Route 13 - Repulse Bay Road (No. 12 Repulse Bay Road Cheng Yu Tung’s Mansion)－Beach Road－Repulse Bay Flashcards
(6 cards)
Route 13 - Points to mention
(Repulse Bay Road (No. 12 Repulse Bay Road Cheng Yu Tung’s Mansion)－Beach Road－Repulse Bay)
(this section ends when the coach parks at Repulse Bay)
4 sites + information - 6-8 minutes
- Southern District (front)
- Repulse Bay (right)
- The Repulse Bay Building (left)
- The Lily (left)
- Information on Walking Tour
Southern District
3:15 minutes (if completely presented)
1. Location: (4)
* We are now entering the Southern District of Hong Kong Island, also known as Hong Kong South, one of the 18 administrative districts of the city.
* It covers an area of 4,000 hectares, constituting nearly half of Hong Kong Island.
* The area stretches from Big Wave Bay in the east to Pok Fu Lam in the west.
* It includes areas such as Shek O, Tai Tam, Stanley, Repulse Bay, Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen, and Ap Lei Chau.
2. Population: (4)
* Even before Hong Kong became a port, this area was home to indigenous communities and boat people.
* Today, it’s a vibrant blend of working class, middle class, and affluent residents.
* About half the population lives in public housing or Home Ownership Scheme flats, while others reside in luxury areas like Shouson Hill, Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay, and Stanley (which we’ll visit shortly).
* Statistically, the Southern District boasts one of the highest median monthly household incomes in Hong Kong for economically active families.
3. Scenery: (3)
* The district is beloved for its beautiful natural scenery, surrounded by mountains and sea.
* It is especially popular for its beaches, which are among the most visited in Hong Kong.
* These beaches are well-maintained, with convenient access, good facilities, clean water quality, and lifeguards on duty, making them ideal for weekend recreation, family outings, and water sports.
4. Luxury Culture: (7)
* We have just passed No. 12 Repulse Bay Road, the former home of the late billionaire Cheng Yu-Tung.
* He was known for owning the lucky license plate “8888,” which he bought for HK$1 million.
* This ties into one of Hong Kong’s quirky but fascinating traditions: the license plate auction system.
* Since 1973, the city has allowed individuals to bid on customized license plates, often paying sky-high prices for lucky numbers or meaningful combinations.
* Originally, numbers 1–10 were reserved for government vehicles, but now all letter and number combinations (except “1” for the Commissioner of Police) are auctioned publicly.
* In Chinese culture, certain numbers carry special meanings—like “8,” which sounds like “wealth” in Cantonese—making combinations like “8888” especially desirable.
* The most expensive plate ever sold was simply the letter “W”, said to mean “Winner”, fetching HK$26 million in 2021.
Repulse Bay
1. Location (1)
2. Historical Background (2)
3. Repulse Bay Beach (6)
3. Residential Area (1)
4. Cultural Significance (2)
1:45 minutes (if completely presented)
1. Location: (1)
* We are now approaching Repulse Bay, one of Hong Kong’s most prestigious residential areas.
2. Historical Background: (2)
* Its Chinese name refers to the beach’s shallow waters, whereas…
* The English name comes from the British warship HMS Repulse, which once patrolled this coastline.
3. Repulse Bay Beach: (6)
* Since the 19th century, this beach has been a favorite destination.
* Once public buses began serving the area, it became accessible to beachgoers from across the island.
* Repulse Bay Beach has one of the longest beaches in Hong Kong with a length of around 292 meters, featuring soft white sand and spectacular sea views.
* The beach was extended artificially, and the sand closer to the shore is coarser in texture than the sand further away.
* It is just a short ride from central Hong Kong and features outdoor restaurants, scenic promenades, and a laid-back, resort-like feel…
* …making it ideal for family outings and holiday relaxation.
4. Residential Area: (1)
* Living here is the epitome of status—residents enjoy club facilities and panoramic sea views in all directions.
5. Cultural Significance: (2)
* Repulse Bay also holds cultural and literary significance.
* It was featured in W. Somerset Maugham’s novel The Painted Veil (1925) and in the Hollywood film Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955), starring William Holden and Jennifer Jones, with several romantic scenes filmed right here.
The Repulse Bay (Building)
1. Introduction (2)
2. Architecture (5)
3. Feng Shui (2)
2:15 minutes (if completely presented)
1. Introduction: (2)
* Take a look at the light blue wave-shaped building on the left with a large square hole in the middle.
* This is The Repulse Bay, built on the site of the historic Repulse Bay Hotel, which was demolished in 1982.
2. Architecture: (6)
* Completed in 1989, its award-winning design draws inspiration from the abstraction of flags.
* The curved façade, reflects the shape of the bay,ensuring all units enjoy ocean views.
* The current building includes a shopping arcade and four luxury residential towers.
* It cost about HK$300 million to build and houses approximately 209 apartments, some of which are service apartments.
3. Feng Shui: (2)
* The most iconic feature is the large square-shaped hole, often referred to as the “Dragon Gate”.
* According to feng shui legend, a dragon from the mountain passes through this portal to drink water in the bay, bringing good fortune to residents.
The Lily
1:50 minutes
1. Introduction: (2)
* Just ahead on our left is one of Repulse Bay’s most striking architectural landmarks: 129 Repulse Bay Road, better known as The Lily.
* Developed by the Chinachem Group, this luxury residential complex is not just a building—it’s a work of architectural art.
2. Architecture: (4)
* Designed by Sir Norman Foster—the same visionary behind the Hong Kong International Airport, the HSBC Main Building, and the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal—
* The Lily showcases both elegance and engineering brilliance.
* Foster applied mechanical design principles to create a structure that blooms upward like a flower, gradually expanding from base to top.
* Although it appears as a single tower, The Lily is actually composed of four interconnected towers rising 30 stories high, offering 134 spacious apartments, all with uninterrupted sea views.
3. Facilities: (2)
* The lifestyle here matches the building’s iconic look.
* Residents enjoy resort-style amenities, including (6): an indoor all-weather swimming pool, fully-equipped gym, children’s playground, BBQ area, conference rooms, and even a private shuttle service.
Information on Walking Tour
0:50 minutes - 3 Bulletpoints
1. Introduction:
After discussing so much about Repulse Bay, I know everyone wants to experience it.
2. Tour route:
We’ll soon get off the bus to walk through Repulse Bay’s Tin Hau Temple Park and have some free time.
3. Duration of the tour:
It’s now xxx o’clock, and we’ll stay here for about 1 hour.
4. Safety Instruction:
* Please note my phone number XXXX XXXX and our bus number TB5477.
* Remember to take all your valuables and prepare to get off.
5. Tour Instructions:
When we get off, please follow me first as I’ll introduce and explain things, and show you
* where and when we will meet to board the bus again later, and the….
* restroom facilities and more, before your free time begins.
