Ma On Shan (area)
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Ma On Shan (Traditional Chinese: 馬鞍山; pinyin: Mǎānshān) is an extension of the Sha Tin New Town along eastern coast of Tolo Harbour in the New Territories, Hong Kong. Although being part of Sha Tin New Town, the new town extension is designed to have its own town centre. Administratively, it belongs to Sha Tin District.
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[edit] Geography
Ma On Shan is located by the west face of the twin peaks of Ma On Shan, which can be translated as "horse saddle mountain". The town is built on the strip between Tolo Harbour and Ma On Shan mountain. The north end of the town reaches the settlement of Wu Kai Sha and the south Tai Shui Hang.
[edit] History
Deep inside the slope of Ma On Shan was an iron mine. The mine was long abandoned before the more recent new town development. The quarrying workers spoke a language which is a combination of various languages in South China.
[edit] Entertainment
Whilst Ma On Shan is a relatively small town in the New Territories, it is well-known by Hong Kong residents and expatriates alike. There is much to see and do in Ma on Shan, especially if you enjoy shopping: the town boasts an impressive shopping centre, Sunshine City Plaza, which is three floors of pure shopping heaven. Connecting to Sunshine City Plaza on one side is Ma On Shan Plaza, and on the other is Sunshine Bazaar. Altogether, the three malls provide many things one would need in modern-day life.
[edit] Sunshine City Plaza
Three floors of shops mean that Sunshine City Plaza is a one-stop place to buy almost anything. The majority of shops are clothing shops, including such well-known labels as Levi's, Bauhaus, K-Swiss, Adidas, Giordano, and over fifty other shops, mostly specialising in women's fashion. Sunshine City Plaza also boasts a large 'Citistore' department store which sells many things.
Numerous restaurants abound in the plaza and as well as local Cantonese favourites; you will find McDonald's, Hardee's and KFC outlets as well as a Cafe de Coral. A large Wellcome supermarket is present as is a pharmacy, cosmetics shop, hairdressers and tea houses, bakeries, shoe-shops, sweet shops and a classic favourites, two HK "$10" shops.
[edit] Public Facilities
The Ma On Shan Sports Centre is open all week. Badminton courts and table-tennis tables abound, and the cost of a badminton court for one hour is around HK$60. Students, however, receive a discount, and can book any facility for half-price, upon proof of their student status.
Near the sports centre is the Ma On Shan Public Swimming Pool. Adjacent to the pool is the 'SA Poolside Cafe', a cafe run by the Salvation Army, in which young disabled men and women have the opportunity to undertake training and work in the cafe. Supervised by an experienced team, the majority of the cafe's profits go towards the Salvation Army, and despite what one may be inclined to think, the food is excellent and cheap. The Public Library is near the Sports Centre and Swimming Pool, and there are free internet service and word-processing facilities.
[edit] Transportation
Ma On Shan is served by green taxis (New Territories taxis). There are numerous other modes of transport including minibuses, KMB, and NWFB (on cross-harbour routes). The KCR Ma On Shan Rail link began service on December 21st, 2004, and it connects to the KCR East Rail line at Tai Wai Station. The stops of the Ma On Shan Rail line are:
The Ma On Shan Rail ends at Tai Wai, where passengers can change to KCR East Rail. The stop after Tai Wai is Kowloon Tong, where passengers can then change from KCR East Rail to the MTR.
[edit] Schools
- Renaissance College Hong Kong [1]
- Hong Kong Taoist Association Shun Yeung Primary School [2]
- Tak Sun Secondary School [3]
- Li Po Chun United World College [4]
- Po Leung Kuk Chong Kee Ting Primary School [5]
