Location Hong Kong | Major cities Hong Kong | |
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Canal Road East (Chinese: 堅拿道東), Canal Road West (Chinese: 堅拿道西) and the Canal Road Flyover (Chinese: 堅拿道天橋) are important roads in the Wan Chai District of Hong Kong Island, between the areas of Causeway Bay and Wan Chai.
Contents
Map of Canal Rd E, Bowrington, Hong Kong
History
Before urban development, the area was the estuary of the Wong Nai Chung river, which flowed through Happy Valley. The 4th Governor of Hong Kong, John Bowring, developed the estuary area and named it Bowrington (or Bowring City). Bowrington Canal was built during the mid to late 1850s, fed by Wong Nai Chung. Because the long and narrow canal resembled the neck of a goose it was known as Ngo Keng Kan (鵝頸澗, lit. goose neck stream). It was used by small vessels that could pass under various bridges along the route. The landmark Bowrington Bridge across the canal, built in 1861, was known as Ngo Keng Kiu (鵝頸橋, lit. goose neck bridge) and carried the Hong Kong Tramways line across the waterway. The surrounding area is also known as Ngo Keng.
The canal was finally covered and made subterranean and the bridge removed during the reclamation from 1922 to 1929 that created modern Wan Chai (the Praya East Reclamation Scheme). However the name survives for the area.
Canal Road Flyover
Canal Road Flyover (traditional Chinese: 堅拿道天橋; simplified Chinese: 坚拿道天桥; pinyin: Jiānnádào Tiānqiáo; Cantonese Yale: Gīnnàhdouh Tīnkìuh) was built in the 1970s for the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, between Canal Road East and Canal Road West. Many who do not know the history of Canal Road might associate the flyover with Ngo Keng Kiu. It initially connected only Canal Road West to the north of Gloucester Road when it opened on 29 March 1972. Four years later, the flyover was expanded and extended south to the Aberdeen Tunnel entrance in Happy Valley. The flyover was expanded again and an exit connected to Canal Road East.
The flyover currently connects Aberdeen Tunnel to the Cross Harbour Tunnel. It is a very important thoroughfare to conveniently reach Southern District and Happy Valley. From the Wan Chai interchange, it passes (in order): Gloucester Road, Jaffe Road, Lockhart Road, Hennessy Road, Times Square, Leighton Road, Queen's Road East, the Racing Museum and Wong Nai Chung Road.
Villain hitting
The area under the Canal Road Flyover, adjacent to Hennessy Road, is known for the old ladies who offer villain hitting services, in which personal enemies are cursed by beating pieces of paper representing them. The practice is especially popular during Jingzhe (typically in March).