Ma Wan (Chinese: 馬灣) is an island of Hong Kong, located between Lantau Island and Tsing Yi Island, with an area of 0.97 km².[1] Administratively, it is part of Tsuen Wan District.[2]
The Lantau Link that passes through Ma Wan was constructed in the mid-1990s as part of the Hong Kong Government's Rose Garden plan to connect the new Hong Kong International Airport to the city centre. Its development fostered plans to develop the island. Today, a large part of Ma Wan is occupied by the Park Island apartment complex. A theme park, named Ma Wan Park was built to accompany the housing project, with its first phase opened on July 1, 2007.[3]
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Ma Wan has an area of 0.97 km².[1] Its highest point is Tai Leng Tau (69 m) in the southeast.[4] Two channels separate Ma Wan and other major islands.
Remains have been found from the Mid-Neolithic Age (about 3000 BC), the late Neolithic Age (about 2000 BC), the early to late Bronze Age of coastal South China (1500-500 BC),[5] the period of the Warring States to the Han Dynasty (206 BC -220 AD),[5] the Tang Dynasty (618-917 AD) and the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD).
Complete Neolithic human skeletal remains were found in tombs at Tung Wan Tsai in 1997. (Ref. The Antiquities and Monuments Office of the Home Affairs Bureau)
The prehistoric island had late neolithic inhabitants as proved by recent excavations. There were also inhabitants here during the Han Dynasty. More recently in the last 250 years it was a small fishing village named Tin Liu, only accessible by boats or ferries. It was founded by a Chan family from Tsing Yi island.
Ma Wan once had a Customs house,[6] still recorded by a stone monument named "Kowloon Gate" monument. (see it near to the old Rural Committee). It ceased activity on October 4, 1899[7]
Foreign visitors in 1794.[8]
24 housing units donated by Americans in 1965 (see them on a top of a hill near to the Fishermen's association)
As of 1995, fish farming was the predominant economic activity on Ma Wan.[4]
Ma Wan had a population of 800 in 2000.[9] With the development of the Park Island apartment complex, villagers were rehoused in the northern part of the island. As part of the compensation package, they could choose either a 3-storey traditional village house of 2,100 sq ft or 3 separate units, each of 700 sq ft in one single block.[10]
Park Island is a private housing estate that was mainly developed by Sun Hung Kai Properties as part of the Ma Wan Development joint venture project[11] and completed from 2002 to 2006 in six phases.
Although the Hong Kong government originally claimed it would be "physically impossible" to give the island a road connection via the Lantau Link, this proved to be possible after all as part of the Park Island construction. The island is now connected to Tsing Yi by the Tsing Ma Bridge (a suspension bridge), and to Lantau Island by the Kap Shui Mun Bridge (a cable-stayed bridge). Both bridges are part of the Lantau Link.
Park Island Transport Co., Ltd. operates bus services between Park Island and Tsing Yi MTR Station, Park Island and Kwai Fong Metroplaza, Park Island and Hong Kong International Airport; Park Island and Tsuen Wan (close to the Tsuen Wan MTR station).
With effective from 3 July 2008, urban taxis are allowed access into Ma Wan during the overnight period from 8pm to 7am to meet residents' transport needs.[17]
Private vehicles are generally not permitted to enter the island, (taxis are allowed from 8pm to 7am) an arrangement which also exists in Discovery Bay on the nearby Lantau Island; however a permit can be requested from the Transport Department of Hong Kong. Minibuses are not allowed, but the Park Island management company operates cars in case of emergency or special situations, though their availability is not guaranteed. Lorries may enter the island between 10am to 4pm daily without the need for a special permit.
There are several ferry piers on the island: Park Island Ferry Pier on the northeast, one on the old Tin Liu village on the west (formerly hosting Sham Tseng ferries), Man Wan Public Pier on the southwest at Ma Wan Main Street Village,[18] Tai Pai Tsui Pier on the south of the island facing Tang Lung Chau,[18] one on the north of the island used for the garbage removal, one on the southeast side (but on a Government land not open).
Park Island Transport Co., Ltd. operates ferry services between Park Island and Central and between Park Island and Tsuen Wan Pier (next to the Tsuen Wan West MTR station).
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