Special Features of Sha Tin

Brief Introduction of Sha Tin District

District Area: 6,940 hectares

Population:  608,300 (Source: Latest Statistics on Population and Household (2008), Census and Statistics

                                                    Department, HKSAR Government)

Boundary: Sha Tin and Ma On Shan areas

Sha Tin is a well developed new town comprising mainly residential areas. About 65% of the population live in public housing which includes rental estates, Tenants Purchase Scheme and Home Ownership Scheme courts. There are also about 29,000 people living in some 48 indigenous villages. In addition, there are four industrial areas for light industries in Sha Tin including Tai Wai, Fo Tan, Siu Lek Yuen and Shek Mun.

For details of electoral boundary map and constituency boundaries of Sha Tin District, please visit the website of Electoral Affairs Commission:

http://www.eac.gov.hk/pdf/distco/maps/dc2007r.pdf

 

Traffic and Transportation

The road network in Sha Tin is well developed to provide efficient cross-town and local access traffic. Connection between Sha Tin and Kowloon relies on the Lion Road Tunnel, Tate’s Cairn Tunnel and Tai Po Road. Opened in 1960s, the Lion Rock Tunnel offers access to Central Kowloon. Drivers can get to East Kowloon via the Tate’s Cairn Tunnel, which was completed in 1991. Route 9 connects Sha Tin to Tsuen Wan and New Territories West via the Shing Mun Tunnel and to Northeast New Territories via Tolo Highway.

Sai Sha Road was opened in 1988. It connects Sha Tin to Sai Kung via Ma On Shan. Ma On Shan Bypass (formerly known as T7 Road) has been opened in August 2004, which allows traffic bypass Ma On Shan Town Centre when going from north of Ma On Shan to Sai Kung.

The section of Route 8 between Cheung Sha Wan and Sha Tin with the 3 tunnels (namely Tai Wai Tunnel, Sha Tin Heights Tunnel and Eagle’s Nest Tunnel) are completed by March 2008. The expressway provides the fourth road link between Sha Tin and Kowloon, serving the increasing traffic demand between Northeast New Territories and West Kowloon and Lantau, and it will also help relieve the traffic pressure on Lion Rock Tunnel, Tate's Cairn Tunnel and Tai Po Road. Upon completion of the whole Route 8 at the year end in 2009, it will only take 35 minutes to go from Sha Tin to the airport.

MTR (East Rail Line and Ma On Shan Line) is a major means of transportation for Sha Tin residents. Besides, there are around 110 routes of public bus servicing Sha Tin.

Cycle Track

Cycling has been a distinctive feature in Sha Tin and is very popular among people living in or outside Sha Tin.  The first cycle track in Sha Tin was opened to public in 1981, running along Tolo Highway to Tai Po.  To tie in with the development of Ma On Shan, the cycle track is extended to Ma On Shan.

Education

At present, there are altogether 44 primary schools (of which two are half-day schools) and 50 secondary schools in Sha Tin and Ma On Shan areas.  Besides, there are tertiary institutions, including the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Sha Tin), the Hang Seng School of Commerce and the Hong Kong Sports Institute, in the Sha Tin district.

Culture, Sports & Recreational Facilities

There are numerous cultural, recreational and sports facilities in Sha Tin including the Town Hall, swimming pools, football pitches, indoor recreation centers, the Ma On Shan Waterfront Promenade (Phase 1 was opened in late July 2009) and various track and field facilities for the use of Sha Tin residents.

The 8-hectare Sha Tin Park was opened to public in 1988.  Apart from its horticultural gardens and impressive water features, it also includes a large open plaza and a bandstand.  The Ma On Shan Park, which is adjacent to Ma On Shan Swimming Pool, occupies 5.5 hectare of land.

The Sha Tin Racecourse, occupying approximately 70 hectares, rests on reclaimed flatland.  The Penfold Garden located at the center of the racecourse opens to the public on non-racing days.

Located in Tai Wai, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum was opened at the end of 2000.  Apart from introducing the art, culture and history of the New Territories, the Museum also exhibits a variety of cultural artifacts for public appreciation.  The Museum, which can house 6 000 visitors, is the largest museum in the territory.

Medical and Health Service Facilities

The Prince of Wales Hospital was officially opened in 1982.  It provides about 1 400 hospital beds and 24 hours Accident & Emergency service to the eastern New Territories.  Other institutions which provide hospital services include the Sha Tin Hospital, the Cheshire Home and the Union Hospital.

Public Rental and Subsidised Housing

There are altogether 17 public housing estates (5 of which are Tenants Purchase Scheme estates), 18 Home Ownership Scheme courts and 7 Private Sector Participation Scheme developments in the district.

Local Special Features and Events

  • Sha Tin has the longest tunnel in Hong Kong - the Tate's Cairn Tunnel with a total length of about 4 kilometers.

  • Sha Tin has the first tunnel in Hong Kong - the Lion Rock Tunnel completed in 1967.

  • The Hong Kong Heritage Museum at Tai Wai commissioned in 16 December by the end of 2000, is the largest museum in the territory and can receive six thousand visitors at the same time.

  • Sha Tin has the largest number of MTR East Rail Line Stations - a total of 5 stations namely Tai Wai, Sha Tin, Fo Tan, Racecourse and University.

  • Sha Tin has the whole MTR Ma On Shan Line, with a total of 9 stations namely Tai Wai, Che Kung Temple, Sha Tin Wai, City One, Shek Mun, Tai Shui Hang, Heng On, Ma On Shan and Wu Kai Sha.

  • The first public housing estate in Sha Tin - Lek Yuen Estate (completed in 1976).

  • The oldest and largest walled village in Sha Tin - Tai Wai Village (built in 1574).

  • Saddle Ridge Garden in Sha Tin is the largest Private Sector Participation Scheme courts in the territory. It has a total of 4,200 flats.

  • Sui Wo Court (1983) in Sha Tin is one of the first Home Ownership Scheme (Phase I)  courts in the territory.

  • 10 scenic spots in Sha Tin

 
 Che Kung Temple
Amah Rock


Tsang Tai Uk

Sha Tin Racecourse


Lion Pavilion

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery


Chinese University of Hong Kong
Shing Mun River


Lion Rock
Ma On Shan
  • Hong Kong Heritage Museum

  • Snoopy's World


 

  • Festive Lightings in Sha Tin



  • Dragon Boat Race in Sha Tin


Last review date: 31 August 2009
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