In the 1950s, the Hong Kong Government developed the area with new town concept. In the 1960s it was developed as part of Tsuen Wan New Town, including housing estates like the Fuk Loi Estate, built in 1967.[2] By 1971, the area housed 400,000 residents. It was one of the last areas in Hong Kong to be developed without the "Colony Outline Plan".[3] A museum of a local settlement village is located in Tsuen Wan Town: Sam Tung Uk Museum. The museum consists of a 200 year old walled village featuring exhibits designed to replicate traditional village life. It was donated in 1981 and after restoration during the construction of the MTR, it was opened for the public in 1987.
Landmarks
Discovery Park, one of Hong Kong's largest shopping centers, is located in the heart of Tsuen Wan Town. There is a goldsmith street there where jewels can be purchased. Other features include Tsuen Wan Shopping Plaza, Tsuen Wan City Landmark, Citywalk and L'Hotel, The Sam Tung Uk Museum, Tin Hau Temple and The Panda Hotel, one of the biggest hotels in Hong Kong. The Nina Towers, which include an 80-storey tower, rise over Tsuen Wan. Hong Kong's cable TV service company i-CABLE also has their headquarters located in Tsuen Wan at Wharf Cable Tower.
Situated in the valley, floodplain and reclaimed land, Tsuen Wan is surrounded on two sides by hills and woodlands that make up the Shing Mun Country Park and the Tai Mo Shan Country Park. Located within these parks are the Tai Mo Shan peak, the highest point in Hong Kong at 957 meters (3140 feet), and the Upper Shing Mun Reservoir. Route Twisk winds over and through the country parks linking Tsuen Wan with Pat Heung, via Shek Kong. Originally built by the Royal Engineers as a military road, it was opened to the public on 25 May 1961.
A urban renewal project led to the shopping malls Citiwalk and Citiwalk 2, as well as the residential areas above it.
Housing
Public housing estates
Private housing estates
Private housing estates in Tsuen Wan include:
- Belvedere Garden
- The Cairnhill
- The Cliveden
- Discovery Park
- The Dynasty
- The Westminster Terrace
- Luk Yeung Sun Chuen
- Riviera Gardens
- Serenade Cove
- Skyline Plaza
- Tsuen King Garden
- Tsuen Wan Centre
- Tsuen Wan City Landmark
- Tsuen Wan Plaza
- Allway Gardens (Chinese: 荃威花園) is the earliest and one of the largest private housing estates in Tsuen Wan. It was developed by Hopewell Holdings. It is located on Tsuen King Circuit, a hilltop at the west of Tsuen Wan. It comprises sixteen towers in four phases, completed between 1978 and 1981.[4]
Schools
- Tsuen Wan Government Secondary School
- Hoi Pa Street Government Primary School
- Tsuen Wan Government Primary School
- St. Francis Xavier's School Tsuen Wan
- Holy Cross Lutheran School
- Mary Of Providence Primary School (W.D.)
- Hong Kong Baptist Convention Primary School
- Ho Fung College
- Rosebud Primary School
Public Transport
Trains
Tsuen Wan is served by the MTR Tsuen Wan Station, on the Tsuen Wan Line. Another station, Tsuen Wan West Station, opened in late 2003 as a part of the West Rail Line.
Ferries
The Tsuen Wan Pier connects Tsuen Wan to Park Island a private housing estate in Ma Wan.[5]
Buses
See also
- Cable TV Tower
- Chai Wan Kok
- Concord Square
- Luk Yeung Galleria
- Nan Fung Centre
- Panda Place
- Sha Tsui
- Tai Wo Hau
- Tsuen Wan Environmental Resource Centre
- Tsuen Wan Park
- Tsuen Wan Pier
- Tsuen Wan Rural Committee
- Tsuen Wan Town Hall
- Tsuen Wan West
- Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail
References
- ^ http://cd1.edb.hkedcity.net/cd/TC/Content_4025/Changes_in_Tsuen_Wan/frame.htm HK Ed City. Urban Development in Tsuen Wan. Retrieved 18 Sept 2012.
- ^ http://cd1.edb.hkedcity.net/cd/TC/Content_4025/Changes_in_Tsuen_Wan/frame.htm HK Ed City. Urban Development in Tsuen Wan. Retrieved 18 Sept 2012.
- ^ Buckley, Roger. [1997] (1997). Hong Kong: The Road to 1997 By Roger Buckley. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-46979-1
- ^ Template:Zh icon Allway Gardens official homepage Retrieved 2011-09-17
- ^ Ferry Services of Park Island
Further reading
- Hayes, James (1993). Tsuen Wan: growth of a 'new town' and its people. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-585166-3.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help)
