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- Not to be confused with Changzhou Island, an island in Guangzhou, China.
Cheung Chau (Chinese: 長洲, Pinyin: Chángzhōu; lit. "Long Island") is a small island 10 km southwest of Hong Kong Island. It has been inhabited for longer than most other places in the territory of Hong Kong, with a population of about 30,000 up to 2006. Administratively, it is part of the Islands District.
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Geography
Geographically the island is formed from two mostly granite lumps joined by what was presumably once a tombolo, a kind of sandbar. With an area of 2.45 km², the island is therefore "long", hence the name as translated from Cantonese is Long Island. Thus, it is redundant to say "Cheung Chau Island". The island is dumbbell-shaped, with hills at the northern and southern ends and the settlements concentrated in between.
Economy
The central part of the island is well developed with shops and houses. The laneways are so narrow that normal motor traffic is impossible. Instead, there are small motorized trucks officially termed "Village vehicles". For example, there are small specially designed mini-fire engines, ambulances and police cars. Residential areas also exist on the hills of the north and south.
Traditionally the island was a fishing village and there are still fishing fleets working from the harbour. However in recent years the island has become a major tourist attraction, offering a mixture of sandy swimming beaches, seafood cafes, and traditional Chinese culture.
History
During 1898 Second Convention of Peking, the New Territories and 200 smaller islands including Cheung Chau were leased to the United Kingdom for 99 years. At that time, Cheung Chau was mainly a fishing village; it has more residents living in junks than on land. Eventually Cheung Chau was settled by people from other places in Southern China; for example, Hoklos, they are mainly fishermen; Hakka people; Chiu Chau; and Cantonese. Even though it is a fishing village, the island slowly evolved into a business districts. The merchants were doing business by selling supplies to the local fishermen; repair their boats and fishing gears, they were also doing business with other fishermen of nearby islands like Lantau Island.
After 2000, a number of cases of suicide (most of them by "burning charcoal") have taken place inside holiday houses on the island. As a consequence, for some time holiday resorts were not rented to individuals. Stories concerning apparitions have resulted from the news of suicides. In 2005 a local councillor Lam Kit-sing proposed a theme-park to be built in order to capitalise on the macabre reputation. Plans were subsequently rejected.
Education
There are four primary schools and two secondary schools in Cheung Chau, including C.C.C. Cheung Chau Church Kam Kong Primary School, Cheung Chau Fisheries Joint Association Public School, Cheung Chau Sacred Heart School, Kwok Man School, Buddhist Wai Yan Memorial College and Cheung Chau Government Secondary School.
Sights
Temples
- Pak Tai Temple - one of the oldest temples in Hong Kong. The temple was built in 1783 and completely repainted in 1989. In front of the temple, there are 4 pairs of guarding lions. Before the altar are statues of two generals, Thousand Miles Eye and Favourable Wind Ear, who together are traditionally said to be able to hear and see anything
- Four temples dedicated to Tin Hau, including the Pak She Tin Hau Temple
- Kwan Kung Chung Yi Ting, a traditional temple built in 1973, dedicated to the god of justice Kwan Tai
Others
- Alleged hiding place of Cheung Po Tsai (張保仔), a famous 19th century pirate
- Rock carvings located near Tung Wan Beach are declared monuments of Hong Kong
- Tung Wan and Kwun Yam Wan beaches
Bun Festival
The yearly Cheung Chau Bun Festival is a festival which includes a parade of floats, most famously including young children dressed as famous characters doing impossible balancing acts. It last seven days and attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the island.
Notable people
- Lee Lai Shan, a windsurfer who won the first Olympic gold for Hong Kong in 1996
Transportation
First Ferry operates ferries service between Central pier and Cheung Chau. The ferries run approximately every 30 minutes depending upon time of day. Schedules on Sundays and public holidays differ from weekdays. The trip of about 16 miles takes 55 minutes or 35 minutes for ordinary ferries and high speed ferries respectively.
See also
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Cheung Chau |
- 長洲HK CheungChauHK Website on Cheung Chau, includes forum and photo gallery.
- Cheung Chau at discoverhongkong.com
- Cheung Chau Rural Committee Cheung Chau Rural Committee
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Coordinates: 22°12′38″N 114°1′44″E / 22.21056°N 114.02889°E
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