Aberdeen (Hong Kong)
Encyclopedia
Aberdeen is a town on the south shore of Hong Kong Island
in Hong Kong
. Administratively, it is part of the Southern District
. Aberdeen Harbour is a harbour
between Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau
. The name 'Aberdeen' usually covers the areas of Aberdeen, Wong Chuk Hang
and Ap Lei Chau, but it is more often used to refer to the town only. Population is approximately 60,000.
Aberdeen is famous to tourists for its floating village
and floating seafood restaurants located within the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelters
. The Tanka people
are generally associated with the fishing industry, and there are also several dozen expatriates living on boats in the harbour.
, George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen
.
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 the Qing Dynasty
. Heung Kong means "fragrant harbour" and it was Aberdeen where incense trees (aquilaria sinensis
) from the New Territories
used to be transferred for export to other cities in China
. One alternative Chinese name was "Shek Pai Wan" (石排灣).
is a major sports and events venue in Southern District
.
.
The Hollywood martial arts film, Enter the Dragon
starring Bruce Lee
used Aberdeen Harbour as a filming location for the scenes where the principal characters assemble on Han's junk for the sea journey to his island.
, Singapore International School and Victoria Shanghai Academy are all located on Nam Long Shan
. Victoria Shanghai Academy is an International Baccalaureate World School, and runs all three educational programs of the IB. The International Montessori School is located on Ap Lei Chau near Aberdeen.
South Island School
is located nearby on Hong Kong Island.
Local Chinese high schools in Aberdeen district include Pui Tak Canossian College and St Peter's Secondary School in Aberdeen Centre and Aberdeen Technical School in Wong Chuk Hang.
, 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 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 sampan
s. These can also be hired to Lamma Island.
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. Administratively, it is part of the Southern District
Southern District, Hong Kong
The Southern District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It is located in the southern part of Hong Kong Island. It had a population of 290,240 in 2001. This district has the fourth lowest population of Hong Kong.-Geography:...
. Aberdeen Harbour is a harbour
Harbor
A harbor or harbour , or haven, is a place where ships, boats, and barges can seek shelter from stormy weather, or else are stored for future use. Harbors can be natural or artificial...
between Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau
Ap Lei Chau
Ap Lei Chau , or Aberdeen Island, is an island of Hong Kong, located south-west of Hong Kong Island, next to Aberdeen Harbour and Aberdeen Channel, with an area of 1.30 km². Administratively, it is part of Southern District. Ap Lei Chau is the third most densely populated island in the world.-...
. The name 'Aberdeen' usually covers the areas of Aberdeen, Wong Chuk Hang
Wong Chuk Hang
Wong Chuk Hang is an industrial and residential town to the east of Aberdeen and to the north of Nam Long Shan and to the west of Shouson Hill, on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong...
and Ap Lei Chau, but it is more often used to refer to the town only. Population is approximately 60,000.
Aberdeen is famous to tourists for its floating village
Aberdeen floating village
Aberdeen floating village is located at the Aberdeen Harbour in the Southern District of Hong Kong. The harbour contains approximately 600 junks, which house an estimated 6,000 people....
and floating seafood restaurants located within the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelters
Aberdeen Typhoon Shelters
The Aberdeen Typhoon Shelters of Hong Kong are Aberdeen West Typhoon Shelter and Aberdeen South Typhoon Shelter . Both typhoon shelters are located in Southern District, between the southern part of Hong Kong Island and the island Ap Lei Chau. They are roughly separated by the Ap Lei Chau Bridge...
. The Tanka people
Tanka (ethnic group)
The Tankas or Boat people is a special group of people in Southern China that has traditionally lived on junks in coastal parts of Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Hainan, and Zhejiang provinces, as well as Hong Kong and Macau...
are generally associated with the fishing industry, and there are also several dozen expatriates living on boats in the harbour.
Etymology
Starting during the Ming Dynasty, "Hong Kong" became the original name for the presently-named Aberdeen village. In the early 19th century, foreigners who landed near Aberdeen Village mistook the name of the village "Hong Kong" for the whole island. When the foreigners eventually realized their mistake, the name "Hong Kong" was already commonly used to refer to the entire island. Thus in 1845, Aberdeen was named after the British Secretary of State for War and the ColoniesSecretary of State for War and the Colonies
The Secretary of State for War and the Colonies was a British cabinet level position responsible for the army and the British colonies . The Department was created in 1801...
, George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen
George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen
George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen KG, KT, FRS, PC , styled Lord Haddo from 1791 to 1801, was a Scottish politician, successively a Tory, Conservative and Peelite, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1852 until 1855.-Early life:Born in Edinburgh on 28 January 1784, he...
.
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
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
maps. Another walled-village Heung Kong Wai in Wong Chuk Hang was also founded during Qianlong
Qianlong Emperor
The Qianlong Emperor was the sixth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty, and the fourth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. The fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor, he reigned officially from 11 October 1735 to 8 February 1796...
era of the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
. Heung Kong means "fragrant harbour" and it was Aberdeen where incense trees (aquilaria sinensis
Aquilaria sinensis
Aquilaria sinensis is a species of plant in the Thymelaeaceae family. It is endemic to China. It is threatened by habitat loss. This medicinal plant is a source of fragrant wood, formed under a pathological condition, called Chen Xiang or agarwood....
) from the New Territories
New Territories
New Territories is one of the three main regions of Hong Kong, alongside Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. It makes up 86.2% of Hong Kong's territory. Historically, it is the region described in The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory...
used to be transferred for export to other cities in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. One alternative Chinese name was "Shek Pai Wan" (石排灣).
Food
Aberdeen Jumbo Floating Restaurant is a popular tourist spot. Looking like a floating palace of imperial China, it has attracted over 30 million visitors since opening in 1976 and has been featured in several Hong Kong and Hollywood movies.Sports
Aberdeen Sports GroundAberdeen Sports Ground
Aberdeen Sports Ground is a multi-purpose sports ground situated at 108 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong.It consists of one Running Track and one natural grass pitch....
is a major sports and events venue in Southern District
Southern District, Hong Kong
The Southern District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It is located in the southern part of Hong Kong Island. It had a population of 290,240 in 2001. This district has the fourth lowest population of Hong Kong.-Geography:...
.
In popular culture
Aberdeen Harbour is the first area of the video game Shenmue IIShenmue II
is a adventure game for the Dreamcast and Xbox. It is the sequel to Shenmue, and was produced and directed by Yu Suzuki of Sega AM2.Due to exclusivity rights obtained by Microsoft, the North American Dreamcast version was cancelled. Because of this, no English dub was recorded for the Dreamcast...
.
The Hollywood martial arts film, Enter the Dragon
Enter the Dragon
Enter the Dragon is a 1973 Hong Kong martial arts co-production with Golden Harvest and Warner Bros. studios, directed by Robert Clouse; starring Bruce Lee, Jim Kelly and John Saxon. This is Bruce Lee's final film appearance before his death on July 20, 1973...
starring Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
used Aberdeen Harbour as a filming location for the scenes where the principal characters assemble on Han's junk for the sea journey to his island.
Education
Canadian International School of Hong KongCanadian International School of Hong Kong
Canadian International School of Hong Kong is a leading international school in Aberdeen, Hong Kong. Founded in 1991, CDNIS ranks as one of the city’s most esteemed and well-respected international schools, and is recognized as one of the leading schools in Asia...
, Singapore International School and Victoria Shanghai Academy are all located on Nam Long Shan
Nam Long Shan
Nam Long Shan is a hill on the Hong Kong Island of Hong Kong, China, near Wong Chuk Hang and Aberdeen. At an elevation of 247 metres, it overlooks the South China Sea in the south, Sham Wan and Aberdeen Channel in the west, and Deep Water Bay in the east.The Headland of Ocean Park is on the...
. Victoria Shanghai Academy is an International Baccalaureate World School, and runs all three educational programs of the IB. The International Montessori School is located on Ap Lei Chau near Aberdeen.
South Island School
South Island School
South Island School is an international school founded by the English Schools Foundation of Hong Kong, located at 50 Nam Fung Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong...
is located nearby on Hong Kong Island.
Local Chinese high schools in Aberdeen district include Pui Tak Canossian College and St Peter's Secondary School in Aberdeen Centre and Aberdeen Technical School in Wong Chuk Hang.
Transport
Aberdeen is served by Pok Fu Lam RoadPok Fu Lam Road
Pokfulam Road, or Pok Fu Lam Road, is a four-lane road in Hong Kong. Built on Hong Kong Island, the road runs between Sai Ying Pun and Wah Fu, through Pok Fu Lam....
, Aberdeen Tunnel
Aberdeen Tunnel
Aberdeen Tunnel is a two-tube tunnel linking Happy Valley and Wong Chuk Hang near Aberdeen on the Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. It shortens the travel time between the north and the south of the Hong Kong Island. It connects the Wong Chuk Hang Road in the south, and Canal Road Flyover in the...
and Nam Fung Road through Wong Chuk Hang
Wong Chuk Hang
Wong Chuk Hang is an industrial and residential town to the east of Aberdeen and to the north of Nam Long Shan and to the west of Shouson Hill, on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong...
. Nam Fung Road connects Deep Water Bay Road, which also connects Wong Nai Chung Gap Road to Happy Valley
Happy Valley, Hong Kong
Happy Valley is a mostly residential suburb of Hong Kong, located in the northern part of Hong Kong Island. Administratively, it is part of Wan Chai District....
. A bridge links Aberdeen with Ap Lei Chau
Ap Lei Chau
Ap Lei Chau , or Aberdeen Island, is an island of Hong Kong, located south-west of Hong Kong Island, next to Aberdeen Harbour and Aberdeen Channel, with an area of 1.30 km². Administratively, it is part of Southern District. Ap Lei Chau is the third most densely populated island in the world.-...
over Aberdeen Harbour.
The proposed MTR
MTR
Mass Transit Railway is the rapid transit railway system in Hong Kong. Originally opened in 1979, the system now includes 211.6 km of rail with 155 stations, including 86 railway stations and 69 light rail stops...
South Island Line (West Section)
South Island Line
The South Island Line is a proposed line of the Hong Kong MTR metro system. Construction to the southern end of Hong Kong Island, which is at present not serviced by any rail transport, has been approved by the Executive Council of Hong Kong...
will have stations in this area.
There are regular ferries to Yung Shue Wan
Yung Shue Wan
Yung Shue Wan is the main population centre on Lamma Island, Hong Kong. It has a population of approximately 6,000.-Features:The village is a mix of residential properties, shops and restaurants. Yung Shue Wan gives a Mediterranean feeling when walking through it...
and Sok Kwu Wan
Sok Kwu Wan
thumb|250px|Sok Kwu Wan viewed from [[Lamma Island]] walkSok Kwu Wan or Picnic Bay is a bay in the Middle East coast of Lamma Island, Hong Kong...
on Lamma Island
Lamma Island
Lamma Island , also known as Pok Liu Chau or simply Pok Liu , is the third largest island in Hong Kong. Administratively, it is part of the Islands District.-Name:...
.
Transport to and from the boats in the harbour is usually provided by sampan
Sampan
A sampan is a relatively flat bottomed Chinese wooden boat from long. Some sampans include a small shelter on board, and may be used as a permanent habitation on inland waters. Sampans are generally used for transportation in coastal areas or rivers, and are often used as traditional fishing boats...
s. These can also be hired to Lamma Island.
See also
- List of harbours in Hong Kong
- List of buildings, sites and areas in Hong Kong
- AberdeenAberdeenAberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, Scotland, which also has a harbour - Central Ordnance Munitions Depot
External links
- Aberdeen photo gallery (Archived 2009-10-24)
- Satellite view of the site