Kau Sai Chau
Encyclopedia
Kau Sai Chau is an island
located off the coast of Sai Kung
of Hong Kong
, with an area of 6.70 km², making it the 6th largest island of Hong Kong.
. Its northern shore forms part of the soutern limit of Port Shelter
, of which it is the largest island. Kau Sai Chau is connected in the north by a breakwater
to the smaller island Yim Tin Tsai
. The southern tip of the island is separated by a narrow channel from Jin Island
(Tiu Chung Chau).
, is the only public golf course in Hong Kong. Opened in 1995, it occupies approximately the northern half of the island. It comprises three 18-hole golf courses: the North and South Courses were designed by Gary Player
, while Nelson & Haworth designed the East Course.
Kau Sai Village is a small fishing hamlet with about ten houses. It is located at the southern tip of the island.
Two declared monuments of Hong Kong
are located on Kau Sai Chau: a prehistoric rock carving
and a Hung Shing Temple
:
The prehistoric rock carving was discovered in 1976. It is located on the north-western coast of the island, in a location "where accessibility by land is extremely poor".
The Hung Shing Temple is located in the southern part of the island, near Kau Sai Village, of which it is the only temple. The building was built before 1889. It is constructed in grey bricks with a timber roof frame. The temple has been renovated four times, in 1949, in the 1970s, in 1988 and the last being from August 1999 to February 2000. The restoration was declared an "Outstanding Project" by the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage 2000 Awards. Previously a Grade III Historic Building, the temple was declared a monument on November 15, 2002. The Hung Shing Festival (洪聖誕) is celebrated there on the 13th day of the 2nd month in Chinese calendar
.
and the ferry pier of the Public Golf Course. Other parts of the island may be reached by privately-owned boats from Sai Kung Pier. The Hong Kong Jockey Club
runs three Solar Sailor ferries to the island per hour. Also, Kau Sai Village may be reached by an approximately 40 minute walk along the Water Services supply line (for safety reasons, walking onto the golf courses is not advised).
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
located off the coast of Sai Kung
Sai Kung Town
Sai Kung Town or simply Sai Kung is a town on Sai Kung Peninsula, facing the Sai Kung Hoi , part of Sai Kung District in the New Territories, Hong Kong...
of 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...
, with an area of 6.70 km², making it the 6th largest island of Hong Kong.
Geography
Kau Sai Chau is located south of the Sai Kung PeninsulaSai Kung Peninsula
Sai Kung Peninsula is a peninsula in the easternmost part of the New Territories in Hong Kong. Its name comes from Sai Kung Town in the central southern area of the peninsula...
. Its northern shore forms part of the soutern limit of Port Shelter
Port Shelter
Port Shelter, also known as Ngau Mei Hoi indigenously, is a harbour south of Sai Kung Peninsula in Hong Kong.-External links:*...
, of which it is the largest island. Kau Sai Chau is connected in the north by a breakwater
Breakwater (structure)
Breakwaters are structures constructed on coasts as part of coastal defence or to protect an anchorage from the effects of weather and longshore drift.-Purposes of breakwaters:...
to the smaller island Yim Tin Tsai
Yim Tin Tsai (Sai Kung)
Yim Tin Tsai is a small offshore island in Sai Kung, Hong Kong. There is no permanent population on the island.-Geography:...
. The southern tip of the island is separated by a narrow channel from Jin Island
Jin Island
-Geography:Jin Island is located south of the larger island of Kau Sai Chau, from which it is separated by a narrow channel. The smaller Bay Islet is located off its eastern coast, from which it is separated by the channel See Chau Mun ....
(Tiu Chung Chau).
Features
The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course, developed and run by the Hong Kong Jockey ClubHong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, founded in 1884 to promote horse racing. It was granted Royal Charter and renamed to "The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club" in 1959...
, is the only public golf course in Hong Kong. Opened in 1995, it occupies approximately the northern half of the island. It comprises three 18-hole golf courses: the North and South Courses were designed by Gary Player
Gary Player
Gary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...
, while Nelson & Haworth designed the East Course.
Kau Sai Village is a small fishing hamlet with about ten houses. It is located at the southern tip of the island.
Two declared monuments of Hong Kong
Declared monuments of Hong Kong
Declared monuments of Hong Kong are places, structures or buildings legally declared to be "protected". In Hong Kong, declaring a monument requires consulting the Antiquities Advisory Board, the approval of the Chief Executive as well as the publication of the notice in government gazette.As of 12...
are located on Kau Sai Chau: a prehistoric rock carving
Prehistoric Hong Kong
Prehistoric Hong Kong is the period between the arrival of the first humans in the modern Hong Kong region and the start of recorded in Chinese history. The history of the region is...
and a Hung Shing Temple
Hung Shing Temple
Hung Shing Temples or Tai Wong Temples are temples dedicated to Hung Shing. Hung Shing temples have been widely built in southern China, especially Guangdong province and in Hong Kong.-Existing temples:...
:
The prehistoric rock carving was discovered in 1976. It is located on the north-western coast of the island, in a location "where accessibility by land is extremely poor".
The Hung Shing Temple is located in the southern part of the island, near Kau Sai Village, of which it is the only temple. The building was built before 1889. It is constructed in grey bricks with a timber roof frame. The temple has been renovated four times, in 1949, in the 1970s, in 1988 and the last being from August 1999 to February 2000. The restoration was declared an "Outstanding Project" by the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage 2000 Awards. Previously a Grade III Historic Building, the temple was declared a monument on November 15, 2002. The Hung Shing Festival (洪聖誕) is celebrated there on the 13th day of the 2nd month in Chinese calendar
Chinese calendar
The Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, incorporating elements of a lunar calendar with those of a solar calendar. It is not exclusive to China, but followed by many other Asian cultures as well...
.
Transportation
A scheduled ferry service connects Sai Kung TownSai Kung Town
Sai Kung Town or simply Sai Kung is a town on Sai Kung Peninsula, facing the Sai Kung Hoi , part of Sai Kung District in the New Territories, Hong Kong...
and the ferry pier of the Public Golf Course. Other parts of the island may be reached by privately-owned boats from Sai Kung Pier. The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, founded in 1884 to promote horse racing. It was granted Royal Charter and renamed to "The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club" in 1959...
runs three Solar Sailor ferries to the island per hour. Also, Kau Sai Village may be reached by an approximately 40 minute walk along the Water Services supply line (for safety reasons, walking onto the golf courses is not advised).