Ap Lei Chau

History

On a map dating from the Ming dynasty, the island is shown, together with a village with the name "Heung Kong Tsuen", the literal meaning of which in Chinese is "Fragrant Harbour Village" (香港村). This is probably the origin of the name "Hong Kong".

Before the First Opium War, Ap Lei Chau was essentially a fishing village. As a consequence of the Treaty of Nanking, it was in 1841 ceded to the British together with Hong Kong Island.

Since then, little attention had been paid to this small island, although Ap Lei Chau does shelter Aberdeen Harbour, creating an excellent natural typhoon shelter.

In 1968, Hongkong Electric opened a power station on Ap Lei Chau to provide electricity for the whole of Hong Kong Island. In 1980 and 1994, a bridge was constructed to connect the island to the Hong Kong Island, and this created momentum for rapid economic development. Public housing estates were built to accommodate people, including some who had suffered in a fire in the Aberdeen shelter.

In 1989, the generators of the power station were relocated to Lamma Island, and the old power station was demolished. The site was re-developed into the South Horizons residential area, with the addition of some land reclaimed from the sea.

Geography and demographics

Ap Lei Chau was named after the shape of the island, which resembles 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 point on the island is Yuk Kwai Shan (玉桂山; aka. Mount Johnston), with an altitude of 196 metres (643 ft).

It comprises four main residential estates — Lei Tung Estate, Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, Ap Lei Chau Estate, 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, and its area is 1.30 square kilometres (0.50 square miles), giving it a population density of 66,755 people / km², and making it the second most densely populated island in the world.

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

Places of interest

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 and is a declared monument.

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 and is a Grade III historic building. The temple site is adjacent 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 has now been demolished, the dragons are still present and 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

Ap Lei Chau and Hong Kong Island are connected by the four lane Ap Lei Chau road bridge. Opened in 1983, it originally only had 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:

Minibuses and taxis are 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 opened on December 28, 2016 and it links the Admiralty of Hong Kong Island to Ap Lei Chau by Aberdeen Channel Bridge. There are two stations on the island: Lei Tung (for Lei Tung Estate and Ap Lei Chau Main street) and South Horizons (for South Horizons, Ap Lei Chau Estate and Ap Lei Chau Industrial Estate) serving the development of the same name.