Did you know Kwun Tong Au is more than just a geographical feature? It is a saddle that connects hills. Kwun Tong is one of Hong Kong’s 18 districts. It sits in Kowloon. It is the easternmost and southernmost district there.
Let me paint a picture of Kwun Tong District. In 2023 it had a population of 666500. It is second only to Sha Tin District. But the income here is below average. Kwun Tong borders Sai Kung District to the east. Wong Tai Sin District is to the north. Kowloon City District lies to the west. Victoria Harbour is to the south.
Kwun Tong is the most densely populated district in Hong Kong. It has 60000 people per square kilometer. It is also one of Hong Kong’s largest industrial areas. Factories rose here in the 1950s. They were mainly in Kowloon Bay, Kwun Tong, and Yau Tong.
Manufacturing has moved. Kwun Tong district now sees more commercial buildings. APM Millennium City 5 is one example. Kwun Tong is easy to reach. Six stations on the Kwun Tong line serve it. These are Yau Tong, Lam Tin, Kwun Tong, Ngau Tau Kok and Kowloon Bay.
Sadly pollution, poverty, and an aging population are concerns. Statistics show 28.8% of district residents were poor in 2020. The elderly made up 23.4% of the population in 2022. 191500 poor people live here. This is the highest number in Hong Kong.
Kwun Tong includes several key areas. There is Kwun Tong itself. Then you have Ngau Tau Kok. Kowloon Bay is another. Sau Mau Ping is part of it too. Lam Tin is included as well. Finally there is Yau Tong and Lei Yue Mun.
Kwun Tong District was once a major industrial hub. Factories have stood here since the 1950s. These industrial areas spread across Kowloon Bay and Yau Tong. The area south of Kwun Tong Road was the largest industrial area. This was from the 1970s to mid 1980s. It accounted for a third of industrial jobs then. Textile, food, and electronics industries thrived here.
Since 1978 China’s economic reforms changed things. Many factories moved to the mainland. Manufacturing in Hong Kong declined. In 2001 industrial districts were rezoned for business. Many industrial buildings were repurposed. They became commercial buildings or malls like APM. Old buildings became spaces for small businesses, artists, and musicians.
Opened in 2005 APM Millennium City 5 is a commercial property. It sits next to Kwun Tong station. It features a shopping arcade with restaurants and stores. There is also a bus terminus. The mall stays open late. Some shops close at midnight. Restaurants close at 2 am. Some stores are open 24 hours.
The residential areas are in Ngau Tau Kok and upper Kwun Tong Central. You will also find them in Sau Mau Ping and Lam Tin. In 2005 about 61% of residents lived in public housing. Another 16% lived in Home Ownership Scheme estates. Only 23% lived in private housing.
Redevelopment schemes have changed housing. Older estates have been replaced. Most residents have moved to better flats. The Kwun Tong Town Center renewal project has improved living conditions. But it has also sparked dissatisfaction. Some feel redevelopment broke social connections.
Medical services face high demand. The United Christian Hospital provides accident and emergency services. The Department of Health offers various services. These include elderly health and women’s health centers.
Kwun Tong offers much to explore. It blends industrial history with modern development. As we conclude our visit to Kwun Tong Au remember that this area is a place where old meets new. It is a testament to Hong Kong’s dynamic spirit. It is a district constantly evolving.