Sai Kung Town

Sai Kung was established as a market town for the surrounding villages as {{zh|t=西貢墟|labels=no}} around 100 years ago.{{cite web|url=http://www.travelinsaikung.org.hk/Historical/view1.aspx?menu=16|script-title=zh:西貢墟|trans-title=Sai Kung Town|website=travelinsaikung.org.hk|publisher=Sai Kung District Council|language=zh-hk|date=c. 2011|access-date=1 December 2019}} Nowadays, officially, the town is more often referred to as {{zh|t=西貢市|labels=no}}. Despite its modern transliteration, {{zh|t=市|labels=no}} (usually meaning 'city' in Classical Chinese), {{zh|t=墟|labels=no}} and {{zh|t=市|labels=no}} both mean 'market'. The word {{zh|t=市|labels=no}} was also used by the colonial British government to transliterate the word 'town'; for example, Tai Po Town.

The name Sai Kung ({{zh|t=西貢|link=no}}) first appeared in Western publications dating back to the early 1900s, but the settlement was, at the time, described only as "the village of Sai Kung".{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YWcvAAAAYAAJ|title=Asiatic Pilot Vol.3: Coast of China, Yalu River to Hongkong with Formosa 1909|page=549|publisher=U.S. Hydrographic Office|date=1910}} Sai Kung also probably first appeared on a map of Xin'an County, made by Simeone Volonteri, in 1866. The origins of the name Sai Kung are relatively unknown.{{cite web|url=http://www.hktraveler.com/HKFish_SK2013/edu_characteristic.htm|script-title=zh:西貢海域的漁業文化特色|website=hktraveler.com|publisher=Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department|author=糧船灣養魚業協會|access-date=16 December 2019|language=zh-hk}} Moreover, the accuracy of Volonteri's map, in general, has been criticised,{{cite journal|title=The San On Map of MGR. Volonteri|first=Ronald C. Y.|last=Ng|journal=The Geographical Journal|volume=135|issue=2|doi=10.2307/1796827 |date=June 1969|pages=231–235|jstor=1796827}} particularly regarding specific place names—such as Green Hill, which, historically, was known as Tuen Mun Hill.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_itrBgAAQBAJ|script-title=zh:屯門|series=香港地區史研究|author=劉智鵬 [Lau Chi-pang]|editor1=Lau Chi-pang|editor2=劉蜀永 [Liu Shuyong]|language=zh-hk|publisher=Joint Publishing (Sino United Publishing)|isbn=978-962-04-3147-0|date=July 2012|location=Hong Kong|script-chapter=zh:屯門與青山}}

According to Professor David Faure, no market was recorded, where modern-day Sai Kung District is located, in the Qing dynasty's Xin'an Xianzhi ({{zh|t=新安縣志|l=Gazetteer of the Xin'an County}}), neither in the Kangxi edition (1688) nor in the Jiaqing edition (1819).{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FRL4AAAAIAAJ|title=The structure of Chinese Rural Society: Lineage and Village in the Eastern New Territories, Hong Kong|chapter=Local Alliances|series=East Asian Historical Monographs|location=Hong Kong|publisher=Oxford University Press|date=1986|last=Faure|first=David|pages=121–127|isbn=0-19-583970-6}} Instead, Faure stated that, due to inaccessibility of land-based transport, Leung Shuen Wan (High Island) was probably developed into a moorage inlet in the 18th century. Shops were opened on Leung Shuen Wan (though not within the modern bounds of Sai Kung Town), as well as a Tin Hau Temple, for the boat-living people of the area. Objects uncovered at the temple date back to the year 1741 CE, of the western calendar.

Additionally, Prof. Faure stated that the market(s) on Sai Kung Peninsula was (were) founded before the signing of the Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory (1898), which ceded the entire peninsula to the Hong Kong colony as the New Territories and New Kowloon. In the early 1900s, the Sai Kung market had expanded to 50 shops, plus four boat-builders' maintenance sheds. Furthermore, a smaller market of around 18 shops operated in Hang Hau, which became part of the developed area of Tseung Kwan O New Town (not part of Sai Kung Town).

There were no proper educational institutions or other schools on Sai Kung Peninsula at that time, as traditional learning establishments were located in the smaller settlements. However, the Catholic Church of Hong Kong had established a primary school there, at the end of the 19th century, which taught a Western curriculum in the market town. The colonial British government also established a police station and a dispensary near the market.

During WWI, ships were required to undergo inspection by the Royal Navy upon entering or prior to leaving Victoria Harbour. The Port Shelter and Sai Kung market town were located outside of the harbour and thus benefited from the policy by becoming places for resupply. A temple, inside Sai Kung market town, also became a local civic centre, such as for the settlement of disputes. The local business owners, who were not from the surrounding villages, even acted as representatives for Sai Kung in Heung Yee Kuk in the 1920s. Heung Yee Kuk represented the interests of the rural villages of the New Territories and was recognized by the colonial government as a consulting institution. However, in the 1930s, the local merchants formed their own chamber of commence and gradually took-over political influence in the market town. Nowadays, however, the Heung Yee Kuk seat for the Sai Kung Central constituency is elected by the local residents of the town through universal suffrage. The rural villages surrounding the town still elect their own representatives to Heung Yee Kuk.

According to another author, Sai Kung market town expanded and grew economically in the 1950s. At the time, much of the world was enforcing an embargo on the newly-established People's Republic of China, and the market town became a place for smuggling goods to the Republic.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dnFODwAAQBAJ|script-title=zh:樂遊新界東街市|page=29|author1=爾東|author2=何泳儀|author3=何展鵬|script-chapter=zh:西貢區|trans-chapter=Sai Kung District|language=zh-hk|location=Hong Kong|publisher=Ming Pao Publications|isbn=978-988-8444-43-4|date=June 2017}}

Sai Kung town underwent significant expansion during the 1970s, when the High Island Reservoir (and its associated water management schemes) required some villagers and fishermen to be relocated to Sai Kung. This provided new government-funded residential and commercial development in the town centre, and was followed by Tui Min Hoi (literally 'over the harbour')'s development under the government's market town programme.{{citation needed|date=November 2012}}

Before the relocation of Hong Kong International Airport from Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok, the town was a popular residential area for the airport's and airlines' international employees.{{citation needed|date=November 2012}}

The town is next to Sai Kung Hoi, which was a fishing harbour. The harbour is now a typhoon shelter, where motorized junks, used in the local tourist trade, are moored. These boats can be hired for sightseeing, or for fishing or swimming trips.

The statutory boundaries of the town were developed by the Sai Kung Town Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) in the 2000s,{{cite web|last1=Chan|first1=Albert|author-link1=Albert Chan|last2=Suen|first2=Michael|date=13 November 2002|title=LCQ15: Outline Zoning Plans|url=https://www.devb.gov.hk/en/publications_and_press_releases/press/index_id_1652.html|access-date=1 December 2019|publisher=Housing, Planning and Lands Bureau; Legislative Council|author-link2=Michael Suen}} and approved by 2006.{{cite press release|url=https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201112/23/P201112230199.htm|title=Approved Sai Kung Town Outline Zoning Plan referred back for amendment|date=23 December 2011|publisher=Hong Kong Government}} However, in elections, the town is served by the constituency of Sai Kung Central, which roughly covers the same area as the OZP.

The statutory boundaries of the town are Hiram's Highway, Po Tung Road and Tai Mong Tsai Road in the north and west. In the south, the town is bordered by the Tsiu Hang Special Area, as well as Pak Sha Wan Peninsula. To the east, the coastline serves as the boundary.{{cite press release|url=https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201306/14/P201306140375.htm|title= Draft Sai Kung Town Outline Zoning Plan approved|date=14 June 2013|access-date=1 December 2019|publisher=Hong Kong Government }}

The coordinate of the weather station is {{coord|22|22|32|N|114|16|28|E|display=inline}}.

File:HK TuiMinHoiChuen HoiCheongLau.JPG

Tui Min Hoi Chuen ({{zh|t=對面海邨|}}) is a public housing estate in Tui Min Hoi, developed by Hong Kong Housing Society. It is the first rural public housing estate developed by Hong Kong Housing Society. It consists of 4 blocks of 5-storey buildings completed in 1984, 1985 and 1986.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hkhs.com/404.html|title=香港房屋協會|website=www.hkhs.com}}[http://www.fso-tela.gov.hk/accessibility/eng/locations_details.cfm?Photo_Num=00727 Tui Min Hoi Chuen] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014002042/http://www.fso-tela.gov.hk/accessibility/eng/locations_details.cfm?Photo_Num=00727 |date=14 October 2007 }}File:HK Lakeside Garden.jpg

Lakeside Garden ({{zh|t=翠塘花園|}}) is primarily a subsidised private housing estate[http://www.hkhs.com/eng/business/pdf/nomination_request.pdf Monthly Rent of Housing Society's Rental Estates] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090117171517/http://www.hkhs.com/eng/business/pdf/nomination_request.pdf |date=17 January 2009 }} and Flat-for-Sale Scheme estate on the reclaimed land.{{Cite web|url=http://hkclweb.hkpl.gov.hk/hkclr2/igateway?svc=bsch&stype=itr¶m=title&frm=1&to=1&ss=ContentPhoto&ctrlid=751491&lang=eng|title=Photo Content Cover (Internet English)|date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721160621/http://hkclweb.hkpl.gov.hk/hkclr2/igateway?svc=bsch&stype=itr¶m=title&frm=1&to=1&ss=ContentPhoto&ctrlid=751491&lang=eng|archive-date=2011-07-21}} It is the third rural housing scheme developed by Hong Kong Housing Society. It consists of ten private residential blocks and one rental residential block, completed in 1997. The rental block provides affordable rental housing similar to those of the Hong Kong Housing Authority.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hk-place.com/view.php?id=226|title=香港地方 | 建設及建築物 | 房協屋村(二)|website=www.hk-place.com}}

Sai Kung Town is primarily served by double-decker buses, minibus and both green and red taxis.{{cite web|url=https://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/taxi/details_of_taxi_operating_areas_/index.html|title=Hong Kong Taxi Operating Areas|publisher=Hong Kong Transport Department}} There is no MTR link to Sai Kung Town. Ferry services are available to the neighbouring islands and isolated coastal villages in Sai Kung Hoi.

Take a minibus to Sai Kung from Hang Hau MTR Station (minibus 101M), Mong Kok MTR Station (red minibus), or Choi Hung MTR Station (minibus 1A or bus 92).

Sai Kung is served by Sai Kung & Clearwater Bay Magazine, a freely-distributed, English-language monthly magazine, and the community website Saikung.com.

Sai Kung is in Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 95. Within the school net are multiple aided schools (operated independently but funded with government money) and one government school: Tseung Kwan O Government Primary School (將軍澳官立小學).{{cite web|url=https://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/school-lists/2023dpnet-95b.pdf|title=POA School Net 95|publisher=Education Bureau|accessdate=2022-10-09}}

The Hong Kong Academy (Early Childhood, Primary & Secondary) is located in Sai Kung.

Sai Kung Sung Tsun Catholic School (Primary Section & Secondary Section) is also located in Sai Kung.

• Man Yee Wan New Village
• Sha Tsui New Village
• Dock 1A (Expected to happen in January 2025)

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Sai Kung Town}}

• [https://www.had.gov.hk/rre/images/village_map1922/Q/q-sk-57.pdf Delineation of area of existing village Hoi Pong Street (Sai Kung) for election of resident representative (2019 to 2022)]
• [https://www.had.gov.hk/rre/images/village_map1922/Q/q-sk-67.pdf Delineation of area of existing village Main Street (East) (Sai Kung) for election of resident representative (2019 to 2022)]
• [https://www.had.gov.hk/rre/images/village_map1922/Q/q-sk-68.pdf Delineation of area of existing village Main Street (West) (Sai Kung) for election of resident representative (2019 to 2022)]
• [https://www.had.gov.hk/rre/images/village_map1922/Q/q-sk-61.pdf Delineation of area of existing village Po Tung Road (East) (Sai Kung) for election of resident representative (2019 to 2022)]
• [https://www.had.gov.hk/rre/images/village_map1922/Q/q-sk-62.pdf Delineation of area of existing village Po Tung Road (West) (Sai Kung) for election of resident representative (2019 to 2022)]
• [https://www.had.gov.hk/rre/images/village_map1922/Q/q-sk-66.pdf Delineation of area of existing village Sai Kung Road (North) (Sai Kung) for election of resident representative (2019 to 2022)]
• [https://www.had.gov.hk/rre/images/village_map1922/Q/q-sk-65.pdf Delineation of area of existing village Sai Kung Road (South) (Sai Kung) for election of resident representative (2019 to 2022)]
• [https://www.had.gov.hk/rre/images/village_map1922/Q/q-sk-58.pdf Delineation of area of existing village See Cheung Street (Sai Kung) for election of resident representative (2019 to 2022)]
• [https://www.had.gov.hk/rre/images/village_map1922/Q/q-sk-63.pdf Delineation of area of existing village Tai Street (East) (Sai Kung) for election of resident representative (2019 to 2022)]
• [https://www.had.gov.hk/rre/images/village_map1922/Q/q-sk-64.pdf Delineation of area of existing village Tai Street (West) (Sai Kung) for election of resident representative (2019 to 2022)]
• [https://www.had.gov.hk/rre/images/village_map1922/Q/q-sk-60.pdf Delineation of area of existing village Tak Lung Back Street (Sai Kung) for election of resident representative (2019 to 2022)]
• [https://www.had.gov.hk/rre/images/village_map1922/Q/q-sk-59.pdf Delineation of area of existing village Tak Lung Front Street (Sai Kung) for election of resident representative (2019 to 2022)]

{{Sai Kung District}}

{{Public housing estates in Hong Kong}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Hakka culture in Hong Kong