Yuen Long Town

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Shan Pui River took in Yuen Long Town (10 Jan, 2004)

Yuen Long Town (Chinese: 元朗市, formerly Un Long Town or Un Long Hui) is located in the district centre of Yuen Long District, New Territories. It is the heart of Yuen Long and Yuen Long New Town. The population is around 200,000.

[edit] Geography

A road sign pointing to Yuen Long Town

Yuen Long Town is located in the centre of Yuen Long. It was built on granite and is divided into an eastern part and a western part by Shan Pui River; it is also divided into a northern part and a southern part by Castle Peak Road.

The most prosperous part of Yuen Long Town is to the east of Shan Pui River, near Castle Peak Road. There are many different types of shops there. Some people call the area "Mong Kok of the west".

[edit] History

Yuen Long Town in the 1950s - on the right is Yuen Long Kau Hui, on the left is Yuen Long San Hui

Yuen Long Town was called Un Long Hui in the early 20th century. It was the main market town in Yuen Long in that time. Now it is a town (like as Sai Kung Town and Kennedy Town) which is located in the urban heart of Yuen Long.

Some locals use the name "Yuen Long Town" to mean "Yuen Long New Town", to clarify that areas of the New Town have taken over the older market town as the busiest part of Yuen Long.

After the development of Yuen Long New Town, the name "Yuen Long Town" has been used only occasionally. Nevertheless, though, big companies like Kowloon Motor Bus, and the District Council still use "Yuen Long Town". Some road signs still have "Yuen Long Town" on them, but most of those were erected in the 1990s. Most of the road signs now use "Yuen Long" instead of "Yuen Long Town".

Yuen Long Town is developed from Yuen Long Kau Hui (literally Yuen Long Old Market) and Yuen Long San Hui (literally Yuen Long New Market). In 1972, the government included Yuen Long Town into the Government's town expansion scheme. Because of this, many buildings were suddenly allowed to be built at that time, leading to a high number of buildings that are over 20 years old in Yuen Long Town.

Since 1978, Yuen Long New Town has been built over the original Yuen Long Town, with the New Town being the New Territories northwest district centre. Many new facilities, for example the Yuen Long Police Station, the Yuen Long Town Hall, and the Yuen Long Sports Ground, were built on the lesser developed western side of the Shan Pui River.

[edit] Transport

A panoramic view of Yuen Long Town - to the left is Long Ping Estate, to the right is Yuen Long Centre and the foreground is Tin Shui Wai station

Yuen Long (East) bus terminus at Yuen Long Town

In the past, Yuen Long Town relied on main roads like Castle Peak Road. Tuen Mun Road, Lam Kam Road, and Route 9. The Yuen Long Highway and the San Tin Highway are used to connect to other areas in Hong Kong.

However, because of the dependence upon Castle Peak Road and Tuen Mun Road, whenever there was an accident on either of the roads, traffic would come to a complete standstill. However, after the completion of Route 3 (via Tai Lam Tunnel) in 1998, the traffic was improved by a great deal and many destinations could be reached in less time.

[edit] Main roads

• Castle Peak Road
• Yuen Long Highway

[edit] Public transport

[edit] Rail

Since 1980, the KCR Light Rail has been serving the area between Tuen Mun and the very heart of Yuen Long, and has been an essential part of everyday life for commuters. In December 2003, KCR West Rail went into operation. It only takes around 20 minutes for residents in Yuen Long Town to go to Nam Cheong, near Sham Shui Po.

[edit] Bus

Yuen Long is serviced by many different bus lines, and they are mainly operated by the KMB.

[edit] Daytime Service

• West Rail
  • Long Ping Station, Yuen Long Station
• Light Rail
  • Five LRT stops (Yuen Long Terminus, Tai Tong Road, Hong Lok Road, Fung Lin Road and Shui Pin Wai), four routes (610, 614, 615, 761P) within Yuen Long Town where people can interchange with West Rail at Yuen Long Terminus.
• Bus
  • KMB: 53, 54, 64K, 68A, 68M, 68X, 76K, 77K, 263M, 264M, 268B, 268C, 269D, 276, 276P, 277, 968 (cross-harbour)
  • KCR Buses: K65, K66, K68, K73
  • LWB: E34
• Public light bus
  • Green minibuses
    • 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 44B, 71, 72, 73, 74, 74A, 75, 76, 77, 78, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 608, 609, 611, 612
  • Red minibuses
    • Yuen Long to Tuen Mun (Chi Lok Garden), Jordan, Sheung Shui (via Castle Peak Road or Fan Kam Road), Sheung Tsuen (via Kam Tin Road or Kam Sheung Road), Tai Tong, Tai Po, Tsuen Wan, Lok Ma Chau and Kwun Tong.

[edit] Overnight Service

• Bus
  • KMB: N269, N277
  • LWB: N30
  • Cross Harbour: N968
• Public light bus
  • Green Mini Bus: 606S, 607S, 610S, 616S

[edit] See also

• Yuen Long District
• Yuen Long
• Yuen Long New Town
• West Rail
  • Long Ping station
  • Yuen Long station