Thirty-five Hong Kong dollars. That’s the price of a journey. A journey from Tseung Kwan O to Liantang Port in Shenzhen. A journey I’m about to take you on. Not literally of course. We are standing right here on Tseung Kwan O Central Avenue. But in our minds we’ll travel. We will journey through time.
Tseung Kwan O Central Avenue itself is a relatively new addition to the landscape. This bustling avenue is part of a larger story. A story of transformation. A story of Tseung Kwan O. Tseung Kwan O wasn’t always a vibrant new town. Once upon a time it was Junk Bay. A narrow inlet dotted with small fishing villages. Imagine the quiet lapping of waves against the shore. The gentle rocking of fishing boats. This was a place of tranquil beauty. This was before the reclamation projects.
The 1980s marked a turning point. The Hong Kong government saw potential. They envisioned a new town. A modern urban center. Massive reclamation projects reshaped the coastline. The quiet fishing villages were transformed. The tranquil bay gave way to towering skyscrapers. The transformation wasn’t without its challenges. The displacement of residents from existing villages. The clearing of the Kuomintang refugee village at Rennie’s Mill. A poignant reminder of the human cost of progress.
Tseung Kwan O grew rapidly. It became a hub of activity. Residential estates sprang up around MTR stations. Shopping malls like Park Central and Metro City Plaza became centers of community life. The industrial estate blossomed. Home to major television broadcasters and data centers. Tseung Kwan O became a densely populated residential and industrial area. Millions of commuters pass every day.
The Tseung Kwan O Central Avenue you see today is a reflection of this growth. This planned avenue is a testament to ambitious planning. A transit-oriented design. It facilitates easy access to various parts of the new town.
But even amidst the modern buildings and busy streets. Traces of the past remain. The names of neighborhoods like Hang Hau. A name whispering of a small market town. A place that once served the entire Clear Water Bay Peninsula. A place where ship breaking industries once thrived.
Look around you. Take in the sight of Tseung Kwan O Central Avenue. A vibrant thoroughfare that pulsates with the energy of modern Hong Kong. It’s a testament to a city’s ability to transform. It is a place where history and modernity coexist. It’s a journey worth experiencing. A journey we’ve just begun.