Route 24 - Des Voeux Road West (Western Police Station)－Connaught Road Central (Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal)

Question 1

Route 24 - Points to Mention:

(Des Voeux Road West (Western Police Station)－Connaught Road Central (Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal))

This section ends at Wui Tat Centre

2 sites + 3 HK-related topics - 6-10 minutes EIGHT TRAFFIC LIGHTS

Answer 1

1. Western Police Station (right)
2. Western District and Commercial Development in Western District - including Dried Seafood Street (optional)
3. Trams (optional)
4. Transport in Hong Kong (optional)

Question 2

Western Police Station
1. Transition (1)
2. Introduction: Western District Police Station (3)
3. Cultural Origins of “Ah Lo Chai” (4)
4. Legacy and Administrative Role (2)

1:50 minutes

Answer 2

1. Transition: (1)
* We have now entered the western section of Des Voeux Road, named after Sir George William Des Vœux, the 10th Governor of Hong Kong.

2. Introduction: (3)
* On your right is the Western District Police Station, a historic site still commonly referred to by locals as “Police Station No. 7.”
* This nickname comes from the colonial era, when police stations were numbered sequentially as they were built across Hong Kong Island.
* This station was the seventh to be completed, hence its lasting title: “No. 7 Police Station.”

3. Cultural Origins of “Ah Lo Chai”: (4)
* After the cession of the Kowloon Peninsula to Britain in 1860, Hong Kong’s population surged.
* By 1862, just twenty years into colonial rule, the population had grown to around 120,000, prompting the expansion of the police force.
* The government began recruiting officers from the Bombay Infantry of British India—mainly Indian and later Pakistani officers.
* These officers, who wore turbans as part of their uniform, became known locally as “Ah Lo Chai,” a colloquial Cantonese term that initially referred to Indian policemen, and eventually came to represent all police officers or stations in general slang.

4. Legacy and Administrative Role: (2)
* As the city evolved, it was divided into 18 administrative districts based on geography.
* This area is part of the Western District, and this still-functioning police station officially carries the name Western District Police Station today.

Question 3

Western District and Its Commercial Development
1. Introduction (2)
2. Shek Tok Tsui (2)
3. Commercial Legacy: Triangle Pier and Cheng Xing Cheng Markets (3)
4. Des Voeux Road West – Hong Kong’s “Dried Seafood Street” (3)
5. Transformation (2)
6. Photogenic Spots (3)

3:40 minutes

Answer 3

1. Introduction: (2)
* We are now in Sai Wan, referring to the Western District, which includes Sai Ying Pun, Shek Tong Tsui, and Kennedy Town.
* As one of the earliest areas settled by Chinese immigrants from the Mainland, Sai Wan has long played a crucial role in the city’s development—economically, culturally, and socially.

2. Shek Tong Tsui: (2)
* In the early 20th century, Shek Tong Tsui was known for its vibrant nightlife and gained notoriety as a red-light district, also associated with gambling and opium use.
* This ended in 1935 when the Hong Kong government made prostitution illegal, bringing that part of the neighborhood’s history to a close.

3. Commercial Legacy – Triangle Pier and Cheng Xing Cheng Markets: (3)
* Historically, Triangle Pier, located in the Shek Tong Tsui, served as a key hub for loading and unloading goods from Mainland China.
* This made Sai Wan a central location for trade and distribution.
* As trade flourished, nearby streets developed into a “成行成市” (Cheng Hang Cheng Shi) market style—meaning rows of similar shops that created vibrant, specialized commercial streets.

4. Des Voeux Road West – Hong Kong’s “Dried Seafood Street”: (3)
* Over time, Des Voeux Road West became known as “Dried Seafood Street.”
* Traders dried seafood on rooftops and sold it downstairs—a tradition that continues today.
* With over 100 shops on both sides of the street, it’s the go-to place for premium dried goods from the sea, like abalone, shark fin, scallops, and fish maw, as well as produce from the land, like ginseng, and bird’s nest.
* Black moss, dried mushrooms, lotus seeds, and sausages are especially popular during Chinese New Year.

5. Transformation: (2)
* The opening of the MTR Island Line extension to Sai Ying Pun, HKU, and Kennedy Town in 2014 brought rapid transformation.
* Once seen as remote, the district experienced urban renewal, rising property values, and the emergence of trendy coffee shops, galleries, and boutiques.

6. Photogenic Spots: (3)
* Today, Sai Wan balances its heritage with hip modern life and offers some of Hong Kong’s most photogenic public spots, such as:
* The Sai Wan Swimming Shed – one of the last traditional coastal swimming platforms, and …
* The Western District Public Cargo Working Area, nicknamed “Instagram Pier” or “Sky Mirror”, famous for stunning sunsets and reflective puddles after rain.
* Both places are popular among photographers, offering the perfect mix of urban charm and natural beauty.

Question 4

Trams (quasi-optional)
1. Transition: (1)
2. Established: (3)
3. Historical Development: (4)
4. Route & Coverage: (5)
5. Affordable and Scenic Travel: (4)
6. Cultural and Tourist Experiences: (3)
7. Other Information: (1)

3:40 minutes

Answer 4

1. Transition: (1)
* As we pass through Des Voeux Road West, you may hear the familiar “ding ding” of Hong Kong’s famous trams.

2. Established: (3)
* These electric trams, officially known as Hong Kong Tramways, began operating in 1904 and have since become a beloved symbol of the city.
* They are the world’s only all-double-decker tram fleet, operating exclusively on Hong Kong Island.
* Nicknamed “Ding Ding” because of the iconic bell sound used to alert pedestrians.

3. Historical Development: (4)
* Service began in 1904 with 26 single-deck cars, delivered in parts and assembled locally.
* In 1912, the first double-decker trams were introduced with open-top designs for ventilation and views.
* By 1913, they were fitted with canvas roofs to provide rain protection.
* In 1923, wooden roofs were added, evolving into the fully enclosed double-deckers we see today.

4. Route & Coverage: (5)
* Tracks were built in stages but remain exclusive to Hong Kong Island.
* The tram system today stretches across the northern corridor, with six main routes.
* The lines run from Kennedy Town in the west to Shau Kei Wan in the east.
* A loop line also circles Happy Valley, making the total track length about 30 km with 120 stops.
* As of 2023, trams carry around 134,000 passengers daily, remaining popular despite the extensive MTR system.

5. Affordable and Scenic Travel: (4)
* Trams operate on a flat fare system:
- Adults: HK$3.30
- Children (3–11): HK$1.70
- Seniors (60+): HK$2 (standard senior fare for public transport)
* The fare stays the same regardless of distance.
* The upper deck is perfect for sightseeing, offering panoramic views of city life.
* Trams run from 5:30 AM to 12:30 AM, making them a convenient and nostalgic way to explore.

6. Cultural and Tourist Experiences: (3)
* The TramOramic Tour features a 1920s-style open-top tram for a heritage-themed ride.
* The tour includes audio guides in 8 languages, narrating the city’s history, landmarks, and culture.
* Trams can also be privately rented for birthdays, corporate events, and even wedding proposals.

7. Other Information: (1)
* In 2021, Hong Kong Tramways earned the Guinness World Record for the “Largest double-decker tram fleet in service.”

Question 5

Transport in Hong Kong (optional)
1. Overview (3)
2. Buses and Minibuses (6)
3. Taxis (7)
4. Railways (7)
6. Octopus Card – Tap and Go (2)

2:30

Answer 5

1. Overview: (3)
* Hong Kong has one of the busiest and most efficient public transport systems in the world.
* Every day, millions of people get around using buses, minibuses, trams, taxis, ferries, and trains.
* We have already talked about The Peak Tram, the Star Ferry, and Hong Kong Tramways, our oldest way of mechanical transport, so let me tell you about the other more modern transport options:

2. Buses and Minibuses: (6)
* There are four main bus companies in Hong Kong, operating different regional route networks.
* All buses are air-conditioned, and passengers pay a fixed fare when boarding.
* Most of the buses are double-decker buses.
* You’ll also see minibuses with up to 19 seats.
- Green minibuses have fixed routes and fares, while
- Red minibuses are more flexible—they don’t have set routes or prices and usually require cash payment.

3. Taxis: (7)
* Taxis provide personalized point-to-point transportation services.
* Hong Kong taxis are color-coded by region:
* Red taxis serve most of Hong Kong.
- Green taxis run in the New Territories, and are usually cheaper, and…
- Blue taxis operate on Lantau Island.
* All taxis can go to the airport, the Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, and Disneyland.
* The starting fare is HK$29, and while some accept Octopus or cards, many still take only cash.

4. Railways: (7)
* The MTR (Mass Transit Railway) is the safest, fastest, most comfortable, and environmentally friendly mass transit option.
* Operated by MTR Corporation Limited, the network spans about 271 kilometers.

It includes:
- 9 local train lines,
- The Airport Express,
- The High-Speed Rail to mainland China, and
- The Light Rail system in the New Territories
- There are also MTR feeder buses in some areas to help people reach the stations.

5. Octopus Card – Tap and Go: (2)
* The Octopus card is a rechargeable smart card used for almost all public transport in Hong Kong.
* Just tap to pay on** trains, buses, trams, ferries, and even some taxis**. You can also use it in shops and restaurants, making it a fast and easy way to get around.