Ma Wan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ma Wan (Traditional Chinese: 馬灣) is an island of Hong Kong, located between Lantau Island and Tsing Yi Island. The island belongs to Tsuen Wan district. It has an area of 0.96 km².

Two channels separate Ma Wan and other major islands. To the east is the Ma Wan Channel, separating it from Tsing Yi Island; to the west is Kap Shui Mun, separating it from Lantau Island. The north seafront is opposite Tsing Lung Tau on the mainland New Territories.

Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach is located on the island. A temple of the goddess Tin Hau is found on the northern beach and was originately built by the local pirate Cheung Po Chai, who often looked after the locals.

The island was originally a small fishing village, only accessible by boats or ferries. As part of the Hong Kong Government's Rose Garden plan, the Lantau Link was constructed in the mid-1990s to connect the new Hong Kong International Airport to the city centre. The highway link was to pass through Ma Wan, and plans to develop the island began to emerge. Today, a large part of the island is occupied by the Park Island apartment complex. A theme park was proposed to accompany the housing project, but currently there is no indication that the proposal will be realised.

[edit] Transport

The island is connected to Tsing Yi by the Tsing Ma Bridge (a suspension bridge), and to Lantau Island by the Kap Shui Mun Bridge (a cable-stayed bridge). Both bridges are part of the Lantau Link.

Park Island Transport Co., Ltd. operates bus services between Park Island and Tsing Yi MTR Station, Ma Wan and Kwai Fong; ferry services between Ma Wan and Central and between Ma Wan and Tsuen Wan West (next to the KCR station).

There is also a bus route that operates to Tsuen Wan (close to the MTR station), which is not operated by the Park Island Transport Co. A ferry for Sham Tseng can also be boarded from Ma Wan village.