Tsim Kong Tung Au

Nestled between two capes, Tsim Kong Tung Au whispers tales of fragrant trees and sharp sandspits. Tsim Kong Tung Au wasn’t always the bustling area you see today. Before the extensive land reclamation, it was a pair of capes embracing a tranquil bay. The western cape, known as Kowloon Point, cradled the hill where the Former Marine Police Headquarters now stands. The eastern cape boasted the prominent Blackhead Point. Imagine the bay stretching north, reaching towards what is now Mody Road. Tsim Kong Tung Au, meaning “sharp sandspit” in Cantonese, once served as a vital port known as Heung Po Tau, meaning “fragrant quay”. Here, incense trees from the New Territories were gathered before their journey to Shek Pai Wan for export. The area’s transformation began in 1860 when Kowloon was ceded to the British. Construction of Nathan Road commenced, forever altering the landscape of Tsim Kong Tung Au. The arrival of the Star Ferry in 1888 further solidified its prominence. Tsim Kong Tung Au flourished, evolving from a leafy suburb housing British garrison facilities to a vibrant hub. Whitfield Barracks, later transformed into Kowloon Park, and the Kowloon Naval Yard marked its western edge. The early 20th century saw an influx of Chinese residents, drawn by the burgeoning trade. Garden houses gave way to residential blocks, and wharves and godowns lined the western shore. The Kowloon-Canton Railway arrived in 1910, and the iconic Peninsula Hotel graced the reclaimed land in 1928. Tsim Kong Tung Au’s journey is one of transformation, from a quiet port for fragrant trees to a dynamic destination.