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District Highlights of Sham Shui Po
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Situated in the northwestern part of the Kowloon Peninsula and bounded by the Lion Rock Country Park to the north, the East Rail Line of the Mass Transit Railway to the east, Boundary Street to the south, and the waterfront area including Stonecutters Island to the west, Sham Shui Po District covers an area of about 1 047 hectares. The district can be divided into seven areas, namely Mei Foo, Lai Chi Kok, Cheung Sha Wan, Central Sham Shui Po, Shek Kip Mei, Yau Yat Chuen and West Kowloon Reclamation Area. |
Population
Sham Shui Po District was already densely populated back in the 1950s and 1960s. Its population once reached 440 000 in 1986 and is now 365 600. The district has a relatively low household income on average and its elderly population is comparatively large, and many new arrivals choose to reside temporarily or permanently in the district.
Characteristics of Housing
Public and private housing in the district are of roughly the same percentage. There are 14 public housing estates, including Shek Kip Mei Estate, Hong Kong's first public rental housing estate built in 1954, and seven Home Ownership Scheme estates. As for private housing, there are a considerable number of private blocks, built in the 1950s and 1960s, along Cheung Sha Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok Road and Tai Po Road. Most of them are five to seven-storey buildings. Some other private housing developments in the district, like Mei Foo Sun Chuen and Yau Yat Tsuen, have marked features. Mei Foo Sun Chuen, built in 1968, is Hong Kong's first large-scale private housing estate comprising eight phases with 60 000 residents living in a total of 99 blocks; whereas Yau Yat Tsuen is a low density residential area, adding variety to the district.
Industrial and Commercial Development
Sham Shui Po District is probably Hong Kong's earliest industrial and commercial centre. Wholesale and retail businesses of mainly textile and clothing, apparels, piece goods and non-staple food, are concentrated in Cheung Sha Wan and Lai Chi Kok. With the migration of industrial activities to the Mainland, factories in the district have been changing to commercial, exhibition and logistics purposes, bringing vitality to the early developed area. Sham Shui Po District is also a distributing centre for computer and electronic goods, and its computer shopping centres are famous to all residents and visitors.
Community Facilities
The district has a highly-developed transport network. Public transport routes as well as Mass Transit Railway, Airport Railway and highway networks running through the district provide people with convenient means to travel around the territory. There are two hospitals, one university (City University of Hong Kong), 80 primary and secondary schools, three community centres (Cheung Sha Wan, Tai Hang Tung, Nam Cheong) and five community halls (Lai Kok, Pak Tin, Shek Kip Mei, Lai Chi Kok, Mei Foo). Besides, people can enjoy the five sports centres, three public swimming pools, one squash and table-tennis centre, one sports ground, 7 major parks, four libraries and three mobile library stops in the district.
Though Sham Shui Po is an old district, its long history has also contributed to its relatively well established development and social network. As a number of redevelopments commenced in succession, the living environment of the district will no doubt be further improved.
District Council
The Sham Shui Po District Council (formerly known as District Board) was set up in 1981. Currently, the district consists of 21 constituencies. During this tenure, there are 24 District Council members including 3 appointed members.
Future Development
The inauguration of a number of redevelopment projects and the historical buildings revitalisation plans for the former Lai Chi Kok Hospital, North Kowloon Magistracy and Mei Ho House will bring new impetus to the district, promoting its tourism, cultural and creative industries.
Famous Visitor Spots in Sham Shui Po
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Opening Hours of the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum
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Dragon Centre |
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Festival Walk |
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Apliu Street |
Opening Hours of Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre
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Monday to Sunday
10:00a.m. - 10:00p.m.
Closed on major public holidays (e.g. Chinese New Year)