Location of Ap Lei Chau within Hong Kong

Ap Lei Chau viewed from Hong Kong Trail Stage 2, in the southwest of Hong Kong Island, across Aberdeen Harbour.

Ap Lei Chau (Chinese: 鴨脷洲; Cantonese Yale: aap3 lei6 jau1), 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.^[1] Administratively, it is part of Southern District. Ap Lei Chau is the third most densely populated island in the world.

Ap Lei Chau Bridge Road on Ap Lei Chau.

History[link]

A map dating from the Ming Dynasty shows the island. On this map is marked the village of Heung Kong Tsuen, lit. Hong Kong Village (香港村). It is probably where the name of Hong Kong originates from.

Ap Lei Chau shelters Aberdeen Harbour, creating an excellent typhoon shelter, and was a fishing village before the First Opium War. As a consequence of the Treaty of Nanking, it was ceded to the British together with Hong Kong Island in 1841. Since then, little attention had been placed on this small island.

In 1968, Hongkong Electric opened a power station on the island to provide electricity for the whole of Hong Kong Island. In 1980, a bridge was constructed to connect the island to the Hong Kong Island and brought momentum for rapid economic development. Public housing estates were built to accommodate people who suffered in a fire in the Aberdeen shelter.

In 1989, the power station was relocated to Lamma Island. The old power station was then demolished and the site was re-developed into the South Horizons residential area with the aid of land reclamation.

Geography and demographics[link]

Mount Johnston on Ap Lei Chau, viewed from Ocean Park.

Ap Lei Chau was named after the shape of the island, which looks like the tongue of a duck. Ap means duck, Lei means tongue, and Chau means island. The northern part has the highest population, while the southern part of the island is less densely populated.

The highest hill on the island is Yuk Kwai Shan (玉桂山; aka. Mount Johnston), with an altitude of 196 m.

It comprises four main residential estates — Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau Main Street, Ap Lei Chau Estate and South Horizons, each of which comprises several highrise towers. There is an industrial estate on the southern tip of the island.

The population of Ap Lei Chau is 86,782 as of 2007,^[2] and its area is 1.30 km², giving it a population density of 66,755 people / km², making it the third most densely populated island in the world.^[3]

Ap Lei Chau also lends its name to the Ap Lei Chau geologic formation, which covers most of southern Hong Kong Island.^[4]

Places of interest[link]

Shui Yuet Temple on Ap Lei Chau.

The Hung Shing Temple located on Hung Shing Street, off Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, is a notable site. Dating back to 1773, it is the oldest temple in the Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau areas.^[5] It is a Grade I historic building. The Shui Yuet Temple aka. Kwun Yum Temple is located at No. 181 Main Street, Ap Lei Chau. Dedicated to Guan Yin, it was built at the end of the 19th century.^[6] It is a Grade III historic building.

The site of the temple is nearly opposite the site of the former Aberdeen police station. Clearly chosen for its feng shui, the superior dragons were seen as being protection from the 'threat of the tiger's jaw' from the police station. Although the police station is now gone, the dragons are still seen as enduring feng shui guards.

The island is known for being the location of 8th Estate Winery, the first winery in Hong Kong.

Transportation[link]

Ap Lei Chau Bridge.

Night view of Ap Lei Chau.

The road connection between Ap Lei Chau and Hong Kong Island is by Ap Lei Chau Bridge with four lanes. It opened in 1983 with only two lanes and was widened to four in 1994.

Buses are the main form of transport for the residents in Ap Lei Chau. There are five bus termini in total on the island:

• Ap Lei Chau Estate
• Ap Lei Chau Industrial Estate
• Ap Lei Chau Main Street
• Lei Tung Estate
• South Horizons

Minibuses and taxis are also available. There is a regular sanpan service running between Ap Lei Chau Main Street and Aberdeen. (Service hours: 6am-12am)

The MTR South Island Line is under construction linking the North of Hong Kong Island to Ap Lei Chau. There will be two stations on the island, one "Lei Tung" for Lei Tung Estate and one "South Horizons" serving Marina Square, a mini mall with a food market, and South Horizons, a private estates covering the western edge of the island. The line is expected to be completed in 2015.

See also[link]

• Shek Pai Wan
• Ap Lei Pai
• List of buildings, sites and areas in Hong Kong

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ap Lei Chau

• History and Memories of Ap Lei Chau

v t e Major islands of Hong Kong By size Lantau Island Hong Kong Island Lamma Island Chek Lap Kok Tsing Yi Kau Sai Chau Po Toi Islands Po Toi Waglan Cheung Chau Tung Lung Chau Crooked Island Double Island Hei Ling Chau Grass Island Ap Lei Chau Soko Islands Tai A Chau Siu A Chau Ping Chau Peng Chau Ma Wan Ninepin Group The Brothers Green Island Kowloon Rock Former islands Kellett Island Stonecutters Island Hoi Sham Island Channel Rock Tsing Chau Mong Chau Chau Tsai Nga Ying Chau Lam Chau Rumsey Rock High Island Yuen Chau Tsai

Coordinates: 22°14′30″N 114°9′20″E / 22.24167°N 114.15556°E / 22.24167; 114.15556

Statue and altar of Hung Shing in the Hung Shing Temple of Hang Mei Tsuen, Ping Shan, Hong Kong.

Hung Shing (洪聖), also known as Hung Shing Ye (洪聖爺) and Tai Wong (大王), was a government official in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907)^[1][2] named Hung Hei (洪熙) serving Pun Yue in present-day Guangdong, China.^[3]

His festival (洪聖誕) is held on the 13th day of the 2nd month in Chinese calendar.^[1][3]

Life[link]

Hung Hei was a righteous government official who won approbation from the people. During his tenure in office, he promoted the study and application of astronomy, geography and mathematics,^[2] and established an observatory to observe the meteorological changes,^[1] thus contributing to the well being of people under his governance, especially fishermen and sea traders. Unfortunately, he died young.^[1]

Memory[link]

After his death, an Emperor of the Tang Dynasty disseminated his virtues to the whole country and bestowed upon him the posthumous title of Nam Hoi Kwong Li Hung Shing Tai Wong (南海廣利洪聖大王),^[1] lit. the Saint King Hung the Widely Beneficial of South Sea. It is usually shortened to Hung Shing or Tai Wong.

Legend has it that Hung Shing continued to guard the people against natural disasters on numerous occasions after his death,^[1] and showed his presence to save many people during tempests.^[4] The government^[1] as well as fishermen in the surrounding area built many temples to worship him as the God of Southern Sea.^[1] Hung Shing temples have been widely built in southern China, especially Guangdong province^[2] and in Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, they are named Hung Shing Miu (洪聖廟) or Tai Wong Miu (大王廟).

See also[link]

• Hung Shing Temple for a list of temples
• Tin Hau
• Tam Kung

References[link]