Kowloon Bay
Encyclopedia
Kowloon Bay is a bay
located at the east of the Kowloon Peninsula
and north of Hong Kong Island
in Hong Kong
. It is the eastern portion of Victoria Harbour
, between Hung Hom
and Lei Yue Mun
. The bay is divided into half when the runway of the former Kai Tak International Airport was constructed in the middle of the bay.
The reclamation of north-eastern Kowloon Bay near Ngau Tau Kok
is also named Kowloon Bay. It is formerly known as Ngau Tau Kok Industrial Area. After the construction of MTR Kowloon Bay Station, the area is referred as Kowloon Bay. The area near the MTR station is residential while near the shore industrial. The area is traditionally an extension of Ngau Tau Kok, and thus facilities such as Ngau Tau Kok Police Station are located there.
. The airport and the waters of the district, on the other hand, belong to Kowloon City District
.
over the past century. Even San Po Kong
, which is now far from the coast, was reclaimed from the bay in the early days.
The eastern is now protected from the sea by a breakwater
, and forms a typhoon shelter
. A small barrel rock, the Kowloon Rock
, is in the typhoon shelter. Other barrel rocks, the Channel Rock
and the Hoi Sham Island
(also To Kwa Wan Island), are now connected to land at the former Kai Tak International Airport runway and at To Kwa Wan
respectively, by land reclamation.
was surrounded by water on 3 sides.
The Hong Kong International Trade and Exhibition Centre
(HITEC) is located in Kowloon Bay.
The first MTR depot is located in the area.
The opening of Enterprise Square Five
in 2006, along with its MegaBOX shopping mall, has transformed Kowloon Bay into a trendy shopping and entertainment area. MegaBOX is complete with IKEA
, MegaICE ice rink, IMAX
cinema and numerous restaurants to suit different budgets.
which would house 240 to 340 thousand residents, a sport stadium, and a pier
for cruises. The reduction in demand for land and environmental issue led to a revision of the project.
The reclamation is serviced by MTR
Kowloon Bay Station
on the Kwun Tong Line which is beside Telford Plaza, along with many bus routes along Kwun Tong Road
. Sections of Route 5
and Route 7
intersect in Kowloon Bay. Kai Tak Tunnel
, part of Route 5, has its eastern entrance located in Kowloon Bay.
as the birthplace of Wayne Campbell's girlfriend, Cassandra.
Michael Connelly's hero Detective Harry Bosch weaves around Kowloon in the novel Nine Dragons (2009).
and YCH Law Chan Chor Si College.
Headlands and bays
Headlands and bays are two related features of the coastal environment.- Geology and geography :Headlands and bays are often found on the same coastline. A bay is surrounded by land on three sides, whereas a headland is surrounded by water on three sides. Headlands are characterized by high,...
located at the east of the Kowloon Peninsula
Kowloon Peninsula
The Kowloon Peninsula is a peninsula that forms the southern part of the main landmass in the territory of Hong Kong. The Kowloon Peninsula and the area of New Kowloon are collectively known as Kowloon....
and north of Hong Kong 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...
. It is the eastern portion of Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour is a natural landform harbour situated between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula in Hong Kong. The harbour's deep, sheltered waters and strategic location on the South China Sea were instrumental in Hong Kong's establishment as a British colony and its subsequent...
, between Hung Hom
Hung Hom
Hung Hom is an area of Kowloon, in Hong Kong, administratively part of the Kowloon City District, with a portion west of the railway in the Yau Tsim Mong District. Hung Hom serves mainly residential purposes though is mixed with some industrial buildings in the north.-Geography:Hung Hom is located...
and Lei Yue Mun
Lei Yue Mun
Lei Yue Mun is a short channel in Hong Kong, between Junk Bay and Victoria Harbour, separating Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The channel is an important passage in the South China Sea. It is the east gate of Victoria Harbour.The lands around the channel are also called Lei Yue Mun...
. The bay is divided into half when the runway of the former Kai Tak International Airport was constructed in the middle of the bay.
The reclamation of north-eastern Kowloon Bay near Ngau Tau Kok
Ngau Tau Kok
Ngau Tau Kok is an area of Kowloon, Hong Kong, located at the northern part of Kwun Tong District, next to Kowloon Bay. It covers Jordan Valley, Ngau Tau Kok and Upper Kwun Tong town centre. The population of Ngau Tau Kok exceeds 210,000...
is also named Kowloon Bay. It is formerly known as Ngau Tau Kok Industrial Area. After the construction of MTR Kowloon Bay Station, the area is referred as Kowloon Bay. The area near the MTR station is residential while near the shore industrial. The area is traditionally an extension of Ngau Tau Kok, and thus facilities such as Ngau Tau Kok Police Station are located there.
Administration
Administratively, the reclamation of Kowloon Bay and water east of the runway except the airport area is part of Kwun Tong DistrictKwun Tong District
Kwun Tong is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It is located in Kowloon. It had a population of 562,427 in 2001. The district has the third highest population while the income is below average....
. The airport and the waters of the district, on the other hand, belong to Kowloon City District
Kowloon City District
Kowloon City District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It is located in Kowloon. It had a population of 381,352 in 2001. The district has the third most educated residents while its residents enjoy the highest income in Kowloon....
.
Geography
The bay has undergone massive reclamationLand reclamation in Hong Kong
Land is in short supply in Hong Kong, and land reclamation has been conducted there since the mid-19th century.-Projects:One of the earliest and famous project was the Praya Reclamation Scheme, which added 50 to of land in 1890 during the second phase of construction...
over the past century. Even San Po Kong
San Po Kong
San Po Kong is an area in New Kowloon in Hong Kong. South of Wong Tai Sin and Diamond Hill, and north of the former Kai Tak International Airport, the area is bounded by Choi Hung Road and Prince Edward Road. San Po Kong is largely industrial and partly residential. Administratively, it belongs...
, which is now far from the coast, was reclaimed from the bay in the early days.
The eastern is now protected from the sea 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:...
, and forms a typhoon shelter
Typhoon shelter
A typhoon shelter is a shelter for fishing boats during typhoons. These facilities are often found in Hong Kong.-Structure:In its usual form, a typhoon shelter is usually in the form of a bay or a cove, with a narrow opening for access, as most of the opening to the seas are blocked by a man-made...
. A small barrel rock, the Kowloon Rock
Kowloon Rock
Kowloon Rock is an island in the middle of Kowloon Bay in Hong Kong, near the runway of Kai Tak Airport. Administratively, it is part of Kowloon City District.The island is now sheltered in the To Kwa Wan typhoon shelter by a dyke across the bay....
, is in the typhoon shelter. Other barrel rocks, the Channel Rock
Channel Rock
Channel Rock was a big rock in the midst of Kowloon Bay in the east Victoria Harbour of Hong Kong, opposite to Kwun Tong Ferry Pier. It was buried in the extension of runway of Kai Tak Airport....
and the Hoi Sham Island
Hoi Sham Island
Hoi Sham Island , also called To Kwa Wan Island , is a former island in Kowloon Bay off the coast at an urban and bay of To Kwa Wan of Kowloon Peninsula in Hong Kong....
(also To Kwa Wan Island), are now connected to land at the former Kai Tak International Airport runway and at To Kwa Wan
To Kwa Wan
To Kwa Wan is a bay and an area of the eastern shore of Kowloon peninsula of Hong Kong. The area is part of urban Hong Kong, and is adjacent to Hok Yuen, Hung Hom, Ma Tau Wai and Ma Tau Kok...
respectively, by land reclamation.
Features
The former Kai Tak International Airport had been built on reclaimed land in the bay, and its runwayRunway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
was surrounded by water on 3 sides.
The Hong Kong International Trade and Exhibition Centre
Hong Kong International Trade and Exhibition Centre
The Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre or KITEC, formerly known as the Hong Kong International Trade and Exhibition Centre or HITEC, is an exhibition centre, shopping mall and performance venue situated at 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong...
(HITEC) is located in Kowloon Bay.
The first MTR depot is located in the area.
The opening of Enterprise Square Five
Enterprise Square Five
Enterprise Square Five is a shopping mall and office building complex in Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong. It was developed by Kerry Properties. It opened in June 2007....
in 2006, along with its MegaBOX shopping mall, has transformed Kowloon Bay into a trendy shopping and entertainment area. MegaBOX is complete with IKEA
IKEA
IKEA is a privately held, international home products company that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture such as beds and desks, appliances and home accessories. The company is the world's largest furniture retailer...
, MegaICE ice rink, IMAX
IMAX
IMAX is a motion picture film format and a set of proprietary cinema projection standards created by the Canadian company IMAX Corporation. IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems...
cinema and numerous restaurants to suit different budgets.
Buildings
- Telford Garden
- Kai Yip Estate
- Amoy Garden
- Mega Box
- Telford Garden
- Electrical and Mechanical Services Department Headquarters
- Hong Kong International Trade & Exhibition Centre
- Skyline Tower
- Richland Gardens
Future
There are plans to convert the bay (reclaiming part or even the entire bay) and the former airport site into an in-city new townNew towns of Hong Kong
The area of Hong Kong is very mountainous and many places in the New Territories have limited access to roads. Hong Kong started developing new towns in the 1950s, to accommodate booming populations. In the early days the term "satellite towns" was used. The very first new towns included Tsuen Wan...
which would house 240 to 340 thousand residents, a sport stadium, and a pier
Kai Tak Cruise Terminal
Kai Tak cruise terminal, is a cruise ship terminal currently under construction at the site of the former Kai Tak Airport. Its completion date has been delayed to 2013 due to re-tendering. Following an international competition, Foster + Partners was invited to design the cruise terminal...
for cruises. The reduction in demand for land and environmental issue led to a revision of the project.
Transport
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...
Kowloon Bay Station
Kowloon Bay (MTR)
Kowloon Bay is a station on the Hong Kong MTR Kwun Tong Line. The headquarters of the MTR Corporation Limited and the depot for the Kwun Tong Line are both located at this station. It is between Choi Hung station and Ngau Tau Kok station. The station was opened in 1979.Kowloon Bay is one of...
on the Kwun Tong Line which is beside Telford Plaza, along with many bus routes along Kwun Tong Road
Kwun Tong Road
Kwun Tong Road is a major road in Kwun Tong of New Kowloon in Hong Kong. It starts at the junction with Prince Edward Road East, Clear Water Bay Road and Lung Cheung Road in Ngau Chi Wan...
. Sections of Route 5
Route 5 (Hong Kong)
Route 5 is a route artery in Hong Kong from eastern to western Kowloon and New Kowloon, and ends in Tsuen Wan in the New Territories, linking Route 9....
and Route 7
Route 7 (Hong Kong)
Route 7 is a highway route running through New Kowloon in Hong Kong between Tseung Kwan O and Kwai Chung.The first sections of road were built as a 5 lane trunk road , it was expanded to the current 6 lane highway...
intersect in Kowloon Bay. Kai Tak Tunnel
Kai Tak Tunnel
Kai Tak Tunnel , formerly known as the Airport Tunnel is a tunnel in New Kowloon, Hong Kong, which connects the Kowloon Bay and To Kwa Wan areas by going beneath the former Hong Kong International Airport . It is part of Route 5...
, part of Route 5, has its eastern entrance located in Kowloon Bay.
Public Transport
Bus Routes- KMB : 1A、2A、3D、5D、6D、11B、11C、11D、13D、13X、14、14B、15、15A、16、17、24、28、38、40、42C、62X、70X、74A、74X、80、80X、83X、89、89B、89C、89D、89X、93K、98D、215X、219X、224M、258D、259D、268C、269C、277X、296C、296D、297、889
- NWFB ：796B、N796
- CitybusCitybus (Hong Kong)Citybus Limited is one of the three major bus operators in Hong Kong. It provides both franchised and non-franchised bus service. The franchised route network serves mainly Hong Kong Island, cross-harbour routes , Ocean Park, North Lantau and Hong Kong International Airport...
：A22、E22、E22A、E22P、R22、X22、N29
Pop culture
Referenced in the movie Wayne's WorldWayne's World (film)
Wayne's World is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Penelope Spheeris and starring Mike Myers in his film debut as Wayne Campbell and Dana Carvey as Garth Algar, hosts of the Aurora, Illinois-based Public-access television cable TV show Wayne's World...
as the birthplace of Wayne Campbell's girlfriend, Cassandra.
Michael Connelly's hero Detective Harry Bosch weaves around Kowloon in the novel Nine Dragons (2009).
Education
Schools and institutions are scarce in this district. The most famous ones include the SPACE of the University of Hong Kong, Town Center of City University of Hong KongCity University of Hong Kong
City University of Hong Kong is a comprehensive research university in Hong Kong. It was founded in 1984 as City Polytechnic of Hong Kong and became a fully accredited university in 1994. It has achieved fast growth in recent years and received international recognition for its academic achievements...
and YCH Law Chan Chor Si College.
See also
- Geography of Hong KongGeography of Hong KongThe geography of Hong Kong primarily consists of three main territories: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories.The name "Hong Kong", literally meaning "fragrant harbour", is derived from the area around present-day Aberdeen on Hong Kong Island, where fragrant wood products...
- List of areas of Hong Kong