Kwun Tong
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about the area of Kwun Tong. For the administrative district covering Kwun Tong, Ngau Tau Kok, Yau Tong, Ping Shek, etc., see Kwun Tong District.
Kwun Tong (traditional Chinese: 觀塘; originally 官塘) is an area in Kwun Tong District, situated at the eastern part of the Kowloon Peninsula, and its boundary stretches from Lion Rock in the north to Lei Yue Mun in the south, and from the winding paths of Kowloon Peak in the east to the north coast of the Airport (Kai Tak) runway in the west.
Kwun Tong is one of the earliest developed urban areas in Hong Kong. Its population has been growing rapidly, and the demand for housing, medical and educational facilities and services has been increasing. In view of this, a number of community development projects, such as the redevelopment of old housing estates and the construction of major parks, have been implemented in recent years. These projects have incorporated a wide range of supporting facilities, like primary and secondary schools, clinics, community centres and open spaces. All these facilities have brought about a new face to the Kwun Tong District, making it a more comfortable place for the people to live.
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[edit] History
Kwun Tong was formerly called Koon Tong. Some say it was named after the Koon Fu salt yards, set up by the government to secure central administration of the salt trade and prevent unauthorised salt preparation and trading. In those days, there were many salt yards around Kwun Tong, whose long coastline stretches as far as Kowloon Bay and To Kwa Wan in the west. Troops were stationed here to monitor the salt yards' operation. Despite the government's close watch, an illegal salt trade was still active on Lantau Island. When the officials found out, a full-scale crackdown was initiated. The Lantau villagers instigated an all-out uprising of salt farmers, leading finally to a major civil riot.
According to other stories, Kwun Tong was a typhoon shelter for the Kowloon Water Police, which made it an important political and defence point of northwest Kowloon. Black Hill (Ng Kwai Shan), which today rises up behind Lam Tin Estate, was known as Koon Fu Hill at that time.
[edit] Features
[edit] Town Central
- Yue Man Square (裕民坊) is the heart of the town. Most of the banks' branches are located on this road. The Government District Office is located at the eastern end of Yue Man Square. More than 20 franchised bus and public mini-bus routes pass through or stop at this road.
- Mut Wah Street (物華街) is also called "Golden Street" because there were nearly 10 jewelry shops. It is most famous for the armed-robbery by Yip Kai-Fuen (葉繼歡) when he used an AK47 machine gun to rob 5 of the jewellery shops in 1992.
- Shui Wo Street (瑞和街) is a (wet) "market" street.
- Hip Wo Street (協和街) has the one and only hospital in Kwun Tong, namely United Christian Hospital, at 130 Hip Wo Street.
- Hong Ning Road (康寧道) is the "Mid-levels" of Kwun Tong. The headquarters of Hong Kong Police Force Sau Mau Ping Division is at 200 Hong Ning Road, near Sau Mau Ping.
- Tsui Ping Road (翠屏道) is located in Kwun Tong. Tsui Ping Estate and Wo Lok Estate are situated here. Kwun Tong Maryknoll College is located at 100 Tsui Ping Road.
- Kwun Tong Road (觀塘道) is the main road that leads into and out of the Kwun Tong district. Kwun Tong MTR station is directly above this road. Kwun Tong's latest shopping mall, apm, is situated on this road next to Kwun Tong MTR station.
- apm Millennium City 5 is a large shopping mall of Eastern Kowloon with its slogan "Play More Sleep Less".
[edit] Industrial Area
Kwun Tong is one of the industrial areas in Hong Kong. The factories had been built since 1950's. The industrial area have since then expanded to Kowloon Bay, Kwun Tong, and Yau Tong. Since the importance of industry in Hong Kong is fading out, many factories were tore down and commercial buildings are being constructed to replace them.
[edit] Residential Area
The residential areas in Kwun Tong are mainly located in upper Kwun Tong, to the northeast of Kwun Tong Road. Kwun Tong is the most densely populated statoid in the world, with 564,700 living in 11 square kilometres with a density of 51,336 people per square kilometre.
[edit] Location
Kwun Tong is situated at the eastern part of the Kowloon Peninsula, and its boundary stretches from Lion Rock in the north to Lei Yue Mun in the south, and from the winding paths of Kowloon Peak in the east to the north coast of the Airport (Kai Tak) runway in the west.
[edit] Transport
Kwun Tong is served by the Kwun Tong Station of MTR's Kwun Tong Line.
Roads that are serving the area include:
Kwun Tong Pier used to be a major transport hub for cross-harbour passengers until the opening of the MTR and the Eastern Cross Harbour Tunnel. Today ferries services to Sai Wan Ho and North Point are still available.
