Ma Wan

Ma Wan (zh-t|t=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. It is today more well known as Park Island (a private housing estate on the island).

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 South West is Kap Shui Mun, separating it from Lantau Island. The north seafront is opposite Tsing Lung Tau on the mainland New Territories. The South is facing Tang Lung Chau island.

Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach is located on the island.

Temples of the goddess Tin Hau are found on the island. One has been rebuilt on the northern beach and was originately built by the local pirate Cheung Po Tsai, who often looked after the locals. Another one is located at the old Tin Liu village site.

The prehistoric island had late neolithic inhabitants as proved by recent excavations. There were also inhabitants here during the Han Dynasty. More recently in the last 250 years it was a small fishing village named Tin Liu, only accessible by boats or ferries. It was founded by a Chan family from Tsing Yi island. 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, named Ma Wan Park was proposed to accompany the housing project, and the first phase was opened on July 1, 2007.

Highlights

History
* Remains have been found from the Mid-Neolithic Age (about 3000 BC), the late Neolithic Age (about 2000 BC), the early Bronze Age (about 1000 BC), the Han Dynasty (206 BC -220 AD), the Tang Dynasty (618 -917 AD) and the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911 AD). Complete Neolithic human skeletal remains were found in tombs at Tung Wan Tsai in 1997. (Ref. The Antiquities and Monuments Office of the Home Affairs Bureau)
* 24 housing units donated by Americans in 1965 (see them on a top of a hill near to the Fishermen's association)
* Once had a Customs house, still recorded by a stone monument named "Kowloon Gate" monument. (see it near to the old Rural Committee). It ceased activity on October 4th, 1899 (Ref. the book Voices from the Past: Hong Kong, 1842-1918 )
* 250 years old village, quite empty as of 2007 -- The new Tin Liu Village has been built a bit on top of it.
* Foreign visitors in 1794. See "A Reconnaissance of Ma Wan and Lantao Islands in 1794"

Ma Wan features
* Fishing village with floating houses
* Clear water wells
* Ma Wan Alliance Church
* Tsing Ma Bridge, world's longest span suspension bridge carrying both road and railway traffic. Tsing Ma Bridge+ Ma Wan Viaduct + Kap Shui Mun Bridge together link Tsing Yi island to Lantau island and form the Lantau Link.
* Ma Wan Park
* The Heritage Museum (or Heritage Centre) exhibits the evolution of the island since Neolithic to nowadays, includes a Tang Dynasty mud kiln and a Qing Dynasty brick kiln found on Ma Wan, and replicas of the late Neolithic skeletons.
* Deep waters (for Hong Kong) surrounding - 30 m
* Annual traditional festivals, such as Tin Hau.
* Cantonese Opera productions.
* Popular photography site.
* Local production of the shrimp paste "habe"
* Small red crabs.
* Cemetery on the south side.
* The Salvation Army Ma Wan Youth Camp
* Noah's Ark Museum (Ma Wan Park)

Transport

Although the Hong Kong government originally claimed it would be "physically impossible" to give the island a road connection via the Lantau Link, this proved to be possible after all as part of the Park Island construction. The island is now 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, Park Island and Kwai Fong Metroplaza, Park Island and Hong Kong International Airport; Park Island and Tsuen Wan (close to the MTR station), and also ferry services between Park Island and Central and between Park Island and Tsuen Wan West (next to the KCR station).

With effective from 3 July 2008, urban taxis are allowed access Ma Wan during the overnight period from 11pm to 7am to meet residents' transport needs. [ [http://www3.news.gov.hk/isd/ebulletin/en/category/infrastructureandlogistics/080527/html/080527en06002.htm Ma Wan taxi toll arrangements approved] ]

Private vehicles are generally not permitted to enter the island, an arrangement which also exists in Discovery Bay on the nearby Lantau Island; however a permit can be requested from the Transport Department of Hong Kong. Minibuses are not allowed, but the Park Island management company operates cars in case of emergency or special situations, though their availability is not guaranteed. Lorries may enter the island between 10am to 4pm daily without the need for a special permit.

Several ferry piers are on the island. One in Park Island on the north east, one on the old Tin Liu village on the west (formerly hosting Sham Tseng ferries), one on the south of the island facing Tang Lung Chau, one on the North of the island used for the garbage removal, one on the South East side (but on a Government land not open).

Location

* [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=ma+wan&sll=22.348171,114.068642&sspn=0.145114,0.22213&ie=UTF8&ll=22.350473,114.060102&spn=0.018139,0.027766&t=k&z=15&om=1 Google maps]
* [http://wikimapia.org/1674268/ Wikimapia]

See also

* Islands of Hong Kong
* List of buildings, sites and areas in Hong Kong

References

External links

* [http://www.hk-place.com/view.php?id=145 Some pictures of Ma Wan]
* [http://www.parkisland.net Park Island private community forum]
* [http://www.parkisland.com Park Island website]
* [http://www.mawanpark.com Mawan Park]
* [http://www.kwmwps.edu.hk/ Kei Wai Primary School]
* [http://sunzi1.lib.hku.hk/hkjo/view/44/4401060.pdf A Reconnaissance of Ma Wan and Lantao Islands in 1794]