Aberdeen Hong Kong

aberdeen hong kong The harbour of Aberdeen Hong Kong is a picturesque home to hundreds of Chinese living and working on their fishing junks. This traditional boat lifestyle is dramatically contrasted with the surrounding high-rise residential towers. Come here in the evenings to enjoy the thousands of lanterns and lights reflected on the water by the boats and the towers.

Aberdeen Jumbo Floating Restaurant

Get a closer look at the boat people of Aberdeen Hong Kong either from the magnificent floating restaurant anchored here or by renting one of the sampans waiting for tourists.

Looking like a floating palace of imperial China, the Aberdeen Jumbo Floating Restaurant is a popular attraction. Three storeys high and elaborately decorated with swirling red and gold dragons and other traditional Chinese motifs, it is postcard perfect.

aberdeen hong kong Not to be missed, of course, is the delicious fresh seafood and the excellent Cantonese fare on offer. This restaurant has attracted over 30 million visitors since opening in 1976. Some of the famous diners include Queen Elizabeth II, John Wayne, Tom Cruise, Chow Yun-fat and Gong Li. It has also been featured in many Hong Kong and Hollywood movies.

Getting to Aberdeen Hong Kong

Aberdeen is an area on the south shore of Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. It is part of the Southern District. Aberdeen Harbour is a harbour between Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau.

The name 'Aberdeen' usually covers the areas of Aberdeen, Wong Chuk Hang and Ap Lei Chau, but it is more often used to refer to the town only.

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aberdeen hong kong Aberdeen is served by Pok Fu Lam Road, Aberdeen Tunnel and Nam Fung Road through Wong Chuk Hang. Nam Fung Road connects Deep Water Bay Road, which also connects Wong Nai Chung Gap Road to Happy Valley. A bridge links Aberdeen with Ap Lei Chau over Aberdeen Harbour.

The proposed MTR South Island Line (West Section) will have stations in this area.
There are regular ferries to Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan on Lamma Island.
Transport to and from the boats in the harbour is usually provided by sampans. These can also be hired to Lamma Island.

The Story of Aberdeen

aberdeen hong kong It is believed that Aberdeen is where the name of Hong Kong originates. Starting during the Ming Dynasty, "Hong Kong" became the original name for the presently-named Aberdeen village.

In the early 19th century, foreigners who landed near Aberdeen Village mistook the name of the village "Hong Kong" for the whole island.

When the foreigners eventually realized their mistake, the name "Hong Kong" was already commonly used to refer to the entire island. Thus in 1845, Aberdeen was named after the British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen.

aberdeen hong kong Aberdeen is known indigenously as Heung Kong Tsai or Hong Kong Tsai, which means Hong Kong Minor. Heung Kong Tsuen on Ap Lei Chau was mentioned in Ming maps.

Another walled-village Heung Kong Wai in Wong Chuk Hang was also founded during Qianlong era of Qing. Heung Kong means 'fragrant harbour' and it was Aberdeen where incense trees from the New Territories used to be transferred for export to other cities in China. One alternative Chinese name was "Shek Pai Wan".

The Tanka people are generally associated with the fishing industry, and there are also several dozen expatriates living on boats in the harbour.
Another attraction of Aberdeen is the Hong Kong Ocean Park, one of Southeast Asia's largest oceanariums and theme parks.

Top of Aberdeen Hong Kong
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Photos: Flickr - rmx, ralphrepo, roger4336, hina, wirralwater.