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Central, Hong Kong

 
Wikipedia: Central, Hong Kong
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Central

Hong Kong Island Skyline 2009.jpg
Daytime view of Central as viewed from Tsim Sha Tsui on the opposite side of Victoria Harbour
Traditional Chinese 中環
Nighttime view of Central as viewed from Tsim Sha Tsui on the opposite side of Victoria Harbour
Skyscrapers in Central -- from the left to the right: the BOC Tower, Cheung Kong Center, HSBC Building and Jardine House

Central (also Central District; ), the central business district of Hong Kong, was commonly known as part of Victoria City. It is an area on the north shore of Hong Kong Island. It is located across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui, the southernmost point of Kowloon Peninsula. It is the central business district of Hong Kong, and many multinational financial services corporations have their headquarters in the area. Consulates general and consulates of many countries are also located in this area, as is Government Hill, the site of the government headquarters. The area, with its proximity to Victoria Harbour, has served as the centre of trade and financial activities from the earliest day of British colonial era in 1841, and continues to flourish and serve as the administrative centre after the transfer of sovereignty to China in 1997. The area was the heart of Victoria City, although that name is rarely used today.

In district council elections, the area belongs to Central and Western District, together with its western counterparts Sheung Wan, Mid-levels, Sai Wan, Sai Ying Pun, Shek Tong Tsui and Kennedy Town.

Contents

Naming

The area of Chong Wan (中環), officially named Central in English, was one of the districts (四環九約) in Victoria City. The English name Central became prevalent after the Island Line of the MTR metro system was built in early 1980s, and the connected stations of Pedder and Chater renamed as Central. On some older maps, it and the area to its west are named Kwan Tai Lo (羣帶路) below Victoria Peak. It formed a channel, Chung Mun (中門), with Tsim Sha Tsui, on the sea route along the coast of southern China. The eastern part of Central District has been known as Admiralty since the completion of Admiralty Station in the early 1980s.

History

1911 map of the Central waterfront (Connaught Road)

The British landed on Possession Point of Sheung Wan in 1841. They soon decided to build a city on the north coast of Hong Kong Island, and the present-day Central was chosen to house major military facilities and administrative centre. The area soon attracted both Westerners and Chinese to trade and live in the area, and a Canton Bazaar (precursor of Central Market) was built between Cochrane Street and Graham Street in 1842. The area was soon zoned for Westerners only, and the Chinese residents were resited to Sheung Wan. [It was zoned for "Western-style buildings," meaning buildings with minimum space and hygiene standards]. The area was largely dominated by the presence of Victoria City. The popularity of this area would also boost the population from 5,000 in 1841 to 24,000 in 1848.[1] Government House and other Hong Kong Government buildings were completed during this period on Government Hill. Various barracks, naval base and residence of Commander, Flagstaff House were built on the east end of the district. Between 1860 and 1880 the construction of City Hall, Theatre Royal and other financial structures made Central the heart of Hong Kong. In 1904 the Praya Reclamation Scheme added 59 acres (240,000 m2) of land to Central's waterfront. Much of the proposals came from Sir Paul Chater and James Johnstone Keswick.[2] During the 1920s, Hong Kong was able to push far ahead economically, because of the cohesive collaboration between Central and all waterfront commerce.

The military structures survived until the 1980s. Only Flagstaff House remains as Museum of Tea Ware in Hong Kong Park. City Hall sat on the present premises of the HSBC Hong Kong headquarters. Hong Kong's first road, Queen's Road, passes through the area and the business centre continued to expand toward the shoreline as far as the reclaimed lands.

Notable places, streets and buildings

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Many of Hong Kong's famous landmarks are located in Central
The night view of Connaught Road Central
AIG Tower
Two International Finance Centre
Entertainment Building
Pedder Street
Night shot of Central Pier.

Places and streets

Buildings

Hotels

Central, together with Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui East, is home to many hotels.

Schools

Places of worship

Transport

Public transport

The area is a major transport hub for Hong Kong (see also Transport in Hong Kong).

Expressways and routes

References

  1. ^ Sanderson, Edgar. [1897] (1897) The British Empire in the Nineteenth Century: Its Progress and Expansion at Home and Abroad. Blackie publishing. No ISBN digitalized doc from Stanford university
  2. ^ Wordie, Jason. [2002] (2002) Streets: Exploring Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press. ISBN 962-2095631

External links

Search Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Central, Hong Kong


Coordinates: 22°16′55″N 114°09′29″E / 22.28194°N 114.15806°E / 22.28194; 114.15806


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