![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Harbour_of_Aberdeen.jpg/300px-Harbour_of_Aberdeen.jpg)
Aberdeen is an area at the south shore of the Hong Kong Island of Hong Kong. It is part of the Southern District. Aberdeen Harbour is a harbour between Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau. Aberdeen traditionally includes the town of Aberdeen, Wong Chuk Hang and Ap Lei Chau, but it sometimes referred to the town only.
Etymology
editPetmal/Aberdeen Harbour | |||||||||||
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Traditional Chinese | 香港仔 | ||||||||||
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Aberdeen was named, in 1845, after the British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen. It is famous to tourists for the boat people living in the harbour and the floating seafood restaurants such as the Jumbo Floating Restaurant. The boat people are generally associated with the fishing industry, and there are also several dozen expatriates living on boats in the harbour.
Aberdeen is known indigenously as Heung Kong Tsai or Hong Kong Tsai (香港仔), which means Hong Kong Minor. It is believed that Aberdeen is where the name of Hong Kong (more accurate transcription, Heung Kong) originates. Heung Kong Tsuen (香港村, Hong Kong village) on Ap Lei Chau was mentioned in Ming maps. Another walled-village Heung Kong Wai in Wong Chuk Hang was also founded during Qianlong era of Qing. Heung Kong mean Fragrant Harbour, where incense trees (Aquilaria sinensis) from New Territories were transferred here to export to other cities in China.
Transport
editAberdeen is served by Pok Fu Lam Road, and Aberdeen Tunnel and Nam Fung Road through Wong Chuk Hang. Nam Fung Road connects Deep Water Bay Road, which also connects Wong Nai Chung Gap Road to Happy Valley. A bridge links Aberdeen with Ap Lei Chau over the Aberdeen Harbour.
The proposed MTR West Island Line and South Island Line will have stations in this area.
There are regular ferries to Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan on Lamma Island.
Transport to and from the boats in the harbour is usually provided by sampans. These can also be hired to Lamma.
In popular culture
editAberdeen Harbour is the first area of the video game Shenmue II .
Education
editCanadian International School of Hong Kong, is also located on Nam Long Shan near Aberdeen.
References
edit- Transport Department site giving routes and timetables
- (2005). Eywitness Travel Guides: China, London:Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 1-4053-0876-1.
See also
edit- List of harbours in Hong Kong
- List of buildings, sites and areas in Hong Kong
- Aberdeen, Scotland, which also has a harbour