Shek Tong Tsui

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Shek Tong Tsui (石塘嘴 or 石塘咀) is a town in Sai Wan on the north shore of Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. Administratively, it belongs to Central and Western District.

[edit] Boundary

This district is bounded to the east by Whitty Street, north by the sea, south by Pokfulam Road and the Third Street, west by the intersection of Queen's Road West and Belcher's Street.

[edit] History

Its name is derived from the nearby old quarry, Shek Tong (石塘) in Cantonese language, (located around the Hill Road and Belcher Garden) used by the Hakka people since the 17th century while Tsui (嘴) indicates it was a headlands.

The area was settled in 1880. In the early 1900s, the Hong Kong Island's red light district was moved from Possession Point in Sheung Wan to this area. The place thus flourished and was in its golden period. Chinese affluents in Hong Kong came to Shek Tong Tsui for entertainment. Theatres for Cantonese opera and Cantonese restaurants were founded in the area. It was known locally in Cantonese word, 塘西風月 (tong sai fung yuet). Brothels in this area inspired numerous novels and Hong Kong films, most notably, Rouge (1987) which starred Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung. This lasted until the ban of prostitution by Hong Kong Government in 1935. After the Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong, Japanese military government relocated all Chinese brothels to the area. Although there was 500 brothels in the area of the time, the lives under Japanese rule in war time were too harsh to enjoy.

[edit] Transport

The tram terminus near Whitty Street is one of the termini of Hong Kong Tramways. Bus and minibus services are also available along the main streets. The West Island Line, an extension of the existing MTR Island Line, will have a station near this area.