According to history, people settled here as little as 2000 years ago. In earlier days it was known as Tsin Wan, which means shallow bay, but was later changed. Due to the presence of pirates nearby, legend says they would charge 300 coins for boats to pass through the area.
Due to its proximity to Kowloon, Central HK, industrial areas were created in the 1950’s and is now a satellite town. It feels like a bustling city. It was further developed with reclaimed land areas. J and G are two train stops and a bus ride from here in a residential area.
The climate only moves one or two degrees from dawn to dusk. Our forecast is going to vary between 29 and 32 this week. One street over from here is a bustling food market with a huge smelly wet fish area, and many vegetable and butcher stalls right on the footpath. This is the main way of shopping and supermarkets are generally used for the basic essentials.
Later we walked to The Mills, a former textiles factory which now houses boutique coffee shops, pet stores selling bougie accessories, and independent designer style shops. Also an Eco store where J and G could refill their shampoos etc. We noticed a lot of NZ /Australian organic and handmade products, including Palmerston North.
In the afternoon we bused close to the Chinese border to walk the Ping Shan Heritage Trail which meanders through a small village area linking a number of traditional Chinese buildings and Temples, some up to 800 years old. The well that supplies the town is around 200 years old. Restoration is still taking place.
This pagoda is the only ancient pagoda found in HK, built more than 600 years ago. Situated at the mouth of a river, it was intended as a Feng shui structure designed to ward off evil spirits and prevent flooding.
Back at ‘home’ with views from their roof terrace toward China. The faint almost invisible skyscraper way in the distance amongst the clouds is the 5th tallest in the world.
We are so spoilt for space in NZ. The raised floors all contain storage areas. Very clever.
Yummy takeaways for dinner.
Such a lovely day. And great to see and hear about life in Hong Kong.
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