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{{short description|Island in New Territories, Hong Kong}}
'''Cheung Chau''' (長洲) is a small ] south of ], it is inhabited and has been inhabited for longer than anywhere else in the territory of ]. Administratively, it is part of the ].
{{distinguish|text=], an island in Guangzhou, ]}}
{{Use Hong Kong English|date=September 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox Islands
|name = Cheung Chau
|image_name = Blick über Cheung Chau.JPG
|image_caption = Cheung Chau (2013)
|image_size = 250px
|map_image = Cheungchau_island.png
|map_size = 250px
|location = Southwest of ]
|coordinates = {{Coord|22.210556|114.028889|display=inline,title|format=dms|type:isle}}
|area_km2= 2.46
|highest_mount =
|elevation_m=95
|country = ]
|country_admin_divisions_title = District
|country_admin_divisions = ]
|population = 19,769 (2021)
|density_km2 = 9882.93
|ethnic_groups = Chinese (92.7%)
Indonesian (2.0%)
White (1.5%)
}}{{Infobox Chinese
|order=
|showflag=
|t=長洲
|s=长洲
|j=Coeng<sup>4</sup> zau<sup>1</sup>
|y=Chèuhng jāu
|p=Chángzhōu
}}
]

'''Cheung Chau''' ({{Zh|t=長洲}}; {{Literally|Long Island}}) is an ] of ], located {{convert|10|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of ]. It is also called '''Dumbbell Island''' ({{Zh|t=啞鈴島}}) due to its ]-like shape. It has been inhabited for longer than most other places in Hong Kong, and had a population of 22,740 {{As of|2011|lc=y}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title = 普查結果 {{!}} 2011年香港人口普查|url = http://www.census2011.gov.hk/tc/constituency-area-i.html|website = www.census2011.gov.hk|access-date = 2016-01-13}}</ref> Administratively, it is part of the ].
{{TOC limit|2}}


==Geography== ==Geography==
Geographically the island is formed from two mostly ] masses joined by a ]. With an area of {{convert|2.45|km2|sqmi|2|abbr=off}},<ref>Survey and Mapping Office, Lands Department: </ref> the island is therefore "long", hence the name as translated from ] is "Long Island". Thus, it is redundant to say "Cheung Chau Island". The island is dumbbell-shaped, with hills at the northern and southern ends and the settlements concentrated in between.

Geographically the island is formed from two mostly ] lumps joined by what was presumably once a sandbar. The island is therefore "long"; hence the name which translated from ] as ''Long Island''. So, it is redudant to say "Cheung Chau Island".


==Economy== ==Economy==
The central part of the island is well-developed with shops and houses. The lane-ways are so narrow that normal motor traffic is impossible. Instead, there are small motorised trucks officially termed "]s", which include specially designed mini-], ] and ]s.


The central part of the island is well developed with shops and houses. Residential areas also exist on the hills of the north and south. Residential areas also exist on the hills of the north and south.


Traditionally the island was a fishing village and there is still a fishing fleet working from the harbour. However in recent years the island has become a residential suburb of Hong Kong Island. The island was traditionally a ] and still has ] working from the harbour. However, in recent years, the island has become a major ], offering a mixture of sandy swimming beaches, seafood cafés, and traditional Chinese culture.

==History==
In 1898, Cheung Chau was leased to the ] for 99 years (till 1997) under the ], alongside some 200 other ] and the ]. The island thus became part of ].

At that time, the island was mainly a ] and had more residents living on ] than on land. Cheung Chau had already been settled by people from other places in ]; for example, ], they are mainly fishing people; ]; ]; and ]. The island slowly evolved into a commercial hub with merchants selling supplies to the local fishing people, boat repair and fishing gear as well as the place to do business for fishing people and small farmers of other nearby islands like ].

At the time of the 1911 census, the population of Cheung Chau, both land and boat based, was 7,686. The number of males was 4,519.<ref>{{Cite journal| last = Hase| first = Patrick |author-link=Patrick Hase| title = Traditional Life in the New Territories: The Evidence of the 1911 and 1921 Censuses| journal =Journal of the ]| volume = 36| page = 82| year = 1996| url = https://hkjo.lib.hku.hk/archive/files/ecc123316b3526a31a101b3c4cf08a12.pdf| issn = 1991-7295}}</ref>

From the late-1990s to the early-2000s, a spate of suicide cases (usually by ]) took place inside rental holiday flats of the island's Bela Vista Villa on Tung Wan beach, seeing more than 25 suicide attempts and 20 deaths by 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheung |first=Amy |date=2005-08-11 |title=Ghost Town |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/hk-magazine/article/2032689/ghost-town |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=] |publisher=] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Yeung |first=Winnie |date=2005-08-09 |title=Suicide theme park spooks island |url=https://www.scmp.com/article/511513/suicide-theme-park-spooks-island |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> Local newspapers soon dubbed the island "Death Island" and stories concerning ] appeared.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} In 2005, ] ] Lam Kit-sing suggested converting the notorious villa into a ] ], proposing a "ghost town" with a "charcoal-burning museum", Halloween-style fairs, and "haunted" flats for people to stay in. The plans quickly received strong opposition from residents, villa owners, and his fellow councillors, including criticism that they might create ].<ref name=":0" />


==Sights== ==Sights==
]]]
]


===Temples===
*] -- one of the oldest temples in Hong Kong
Temples on Cheung Chau include:<ref>{{in lang|zh}} </ref>
*Alleged hiding place of ] (&#24373;&#20445;&#20180;), a famous 15th century ]
*] – one of the oldest temples in Hong Kong. The temple was built in 1783. It was demolished and completely rebuilt in 1989. In front of the temple, there are 4 pairs of ]. Before the altar are statues of two generals, "]" ({{zh|t=千里眼|labels=no}}) and "]" ({{zh|t=順風耳|labels=no}}), who together are traditionally said to be able to hear and see everything
*Yearly ] -- yearly ] which includes a parade of floats, most famously including young children dressed as famous characters doing impossible balancing acts.
*] dedicated to ]
*]. Built in 1993, it is managed by the ].<ref>]: {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303202145/http://www.ctc.org.hk/en/directcontrol/temple24.asp |date=3 March 2016 }}</ref>
*], a traditional temple built in 1973, dedicated to the god of justice ]
* ] Temple ({{zh|t=觀音廟|labels=no}}) aka. Shui Yuet Temple ({{zh|t=水月宮|labels=no}}) aka. Chi Kung ({{zh|t=子宮|labels=no}}), near Kwun Yam Wan beach. Built before 1840, and dedicated to ] (Kwun Yam), it gave its name to the nearby bay Kwun Yam Wan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aab.gov.hk/form/brief_information_no_grade.pdf |title=Brief Information on proposed Grade Nil Items. Item #1272 |access-date=14 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015135424/http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/ce/Museum/Monument/form/Brief_Information_on_proposed_Grade_Nil_Items.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Others===
*] and ]
*] located near Tung Wan Beach were reported by geologists in 1970, and are ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/ce/Museum/Monument/en/monuments_14.php |title=Antiquities and Monuments Office: Rock Carvings on Cheung Chau |access-date=14 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810152714/http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Monument/en/monuments_14.php |archive-date=10 August 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Davis |first1=S.G. |last2=Edelstein |first2=Shirlee |last3=Madeleine H. |first3=Tang |date=26 September 1973 |title=Rock Carvings in Hong Kong and the New Territories |url=http://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/handle/10125/16811/AP-v17n1-1-4.pdf;jsessionid=EE3BA49390611FCE0AAAEBB819E777BC?sequence=1 |journal=] |volume=17 |issue=1 |pages=1–4 |doi= |access-date=}}</ref> This 3000-year-old rock carving is located on the east of the island, immediately below the Warwick Hotel. It consists of two groups of similar carved lines surrounding small depressions.
*], alleged to be the hiding place of ], a 19th-century ]
*], a hiking trail
*], a former cinema

==Hospitals==

The island of Cheung Chau has one operating hospital and one abandoned hospital.

=== St. John Hospital ===

], also known as '''Haw Par Hospital''', was founded in 1934 by ] and has been the island's main hospital since 1988.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fong Bin Hospital|url=http://www.cheungchaumagazine.com/%E9%95%B7%E6%B4%B2%E9%9B%9C%E8%AA%8C/tag/fong-bin-hospital-%E6%96%B9%E4%BE%BF%E9%86%AB%E9%99%A2/?lang=en|access-date=2020-09-09|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== The Cheung Chau Fong Bin Hospital (closed) ===

The Cheung Chau Fong Bin Hospital ({{Zh|t=長洲方便醫院|l=Cheung Chau Convenience Hospital|labels=no}}) was established in 1872. It was originally called the '''Asylum''' ({{Zh|t=棲留所|labels=no}}) and was not a hospital in the modern sense, in that it did not provide ] and only functioned as a refuge for poor homeless patients to die in peace and dignity and as a ] for those killed in shipwrecks.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2024-05-18 |title=Historic Building Appraisal - The Cheung Chau Fong Bin Hospital |url=https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/en/593_Appraisal_En.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518202612/https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/en/593_Appraisal_En.pdf |archive-date=2024-05-18 |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=]}}</ref>

In 1915, the Asylum was expanded by a local ] known as the Cheung Chau Kai Fong Hui ({{Zh|t=長洲街坊會|labels=no}}), and was subsequently renamed '''The Cheung Chau Fong Bin Hospital'''. The word ''Fong Bin'', meaning 'convenience' in Chinese, suggested that the hospital was meant to serve the medical needs of all. Substantial renovations took place in 1931 and 1951 to meet the rising demand for medical care in Cheung Chau and nearby ].<ref name=":1" />

In 1945, the ownership of the hospital was transferred to the Cheung Chau Residents' Association ({{Zh|t=長洲居民協會|labels=no}}). It was staffed by reputable doctors trained in ], and provided cheap and quality medical treatment that even attracted patients from other outlying islands.<ref name=":1" />

Since the 1934 opening of the St. John Hospital, which provides ], the Fong Bin Hospital had been slowly fading away. It ultimately fell into disuse and complete abandonment in 1988.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-10-04 |title=Cheung Chau Fong Bin Hospital, 1872 |url=http://www.cheungchaumagazine.com/%E9%95%B7%E6%B4%B2%E9%9B%9C%E8%AA%8C/tag/fong-bin-hospital-%E6%96%B9%E4%BE%BF%E9%86%AB%E9%99%A2/?lang=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807092143/http://www.cheungchaumagazine.com/%E9%95%B7%E6%B4%B2%E9%9B%9C%E8%AA%8C/tag/fong-bin-hospital-%E6%96%B9%E4%BE%BF%E9%86%AB%E9%99%A2/?lang=en |archive-date=2020-08-07 |access-date=2020-09-09 |website=Cheung Chau Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

The hospital has been listed as a ] since 31 August 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-07 |title=List of the 1,444 Historic Buildings with Assessment Results (as of 7 March 2024) |url=https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/204meeting/List%20of%20the%201444%20Historic%20Buildings%20with%20Assessment%20Results%20(as%20of%207%20March%202024).pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428070131/https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/204meeting/List%20of%20the%201444%20Historic%20Buildings%20with%20Assessment%20Results%20(as%20of%207%20March%202024).pdf |archive-date=2024-04-28 |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=] |page=22}}</ref>

==Culture==

===Festivals===
]
]
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Date (]) !! Festival
|-
| 1st day of 1st month || ]
|-
| 15th day of 1st month || ]
|-
| 3rd day of 3rd month || ]
|-
| 18th day of 3rd month || ]
|-
| 8th day of 4th month || ]
|-
| 5th day of 5th month || ] (Dragon Boat Festival)
|-
| 24th day of 6th month || ]
|-
| 15th day of 8th month || ]
|}

===Bun Festival===
{{Main|Cheung Chau Bun Festival}}
The annual ] is a festival which includes a parade of floats, most famously including young children dressed as famous characters doing impossible balancing acts.<ref></ref> It lasts three to four days and attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the island.

==Education==
]]]
There are currently three primary schools in Cheung Chau, including C.C.C. Cheung Chau Church Kam Kong Primary School (中華基督教會長洲堂錦江小學), Cheung Chau Sacred Heart School (長洲聖心學校), and Kwok Man School (國民學校),<ref>"." ]. Retrieved on 31 March 2019.</ref> and two secondary schools : {{ill|Buddhist Wai Yan Memorial College|zh|佛教慧因法師紀念中學}} and ]. Formerly there were 7 primary schools including the Fisheries Joint Association Public School, Shun Dal Primary School and The Cheung Chau Government Primary School and three secondary schools including the now closed ]. Although there are more people living on Cheung Chau now than ever, the fertility rate throughout Hong Kong has dropped significantly leading to many school closings throughout the city.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

Cheung Chau in Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 97. Within the school net are the three aided schools (operated independently but funded with government money) on Cheung Chau; no government schools are in this net.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/school-lists/2023dpnet-97b.pdf|title=POA School Net 97|publisher=]|accessdate=2022-09-12}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*], a ] who won ] in the ]. That Olympic gold was also Hong Kong's last Olympic medal, as in 1997 Hong Kong became a ] of the ] and now competes in the Olympics as ].
*Vincent Lee Kwun Leung ({{zh|t=李冠良|labels=no}}), a visual artist
*Kong-Kwan Cheung, First Principal of Cheung Chau Fisheries Joint Association Public School

==Climate==
{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Cheung Chau (1993–2020)
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
<!-- Record high temperatures -->
| Jan record high C = 28.4
| Feb record high C = 29.6
| Mar record high C = 30.6
| Apr record high C = 34.6
| May record high C = 34.6
| Jun record high C = 34.2
| Jul record high C = 37.0
| Aug record high C = 35.9
| Sep record high C = 36.1
| Oct record high C = 33.8
| Nov record high C = 33.2
| Dec record high C = 28.9
| year record high C = 37.0
<!-- Record low temperatures -->
| Jan record low C = 1.9
| Feb record low C = 4.3
| Mar record low C = 6.4
| Apr record low C = 10.3
| May record low C = 15.7
| Jun record low C = 19.7
| Jul record low C = 21.8
| Aug record low C = 22.1
| Sep record low C = 19.8
| Oct record low C = 14.7
| Nov record low C = 8.3
| Dec record low C = 4.5
| year record low C = 1.9
|Jan high C = 19.7
|Feb high C = 20.1
|Mar high C = 22.2
|Apr high C = 25.5
|May high C = 28.7
|Jun high C = 30.3
|Jul high C = 30.9
|Aug high C = 30.8
|Sep high C = 30.3
|Oct high C = 28.8
|Nov high C = 25.6
|Dec high C = 21.5
|Jan mean C = 16.0
|Feb mean C = 16.6
|Mar mean C = 18.9
|Apr mean C = 22.3
|May mean C = 25.5
|Jun mean C = 27.3
|Jul mean C = 27.8
|Aug mean C = 27.6
|Sep mean C = 27.0
|Oct mean C = 25.0
|Nov mean C = 21.8
|Dec mean C = 17.6
|Jan low C = 13.6
|Feb low C = 14.4
|Mar low C = 16.8
|Apr low C = 20.2
|May low C = 23.5
|Jun low C = 25.4
|Jul low C = 25.8
|Aug low C = 25.6
|Sep low C = 24.9
|Oct low C = 22.9
|Nov low C = 19.4
|Dec low C = 15.1
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 28.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 32.1
|Mar precipitation mm = 54.7
|Apr precipitation mm = 121.5
|May precipitation mm = 241.8
|Jun precipitation mm = 352.7
|Jul precipitation mm = 248.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 327.4
|Sep precipitation mm = 197.4
|Oct precipitation mm = 51.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 29.3
|Dec precipitation mm = 16.9
|Jan humidity = 75.7
|Feb humidity = 81.0
|Mar humidity = 84.0
|Apr humidity = 86.8
|May humidity = 88.3
|Jun humidity = 90.5
|Jul humidity = 89.6
|Aug humidity = 88.8
|Sep humidity = 83.8
|Oct humidity = 75.8
|Nov humidity = 74.5
|Dec humidity = 71.4
|unit rain days = 0.5 mm
|Jan rain days = 3.7
|Feb rain days = 5.5
|Mar rain days = 7.3
|Apr rain days = 8.6
|May rain days = 11.8
|Jun rain days = 16.3
|Jul rain days = 15.6
|Aug rain days = 14.6
|Sep rain days = 10.5
|Oct rain days = 4.1
|Nov rain days = 3.5
|Dec rain days = 4.0
|year rain days = 105.4
|source 1 = ] (precipitation 1996-2020, rainy days 1993-2016)<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/cis/awsMonthlyElement.htm?stn=CCH&ele=TEMP
| title = Monthly Data for Single Element
| publisher = Hong Kong Observatory
| access-date = 5 April 2024
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.hko.gov.hk/cis/region_climat/CCH/CCH_statistic_c.htm
| title = Monthly Means of Meteorological Elements for Cheung Chau, 1993-2016
| publisher = Hong Kong Observatory
| access-date = February 8, 2017}}</ref>
}}


==Transportation== ==Transportation==
].]]
]
] operates ] between ] number 5 and Cheung Chau. The ferries run approximately every 30 minutes depending upon time of day. Schedules on Sundays and public holidays differ from weekdays. The trip of about {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=off}} takes 55 minutes for ordinary ferries or 35 minutes for high speed ferries. Cheung Chau also has a ferry service to other outlying islands and regions such as ] and Chi Ma Wan.


Due to inaccessibility to cars and other vehicles, most residents use bicycles for personal transportation. A number of bicycle rental shops near the ferry pier rent bicycles to tourists. The only motor vehicles on the island are those used by the emergency services, as well as ]s used to transport goods.
There are ] from ] pier to Cheung Chau which are run aproximately every 30 depending upon time of day. Schedules on Sunday and public holidays differs from weekdays. The trip of about 16 miles takes 55 minutes or 35 minutes for ordinary ferry and high speed ship respectively.


==In popular culture==
See also:

* The 2001 Hong Kong film '']'' was set in Cheung Chau.
* The 2001 Hong Kong animated ] '']'' mentions Cheung-Chau-born ] ] and depicts its lead character ] learning ].
* The 2002 Hong Kong film '']'' was set in Cheung Chau, starring ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |title=回味無窮的《一碌蔗》 |url=http://christianweekly.net/2002/ta6083.htm |website=Christian Weekly |access-date=13 October 2002}}</ref>
* The 2010 Hong Kong film ''{{ill|The Fantastic Water Babes|zh|出水芙蓉 (2010年電影)}}'' was set in Cheung Chau, starring ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |title=長洲「瘋」情 ─《出水芙蓉》 |url=https://www.filmcritics.org.hk/film-review/node/2015/09/07/%E9%95%B7%E6%B4%B2%E3%80%8C%E7%98%8B%E3%80%8D%E6%83%85-%E2%94%80%E3%80%8A%E5%87%BA%E6%B0%B4%E8%8A%99%E8%93%89%E3%80%8B |website=filmcritics |access-date=1 August 2010}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Islands}}
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite journal |last1= Hayes|first1=James W. |author-link1=James W. Hayes |year= 1963 |title=Cheung Chau 1850-1898: Information from Commemorative Tablets |journal= Journal of the ]|volume=3 |pages= 88–106 |doi= |url=https://hkjo.lib.hku.hk/archive/files/20d77e8f15ab9d708c38fb5484f976d7.pdf |issn= 1991-7295|accessdate= }}

==External links==
{{commons category|Cheung Chau}}
* – Cheung Chau page at ]
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430124606/http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/events-festivals/chinese-festivals/index.jsp |date=30 April 2020 }}-Hong Kong Tourism Board
* – TV program by the ] on Cheung Chau. ()
*
{{Islands District}}
{{Islands of Hong Kong}}

]
]
]

Latest revision as of 11:17, 29 November 2024

Island in New Territories, Hong Kong Not to be confused with Changzhou Island, an island in Guangzhou, China.

Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau (2013)
Geography
LocationSouthwest of Hong Kong
Coordinates22°12′38″N 114°01′44″E / 22.210556°N 114.028889°E / 22.210556; 114.028889
Area2.46 km (0.95 sq mi)
Highest elevation95 m (312 ft)
Administration
Hong Kong
DistrictIslands District
Demographics
Population19,769 (2021)
Pop. density9,882.93/km (25596.67/sq mi)
Ethnic groupsChinese (92.7%)

Indonesian (2.0%)

White (1.5%)
Cheung Chau
Traditional Chinese長洲
Simplified Chinese长洲
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinChángzhōu
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationChèuhng jāu
JyutpingCoeng zau
The village of Cheung Chau, viewed from the north. The bay of Tung Wan is on the left and Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter is on the right.

Cheung Chau (Chinese: 長洲; lit. 'Long Island') is an outlying island of Hong Kong, located 10 km (6.2 mi) southwest of Hong Kong Island. It is also called Dumbbell Island (Chinese: 啞鈴島) due to its dumbbell-like shape. It has been inhabited for longer than most other places in Hong Kong, and had a population of 22,740 as of 2011. Administratively, it is part of the Islands District.

Geography

Geographically the island is formed from two mostly granite masses joined by a tombolo. With an area of 2.45 square kilometres (0.95 square miles), the island is therefore "long", hence the name as translated from Cantonese is "Long Island". Thus, it is redundant to say "Cheung Chau Island". The island is dumbbell-shaped, with hills at the northern and southern ends and the settlements concentrated in between.

Economy

The central part of the island is well-developed with shops and houses. The lane-ways are so narrow that normal motor traffic is impossible. Instead, there are small motorised trucks officially termed "village vehicles", which include specially designed mini-fire engines, ambulances and police cars.

Residential areas also exist on the hills of the north and south.

The island was traditionally a fishing village and still has fishing fleets working from the harbour. However, in recent years, the island has become a major tourist attraction, offering a mixture of sandy swimming beaches, seafood cafés, and traditional Chinese culture.

History

In 1898, Cheung Chau was leased to the United Kingdom for 99 years (till 1997) under the Second Convention of Peking, alongside some 200 other outlying islands and the New Territories. The island thus became part of British Hong Kong.

At that time, the island was mainly a fishing village and had more residents living on junks than on land. Cheung Chau had already been settled by people from other places in Southern China; for example, Hoklo, they are mainly fishing people; Hakka people; Chiu Chau; and Yue Ca. The island slowly evolved into a commercial hub with merchants selling supplies to the local fishing people, boat repair and fishing gear as well as the place to do business for fishing people and small farmers of other nearby islands like Lantau Island.

At the time of the 1911 census, the population of Cheung Chau, both land and boat based, was 7,686. The number of males was 4,519.

From the late-1990s to the early-2000s, a spate of suicide cases (usually by charcoal-burning) took place inside rental holiday flats of the island's Bela Vista Villa on Tung Wan beach, seeing more than 25 suicide attempts and 20 deaths by 2008. Local newspapers soon dubbed the island "Death Island" and stories concerning apparitions appeared. In 2005, Islands District councillor Lam Kit-sing suggested converting the notorious villa into a macabre tourist attraction, proposing a "ghost town" with a "charcoal-burning museum", Halloween-style fairs, and "haunted" flats for people to stay in. The plans quickly received strong opposition from residents, villa owners, and his fellow councillors, including criticism that they might create copycat suicides.

Sights

Pak Tai Temple
Rock Carving on Cheung Chau.

Temples

Temples on Cheung Chau include:

Others

Hospitals

The island of Cheung Chau has one operating hospital and one abandoned hospital.

St. John Hospital

St. John Hospital, also known as Haw Par Hospital, was founded in 1934 by Hong Kong St. John Ambulance and has been the island's main hospital since 1988.

The Cheung Chau Fong Bin Hospital (closed)

The Cheung Chau Fong Bin Hospital (長洲方便醫院; 'Cheung Chau Convenience Hospital') was established in 1872. It was originally called the Asylum (棲留所) and was not a hospital in the modern sense, in that it did not provide medical care and only functioned as a refuge for poor homeless patients to die in peace and dignity and as a mortuary for those killed in shipwrecks.

In 1915, the Asylum was expanded by a local kaifong association known as the Cheung Chau Kai Fong Hui (長洲街坊會), and was subsequently renamed The Cheung Chau Fong Bin Hospital. The word Fong Bin, meaning 'convenience' in Chinese, suggested that the hospital was meant to serve the medical needs of all. Substantial renovations took place in 1931 and 1951 to meet the rising demand for medical care in Cheung Chau and nearby outlying islands.

In 1945, the ownership of the hospital was transferred to the Cheung Chau Residents' Association (長洲居民協會). It was staffed by reputable doctors trained in traditional Chinese medicine, and provided cheap and quality medical treatment that even attracted patients from other outlying islands.

Since the 1934 opening of the St. John Hospital, which provides Western medicine, the Fong Bin Hospital had been slowly fading away. It ultimately fell into disuse and complete abandonment in 1988.

The hospital has been listed as a Grade III historic building since 31 August 2010.

Culture

Festivals

Temporary altar built during the Cheung Chau Bun Festival.
Bun Scrambling Competition 2010
Date (Chinese Lunar Calendar) Festival
1st day of 1st month Lunar New Year
15th day of 1st month Lantern Festival
3rd day of 3rd month Yuen Mo's Birthday
18th day of 3rd month Birthday of Tin Hau
8th day of 4th month Bun Festival
5th day of 5th month Tuen Ng Festival (Dragon Boat Festival)
24th day of 6th month Birthday of Kwan Tai
15th day of 8th month Mid-Autumn Festival

Bun Festival

Main article: Cheung Chau Bun Festival

The annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival is a festival which includes a parade of floats, most famously including young children dressed as famous characters doing impossible balancing acts. It lasts three to four days and attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the island.

Education

Cheung Chau Government Secondary School

There are currently three primary schools in Cheung Chau, including C.C.C. Cheung Chau Church Kam Kong Primary School (中華基督教會長洲堂錦江小學), Cheung Chau Sacred Heart School (長洲聖心學校), and Kwok Man School (國民學校), and two secondary schools : Buddhist Wai Yan Memorial College [zh] and Cheung Chau Government Secondary School. Formerly there were 7 primary schools including the Fisheries Joint Association Public School, Shun Dal Primary School and The Cheung Chau Government Primary School and three secondary schools including the now closed Caritas Saint Paul's Secondary School. Although there are more people living on Cheung Chau now than ever, the fertility rate throughout Hong Kong has dropped significantly leading to many school closings throughout the city.

Cheung Chau in Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 97. Within the school net are the three aided schools (operated independently but funded with government money) on Cheung Chau; no government schools are in this net.

Notable people

Climate

Climate data for Cheung Chau (1993–2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 28.4
(83.1) 		29.6
(85.3) 		30.6
(87.1) 		34.6
(94.3) 		34.6
(94.3) 		34.2
(93.6) 		37.0
(98.6) 		35.9
(96.6) 		36.1
(97.0) 		33.8
(92.8) 		33.2
(91.8) 		28.9
(84.0) 		37.0
(98.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 19.7
(67.5) 		20.1
(68.2) 		22.2
(72.0) 		25.5
(77.9) 		28.7
(83.7) 		30.3
(86.5) 		30.9
(87.6) 		30.8
(87.4) 		30.3
(86.5) 		28.8
(83.8) 		25.6
(78.1) 		21.5
(70.7) 		26.2
(79.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 16.0
(60.8) 		16.6
(61.9) 		18.9
(66.0) 		22.3
(72.1) 		25.5
(77.9) 		27.3
(81.1) 		27.8
(82.0) 		27.6
(81.7) 		27.0
(80.6) 		25.0
(77.0) 		21.8
(71.2) 		17.6
(63.7) 		22.8
(73.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 13.6
(56.5) 		14.4
(57.9) 		16.8
(62.2) 		20.2
(68.4) 		23.5
(74.3) 		25.4
(77.7) 		25.8
(78.4) 		25.6
(78.1) 		24.9
(76.8) 		22.9
(73.2) 		19.4
(66.9) 		15.1
(59.2) 		20.6
(69.1)
Record low °C (°F) 1.9
(35.4) 		4.3
(39.7) 		6.4
(43.5) 		10.3
(50.5) 		15.7
(60.3) 		19.7
(67.5) 		21.8
(71.2) 		22.1
(71.8) 		19.8
(67.6) 		14.7
(58.5) 		8.3
(46.9) 		4.5
(40.1) 		1.9
(35.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 28.3
(1.11) 		32.1
(1.26) 		54.7
(2.15) 		121.5
(4.78) 		241.8
(9.52) 		352.7
(13.89) 		248.9
(9.80) 		327.4
(12.89) 		197.4
(7.77) 		51.5
(2.03) 		29.3
(1.15) 		16.9
(0.67) 		1,702.5
(67.02)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.5 mm) 3.7 5.5 7.3 8.6 11.8 16.3 15.6 14.6 10.5 4.1 3.5 4.0 105.4
Average relative humidity (%) 75.7 81.0 84.0 86.8 88.3 90.5 89.6 88.8 83.8 75.8 74.5 71.4 82.5
Source: Hong Kong Observatory (precipitation 1996-2020, rainy days 1993-2016)

Transportation

A First Ferry ferry at Cheung Chau Ferry Pier, within Cheung Chau typhoon shelter.
Medical evacuation by helicopter from Cheung Chau's helipad

Sun Ferry operates ferries between Central pier number 5 and Cheung Chau. The ferries run approximately every 30 minutes depending upon time of day. Schedules on Sundays and public holidays differ from weekdays. The trip of about 20 kilometres (12 miles) takes 55 minutes for ordinary ferries or 35 minutes for high speed ferries. Cheung Chau also has a ferry service to other outlying islands and regions such as Mui Wo and Chi Ma Wan.

Due to inaccessibility to cars and other vehicles, most residents use bicycles for personal transportation. A number of bicycle rental shops near the ferry pier rent bicycles to tourists. The only motor vehicles on the island are those used by the emergency services, as well as village vehicles used to transport goods.

In popular culture

See also

References

  1. "普查結果 | 2011年香港人口普查". www.census2011.gov.hk. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  2. Survey and Mapping Office, Lands Department: Hong Kong geographic data sheet
  3. Hase, Patrick (1996). "Traditional Life in the New Territories: The Evidence of the 1911 and 1921 Censuses" (PDF). Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch. 36: 82. ISSN 1991-7295.
  4. Cheung, Amy (11 August 2005). "Ghost Town". South China Morning Post. HK Magazine. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  5. ^ Yeung, Winnie (9 August 2005). "Suicide theme park spooks island". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  6. (in Chinese) Cheung Chau Temples
  7. Chinese Temples Committee: Hung Shing Temple, Cheung Chau Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  8. "Brief Information on proposed Grade Nil Items. Item #1272" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  9. "Antiquities and Monuments Office: Rock Carvings on Cheung Chau". Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  10. Davis, S.G.; Edelstein, Shirlee; Madeleine H., Tang (26 September 1973). "Rock Carvings in Hong Kong and the New Territories". Asian Perspectives. 17 (1): 1–4.
  11. "Fong Bin Hospital". Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  12. ^ "Historic Building Appraisal - The Cheung Chau Fong Bin Hospital" (PDF). Antiquities Advisory Board. 18 May 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  13. "Cheung Chau Fong Bin Hospital, 1872". Cheung Chau Magazine. 4 October 2013. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  14. "List of the 1,444 Historic Buildings with Assessment Results (as of 7 March 2024)" (PDF). Antiquities Advisory Board. 7 March 2024. p. 22. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  15. Cheung Chau Bun Festival
  16. "POA School List 97." Hong Kong Education Bureau. Retrieved on 31 March 2019.
  17. "POA School Net 97" (PDF). Education Bureau. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  18. "Monthly Data for Single Element". Hong Kong Observatory. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  19. "Monthly Means of Meteorological Elements for Cheung Chau, 1993-2016". Hong Kong Observatory. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  20. "回味無窮的《一碌蔗》". Christian Weekly. Retrieved 13 October 2002.
  21. "長洲「瘋」情 ─《出水芙蓉》". filmcritics. Retrieved 1 August 2010.

Further reading

External links

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