Cheung Chau facts for kids
Cheung Chau (2013)
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Southwest of Hong Kong |
| Coordinates | 22°12′38″N 114°01′44″E / 22.210556°N 114.028889°E |
| Area | 2.46 km2 (0.95 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 95 m (312 ft) |
| Administration | |
| District | Islands District |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 19,769 (2021) |
| Pop. density | 9,882.93 /km2 (25,596.67 /sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Chinese (92.7%)
Indonesian (2.0%) White (1.5%) |
| Cheung Chau | |||||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 長洲 | ||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 长洲 | ||||||||||||
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Cheung Chau (Chinese: 長洲), which means "Long Island," is a special island in Hong Kong. It's located about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of Hong Kong Island. People sometimes call it Dumbbell Island because of its unique shape. Cheung Chau has been home to people for a very long time, even longer than many other places in Hong Kong. In 2011, about 22,740 people lived there. It's part of the Islands District in Hong Kong.
What is Cheung Chau Like?
Island Shape and Size
Cheung Chau is shaped like a dumbbell. It has two hilly parts, one in the north and one in the south. These two parts are connected by a narrow strip of land. The island is about 2.45 square kilometers (0.95 square miles) in size. This "long" shape is how it got its name. Most of the homes and shops are built on the flat land in the middle.
Life and Work on Cheung Chau
How People Get Around
The middle part of Cheung Chau is busy with shops and houses. The streets are very narrow, so regular cars can't drive there. Instead, people use small motorized trucks. These are called "village vehicles." There are even tiny fire engines, ambulances, and police cars specially made for the island!
Fishing and Tourism
Cheung Chau was once a busy fishing village. Even today, you can see fishing boats in the harbor. But now, the island is also a popular place for tourists to visit. People come to enjoy the sandy beaches, eat fresh seafood, and experience traditional Chinese culture.
Cheung Chau's Past
Becoming Part of Hong Kong
In 1898, Cheung Chau was leased to the United Kingdom for 99 years. This was part of a deal that also included many other islands and the New Territories. So, Cheung Chau became part of British Hong Kong.
Early Settlers
At that time, many people on the island lived on boats called junks rather than on land. People from different parts of Southern China, like the Hoklo and Hakka, settled here. They were mainly fishing people. Over time, Cheung Chau grew into a trading center. Merchants sold supplies to fishermen, repaired boats, and helped with business for both fishermen and small farmers from nearby islands like Lantau Island.
In 1911, about 7,686 people lived on Cheung Chau, including those on land and on boats.
Places to See
Important Temples
Cheung Chau has several old and beautiful temples:
- Pak Tai Temple – This is one of the oldest temples in Hong Kong, built in 1783. It was rebuilt in 1989. Inside, you can see statues of two generals, "Thousand Miles Eye" and "Favourable Wind Ear." People believed they could see and hear everything.
- Four temples dedicated to Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea.
- Hung Shing Temple – Built in 1993.
- Kwan Kung Chung Yi Ting – A traditional temple from 1973, honoring Kwan Tai, the god of justice.
- Kwun Yam Temple – Also known as Shui Yuet Temple, it's near Kwun Yam Wan beach. Built before 1840, it's dedicated to Guanyin (Kwun Yam).
Other Interesting Spots
- Tung Wan and Kwun Yam Wan beaches – Great places for swimming and relaxing.
- Rock carvings – Near Tung Wan Beach, these carvings are about 3,000 years old! They are protected as important historical sites.
- Cheung Po Tsai Cave – This cave is said to have been a hiding place for a famous pirate named Cheung Po Tsai in the 1800s.
- Cheung Chau Mini Great Wall – A fun hiking trail with great views.
Hospitals on the Island
Cheung Chau has one hospital that is still open and one old hospital that is now closed.
St. John Hospital
St. John Hospital, also called Haw Par Hospital, opened in 1934. It has been the main hospital for the island since 1988.
The Old Cheung Chau Fong Bin Hospital (closed)
The Cheung Chau Fong Bin Hospital opened in 1872. It was not a hospital like we know today. It was a place where poor, homeless people could go to die peacefully. It also served as a place to keep bodies of those who died in shipwrecks.
Later, in 1915, a local group expanded it and renamed it "The Cheung Chau Fong Bin Hospital." "Fong Bin" means 'convenience' in Chinese. This name suggested it would help everyone with their medical needs. It was updated in 1931 and 1951 to help more people. In 1945, a residents' group took over the hospital. It had doctors who used traditional Chinese medicine and offered affordable care.
After St. John Hospital opened in 1934, offering Western medicine, the Fong Bin Hospital was used less and less. It finally closed in 1988. This old hospital building is now listed as a Grade III historic building.
Island Culture
Fun Festivals
Cheung Chau is famous for its lively festivals!
| 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 |
The Bun Festival
The annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival is a very popular event. It lasts for three or four days and brings thousands of visitors to the island. A highlight is a parade with amazing floats. You'll see young children dressed as famous characters, appearing to balance in impossible ways!
Schools on Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau has three primary schools: C.C.C. Cheung Chau Church Kam Kong Primary School, Cheung Chau Sacred Heart School, and Kwok Man School. There are also two secondary schools: Buddhist Wai Yan Memorial College and Cheung Chau Government Secondary School. Even though more people live on Cheung Chau now, fewer babies are being born in Hong Kong. This has led to some schools closing down across the city.
Famous People from Cheung Chau
- Lee Lai-shan – She is a windsurfer who won Hong Kong's very first Olympic gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics. This was also Hong Kong's last Olympic medal before it became a Special Administrative Region of China in 1997.
- Vincent Lee Kwun Leung – A talented visual artist.
Getting to Cheung Chau
You can take a Sun Ferry from Central Pier number 5 to Cheung Chau. Ferries leave about every 30 minutes. The trip is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) long. It takes 55 minutes on a regular ferry or 35 minutes on a faster one. There are also ferries from Cheung Chau to other nearby islands like Mui Wo.
Since cars aren't allowed on most of the island, most people get around using bicycles. You can easily rent bikes near the ferry pier if you're visiting! Only emergency vehicles and special "village vehicles" are allowed to use motors.
Images for kids
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Cheung Chau (2013)
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Map of Cheung Chau
See also
In Spanish: Cheung Chau para niños
