Victoria Park, Hong Kong
Encyclopedia
Victoria Park is a public park in Hong Kong
, named after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom
. It is located in Causeway Bay
, on the north of Hong Kong Island
, between Causeway Bay
and Tin Hau
MTR
stations. It is part of Eastern District
, along the border with Wan Chai District
, bordered by Victoria Park Road
and then Victoria Harbour
to the north and Causeway Road
and Hong Kong Central Library
to the south. The park underwent a major revamp in the early 2000s.
known as Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter
, part of Victoria Harbour, used as a refuge by fishing boats and yachts during typhoon seasons. In the 1950s, the shelter was reclaimed
and the park was built there. The typhoon shelter was then relocated to the north.
The park has long been a gathering place for domestic workers
on Sundays, their usual day off. Since the early 2000s, helpers from Indonesia
have come to predominate, in and around the western end of the Park, as their numbers in Hong Kong have increased relative to those from the Philippines. The parallel tradition for Filipina domestic workers is to congregate around Statue Square
in Central
.
of Queen Victoria, seated, at the main entrance of the park on Causeway Road. This statue was cast in Pimlico
, London
and was originally located in Statue Square
. During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong
, it was taken to Japan to be melted down, along with other statues from the square. After the war the statues were brought back to Hong Kong, and in 1952 Queen Victoria's statue was restored and placed in Victoria Park.
The park includes tennis courts, a swimming pool, a skating rink, a bowling green and other sports facilities, as well as the central lawn
and children's areas. The tennis
centre court, enclosed with spectator seating for 3,607, is often used to host international tennis tournament
s, such as the Hong Kong Open
and Hong Kong Tennis Classic
. There are several pools of water located in the garden area that are used for operating remote-controlled boats.
, the park is home to the Lunar New Year Fair
(年宵市場), which attracts large crowds late into the night. Other large events in the park include the Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo
and the Hong Kong Flower Show
.
Sponsored and broadcast to the public by Radio Television Hong Kong
, the City Forum 城市論壇 is usually held in the park every Sunday. It brings together politicians, academics and prominent public figures to discuss current public issues.
The forum attracts tens of pro-Beijing men yelling expletives outside the venue, especially when there are pro-Democratic politician
s participating. Such men are popularly known as the "uncles of Victoria Park
" (維園阿伯）.
In 2010, due to the negative public sentiment aroused by the legislative reforms and from the lack of progress in universal suffrage in Hong Kong, there has been increased interest in the discussion of public issues. This resulted in heightened interest in the City Forum. There is an emergence of a new class of participants who is passionate about the current affairs, and predominantly male in the age category around 20s-30s, called "Brothers of Victoria Park" (維園阿哥). Even though the title is very similar, their political agenda is at the opposite of the spectrum.
exhibition, which was displayed under the patronage of Jackie Chan
in summer of 2004 on the historic lawn of Victoria Park, was the largest open air art show ever held in Hong Kong. About 2.0 million people saw the international exhibition in Victoria Park. The United Buddy Bears exhibition is probably the biggest of its kind, created by renowned artists from all over the world. Meanwhile, 140 member states of the United Nations
are represented in this exhibition that has been shown in 20 metropolises on all 5 continents so far.
district. Visitors can arrive by MTR, getting off at either Causeway Bay MTR station
or Tin Hau station
. Dozens of bus routes and the trams
also provide convenient access.
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...
, named after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It is located in Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay is a heavily built-up area of Hong Kong, People's Republic of China, located on the Hong Kong Island, and covering parts of Wan Chai and Eastern districts. The Chinese name is also romanized as Tung Lo Wan as in Tung Lo Wan Road...
, on the 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...
, between Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay (MTR)
Causeway Bay is a station on MTR's Island line on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.It serves Causeway Bay and its vicinity.-Station layout:...
and Tin Hau
Tin Hau (MTR)
Tin Hau is a station on the Island Line of the Hong Kong MTR rapid transit system.-Location:Like all other Island Line stations, Tin Hau is located along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island...
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...
stations. It is part of Eastern District
Eastern District, Hong Kong
The Eastern District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It had a population of 587,690 in 2006. The district has the second highest population while its residents have the third highest median household income among 18 districts....
, along the border with Wan Chai District
Wan Chai District
The Wan Chai District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong, located in the north of Hong Kong island. It had a population of 167,146 in 2001. The district has the second most educated residents with the highest income, the second lowest population and the third oldest residents, and is also the...
, bordered by Victoria Park Road
Victoria Park Road
Victoria Park Road is a road in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong that is part of Route 4. It starts in the junction of Route 1 and ends in Hing Fat Street. The road has its name because it is situated on the northern side of Victoria Park....
and then 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...
to the north and Causeway Road
Causeway Road
Causeway Road is a main road in Hong Kong. Situated in Causeway Bay, it joins Yee Wo Street in the west and King's Road. It is a boundary of Eastern District and Wan Chai District...
and Hong Kong Central Library
Hong Kong Central Library
Hong Kong Central Library is the main library of Hong Kong. It is located at the intersection of Moreton Terrace and Causeway Road in Causeway Bay....
to the south. The park underwent a major revamp in the early 2000s.
History
The park was formerly a typhoon shelterTyphoon 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...
known as Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter
Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter
Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter is a typhoon shelter located in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, between the Hong Kong Island entrance of Cross Harbour Tunnel on Kellett Island and Island Eastern Corridor. Its size is about 14 hectares...
, part of Victoria Harbour, used as a refuge by fishing boats and yachts during typhoon seasons. In the 1950s, the shelter was reclaimed
Land 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...
and the park was built there. The typhoon shelter was then relocated to the north.
The park has long been a gathering place for domestic workers
Foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong
Foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong are foreign domestic workers and housemaids employed by Hongkongers, typically families. They make up approximately 3% of the population of Hong Kong and an overwhelming majority of them are women...
on Sundays, their usual day off. Since the early 2000s, helpers from Indonesia
Indonesians
Indonesians may be:*any nation or ethnic group of Indonesia**see Demographics of Indonesia**see Overseas Indonesians**see Ethnic groups in Indonesia**see Native Indonesians...
have come to predominate, in and around the western end of the Park, as their numbers in Hong Kong have increased relative to those from the Philippines. The parallel tradition for Filipina domestic workers is to congregate around Statue Square
Statue Square
Statue Square is a public pedestrian square in Central, Hong Kong.-History:The square was built at the end of the 19th century. The idea of a square of statues dedicated to royalty was conceived by Sir Catchick Paul Chater. It derives its name from the fact that it originally contained the statue...
in Central
Central, Hong Kong
Central is the central business district of Hong Kong. It is located in Central and Western District, on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui, the southernmost point of Kowloon Peninsula...
.
Features
There is a statueStatue
A statue is a sculpture in the round representing a person or persons, an animal, an idea or an event, normally full-length, as opposed to a bust, and at least close to life-size, or larger...
of Queen Victoria, seated, at the main entrance of the park on Causeway Road. This statue was cast in Pimlico
Pimlico
Pimlico is a small area of central London in the City of Westminster. Like Belgravia, to which it was built as a southern extension, Pimlico is known for its grand garden squares and impressive Regency architecture....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and was originally located in Statue Square
Statue Square
Statue Square is a public pedestrian square in Central, Hong Kong.-History:The square was built at the end of the 19th century. The idea of a square of statues dedicated to royalty was conceived by Sir Catchick Paul Chater. It derives its name from the fact that it originally contained the statue...
. During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong
Japanese occupation of Hong Kong
The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong began after the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Young, surrendered the territory of Hong Kong to Japan on 25 December 1941 after 18 days of fierce fighting by British and Canadian defenders against overwhelming Japanese Imperial forces. The occupation lasted...
, it was taken to Japan to be melted down, along with other statues from the square. After the war the statues were brought back to Hong Kong, and in 1952 Queen Victoria's statue was restored and placed in Victoria Park.
The park includes tennis courts, a swimming pool, a skating rink, a bowling green and other sports facilities, as well as the central lawn
Lawn
A lawn is an area of aesthetic and recreational land planted with grasses or other durable plants, which usually are maintained at a low and consistent height. Low ornamental meadows in natural landscaping styles are a contemporary option of a lawn...
and children's areas. The tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
centre court, enclosed with spectator seating for 3,607, is often used to host international tennis tournament
Tournament
A tournament is a competition involving a relatively large number of competitors, all participating in a sport or game. More specifically, the term may be used in either of two overlapping senses:...
s, such as the Hong Kong Open
Hong Kong Open
Events called the Hong Kong Open include:*Hong Kong Open , a badminton tournament held in Hong Kong since 1982*Hong Kong Open , a golf tournament which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the European Tour...
and Hong Kong Tennis Classic
Hong Kong Tennis Classic
The Hong Kong Tennis Classic is a women's exhibition tennis tournament held in Victoria Park, Hong Kong, in the first week of January...
. There are several pools of water located in the garden area that are used for operating remote-controlled boats.
Lunar New Year Fair
Every year, in the days preceding Chinese New YearChinese New Year
Chinese New Year – often called Chinese Lunar New Year although it actually is lunisolar – is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is an all East and South-East-Asia celebration...
, the park is home to the Lunar New Year Fair
Lunar New Year Fair
Lunar New Year Fair is a type of fair held annually a few days before Lunar New Year in markets, China.- Hong Kong :...
(年宵市場), which attracts large crowds late into the night. Other large events in the park include the Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo
Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo
Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo is a large expo of local products held yearly in Hong Kong, at Victoria Park. It is organized by The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong.The expo has been held 43 times...
and the Hong Kong Flower Show
Hong Kong Flower Show
Hong Kong Flower Show is an annual exhibition presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong. It is held every March in Hong Kong....
.
Political gatherings
Since 1990, a vigil attracting tens of thousands of people is held every year on June 4 to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Square Crackdown. The park is also often used as a gathering point for demonstrations, such as the July 1st marches and 124 March.City Forum
Radio Television Hong Kong
Radio Television Hong Kong is a public broadcasting organisation in Hong Kong that is operated as an independent department in the government under the Broadcasting Authority. RTHK operates seven radio channels, and produces television programmes that are then broadcast through local television...
, the City Forum 城市論壇 is usually held in the park every Sunday. It brings together politicians, academics and prominent public figures to discuss current public issues.
The forum attracts tens of pro-Beijing men yelling expletives outside the venue, especially when there are pro-Democratic politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
s participating. Such men are popularly known as the "uncles of Victoria Park
Uncles of Victoria Park
Uncles of Victoria Park is a colloquial term referring to a special group of people in Hong Kong. These people are usually retired pro-Beijing aged men, also known as indigenous communists. They gather in Victoria Park on Sundays at noon, when City Forum - a public forum which is sponsored and...
" (維園阿伯）.
In 2010, due to the negative public sentiment aroused by the legislative reforms and from the lack of progress in universal suffrage in Hong Kong, there has been increased interest in the discussion of public issues. This resulted in heightened interest in the City Forum. There is an emergence of a new class of participants who is passionate about the current affairs, and predominantly male in the age category around 20s-30s, called "Brothers of Victoria Park" (維園阿哥). Even though the title is very similar, their political agenda is at the opposite of the spectrum.
Art and Culture
The United Buddy BearsUnited Buddy Bears
Buddy Bears are a series of painted, life-size fibreglass bear sculptures originally developed in Berlin, Germany. The first Buddy Bear was created by the German businesspeople Klaus and Eva Herlitz, in cooperation with the sculptor Roman Strobl in 2001....
exhibition, which was displayed under the patronage of Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
in summer of 2004 on the historic lawn of Victoria Park, was the largest open air art show ever held in Hong Kong. About 2.0 million people saw the international exhibition in Victoria Park. The United Buddy Bears exhibition is probably the biggest of its kind, created by renowned artists from all over the world. Meanwhile, 140 member states of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
are represented in this exhibition that has been shown in 20 metropolises on all 5 continents so far.
Transport
Transport to the park is very convenient as it is just next to the busy Causeway BayCauseway Bay
Causeway Bay is a heavily built-up area of Hong Kong, People's Republic of China, located on the Hong Kong Island, and covering parts of Wan Chai and Eastern districts. The Chinese name is also romanized as Tung Lo Wan as in Tung Lo Wan Road...
district. Visitors can arrive by MTR, getting off at either Causeway Bay MTR station
Causeway Bay (MTR)
Causeway Bay is a station on MTR's Island line on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.It serves Causeway Bay and its vicinity.-Station layout:...
or Tin Hau station
Tin Hau (MTR)
Tin Hau is a station on the Island Line of the Hong Kong MTR rapid transit system.-Location:Like all other Island Line stations, Tin Hau is located along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island...
. Dozens of bus routes and the trams
Hong Kong Tramways
Hong Kong Tramways is a tram system in Hong Kong and one of the earliest forms of public transport in Hong Kong. Owned and operated by Veolia Transport, the tramway runs on Hong Kong Island between Shau Kei Wan and Kennedy Town, with a branch circulating Happy Valley...
also provide convenient access.