From sleepy fishing village to bustling new town
Photos by Terry Chow
Go back just 30 years and Tung Chung hummed to the sound of nets being cast, fish being scoured and racked for drying, and fisherfolk swapping notes on where they might find the next big shoal. Wind the clock forward and the current soundtrack is one of over 90,000 people going about their everyday business – MTR commuters wending their way to Kowloon and beyond, cable cars swaying in the breeze and a gigantic serpent arching above the sea in the form of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.
The new town, the first in the outlying islands, continues to expand and develop its own character as it does so. For now, traditional village houses and tiny temples rub shoulders with gleaming new malls and tower blocks. You can read more on the making of a metropolis here.
While many islanders have welcomed the changes development has brought to Tung Chung – MTR access to town, a hospital, first-rate schools and both private and public housing estates – others are less wowed by its ongoing gentrification, and there are inevitable concerns for the environment. Situated on the coast and surrounded by two country parks, Tung Chung remains ecologically rich – though it has fast transformed into a biodiversity hotspot in need of our protection, as outlined here.
One of the biggest and arguably brightest changes 2021 has brought to Tung Chung is the transformation of T Bay into a lively community hub, with a fresh outcrop of bars and restaurants all centred around the swanky new Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung. The hotel opened this time last year and has from the outset endeavoured to involve the community in its inventive F&B offerings and staycations. For some highlights, and a look at Xmas-themed dining options on offer at the hotel this month, read here.
In fact, with Citygate decked out like a Christmas tree and poinsettias brightening up every flower stall, it’s incredibly easy to enjoy a traditional holiday celebration in Tung Chung. When it comes to making merry, the new town really does have a lot to offer. Bars and restaurants from Citygate to Seaview Crescent are pulling out all the stops, with festive menus complete with all the trimmings and fancy cocktails to get the party started.
Happy Holidays!
