North Point
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| North Point | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chinese: | 北角 | |
| Mandarin | ||
| Hanyu Pinyin: | běi jiǎo | |
| Cantonese | ||
| IPA: | [pɐk1 kɔk3] | |
| Yale: | bak1 gok3 | |
| Min Nan | Pe̍h-ōe-jī: | Pak-kak |
North Point is an area located in the northern part of Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong, China between Causeway Bay and Quarry Bay. Administratively, it belongs to Eastern District. The name is derived from a directional reference to the "point" projecting toward Kowloon Bay.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
In 1941 the first power station was established in North Point. It was also a refugee camp to house Nationalist soldiers, and then later, Canadian POWs during the Japanese Occupation. By 1949 when the Communist Party of China took control of Shanghai, large number of businesses moved directly to the Eastern District. Due the Chinese Civil War, large numbers of rich and middle-class Shanghainese fled to Hong Kong to escape from the turmoil. By the 1950s North Point was the premiere place of residence for these emigrants, leading to a massive population boom. The main transformation started around 1947-1948. In 1950 North Point was known as "Little Shanghai" (小上海), since in the mind of many, it has already become the replacement for the surrendered Shanghai in China.[1] The first wave of emigrants brought over Shanghai style restaurants, beauty parlours and barbershops. That same group have also learned Cantonese and intermarried with other dialect groups, and became part of the Hong Kong identity. Shanghai at the time was also heavily associated with leftist revolutions. Leftist-supported businesses like Sunbeam Theatre, showcasing Chinese Opera, is a landmark to their migration. The second group moving to North Point were the Fujianese, who were mostly displaced by political events in Southeast Asia. The small Indonesian specialist grocery shops selling coffee, coconuts and bumbu are some of the remaining traces of their identity. "Little Fujian" have also been an associated name.[1]
[edit] Culture
Second to Cantonese, Min Nan is the most widely spoken language here. When the Guinness Book of Records was first published in the 1950s, North Point was listed as the most densely populated place on earth. Today North Point comprises a mix of new luxury developments and older Chinese buildings. The area is undergoing something of a rejuvenation due to the rise in demand for office space in the area.
[edit] Places in North Point
- City Garden
- City Garden Hotel
- Provident Centre
- Newton Hotel
- AIA Tower
- Choi Sai Woo Park (on Braemar Hill)
- Chun Yeung Street Market
- Kiu Kwan Mansion
- Sunbeam Theatre
- Harbour Plaza, North Point
- Hong Kong Funeral Home
[edit] Features
Many Min Nan associations (閩南同鄉會) are based in North Point to bring people from the same towns or villages together.
The first school in Hong Kong using Mandarin as the major medium of instruction, Kiangsu & Chekiang Primary School, was founded in North Point by the early Shanghainese immigrants.
Several Min Nan-speaking churches are located in North Point to serve the Min Nan Christians.
[edit] Transport
- North Point is served by the Island Line and the Tseung Kwan O Line of the MTR system. The MTR station is the terminus of Tseung Kwan O Line.
- There is one highway serving North Point: Island Eastern Corridor, which runs along the waterfront of North Point.
- North Point is served by Hong Kong Tramways, of which it is one of the seven terminal points.
- It is also served by the New World First Bus Services Limited and Citybus Company. The two companies also provide cross-harbor bus services jointly with the Kowloon Motor Bus Company.
- Ferries connect North Point ferry pier to various places in Hong Kong, including Hung Hom, Kowloon City, Kwun Tong and Po Toi Islands.
- During the annual Tin Hau Festival, special ferries will be operated from North Point ferry pier to Joss House Bay.
- It is also served by Public Light Buses.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Wordie, Jason. [2002] (2002) Streets: Exploring Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press. ISBN 962-2095631
