Aberdeen Harbour

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Aberdeen Harbour

Harbour of Aberdeen

香港仔

hoeng1 gong2 zai2

Transliterations
Mandarin
- Hanyu Pinyin:	Xiānggǎngzǎi
Yue (Cantonese)
- Jyutping:	hoeng1 gong2 zai2
- IPA:	hœŋ₅₅ kɔŋ₃₅ tsɐɪ₃₅

For the harbour serving the Scottish city of Aberdeen, see Transport in Aberdeen.

Aberdeen is an area at the south shore of the Hong Kong Island of Hong Kong. It is part of the Southern District. Aberdeen Harbour is a harbour between Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau. Aberdeen traditionally includes the town of Aberdeen, Wong Chuk Hang and Ap Lei Chau, but it sometimes referred to the town only.

1 Etymology
2 Transport
3 Food
4 In popular culture
5 Education
6 References
7 See also
8 References
9 External links

[edit] Etymology

Aberdeen was named, in 1845, after the British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen. It is famous to tourists for the boat people living in the harbour and the floating seafood restaurants such as the Jumbo Floating Restaurant. The boat people are generally associated with the fishing industry, and there are also several dozen expatriates living on boats in the harbour.

Aberdeen is known indigenously as Heung Kong Tsai or Hong Kong Tsai (香港仔), which means Hong Kong Minor. It is believed that Aberdeen is where the name of Hong Kong (more accurate transcription, Heung Kong) originates. Heung Kong Tsuen (香港村, Hong Kong village) on Ap Lei Chau was mentioned in Ming maps. Another walled-village Heung Kong Wai in Wong Chuk Hang was also founded during Qianlong era of Qing. Heung Kong mean Fragrant Harbour, where incense trees (Aquilaria sinensis) from New Territories were transferred here to export to other cities in China. One alternative Chinese name was "Shek Pai Wan"^[1] (石排灣).

Panoramic view of Aberdeen Harbour, Hong Kong, from Ocean Park. The island at the centre is Ap Lei Chau. Aberdeen Harbour is located between Ap Lei Chau and the town of Aberdeen to the right.

[edit] Transport

Aberdeen Harbour Sampan Boat port

Aberdeen is served by Pok Fu Lam Road, and Aberdeen Tunnel and Nam Fung Road through Wong Chuk Hang. Nam Fung Road connects Deep Water Bay Road, which also connects Wong Nai Chung Gap Road to Happy Valley. A bridge links Aberdeen with Ap Lei Chau over the Aberdeen Harbour.

The proposed MTR South Island Line (West Section) will have stations in this area.

There are regular ferries to Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan on Lamma Island.

Transport to and from the boats in the harbour is usually provided by sampans. These can also be hired to Lamma.

[edit] Food

Aberdeen Jumbo Floating Restaurant [1] is a favoured tourist spot. Looking like a floating palace of imperial China, it has attracted 30 million visitor since opening in 1976. Some of the famous diners include Queen Elizabeth II, John Wayne, Tom Cruise, Chow Yun Fat and Gong Li. The place was also featured in many Hong Kong and Hollywood movies.