Mid-levels
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mid-levels (Traditional Chinese: 半山區) is a residential area on Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. Located halfway up Victoria Peak, directly above Central, it is a popular residential area with both local people and expatriates. In the past, residents were mostly British and other expatriates, but many more locals have moved to the area in recent years.
Contents |
[edit] Location
Mid-levels includes the area between from Bonham Road, Caine Road, Upper Albert Road, Kennedy Road in the north to Conduit Road in the south. In the west it extends as far as Hong Kong University, and in the east to south of Wan Chai. It is mainly divided into East Mid-levels above Admiralty, Central Mid-levels above Central and Sheung Wan, and West Mid-levels above Sai Ying Pun.
[edit] Special characteristics of the Mid-levels
Mid-Levels provides a lot of choices for housing, from very luxurious to small and compact apartments. The cost of these apartments varies considerably according to the size and location. The cost ranges from a few million dollars to about two hundred million Hong Kong dollars (HKD).
Aside from the panoramic view of Victoria Harbour from Mid-levels, it is also close to Central and Admiralty, which are both significant business areas, thus providing easy and convenient access for the business people living in Mid-levels.
An added attraction of the Mid-levels is its close proximity to nature and a comparatively better air quality than the rest of Hong Kong Island. This may account for the some of the extremely high prices of residential accommodation. Many famous people are convinced that it is worthwhile to pay such a high price for a house or apartment in this area for health reasons. It is easy to spot many well-known people in this district.
Many prestigious colleges and schools can be found in Mid-Levels, the most historical and famous schools being probably The University of Hong Kong and St. Joseph's College.
Another characteristic one can find in Mid-Levels is the naming of roads after former Governors of Hong Kong, such as Bonham Road (after George Bonham, 1848-1854) and Kennedy Road (after Arthur Edward Kennedy, 1872-1877). Many of the roads in this area are within walking distance of the Central Business District, which is accessible by the mid levels escalator from Central (see below).
[edit] Famous streets
Most of the streets in Mid-levels have their own characteristics that mark them different from each other.
[edit] The Central-Mid-levels Escalator
The Central-Mid-levels escalator is 800 m long, the longest outdoor escalator in the world. It was opened to the public on 15 October 1994. It plays a very important role in transport linkage in Hong Kong since it links Central with Conduit Road in the Mid-Levels, and people travelling between these two places can thus save a lot of time and money. The escalator runs downhill from 6 am to 10 am and uphill from 10:30 am to midnight everyday. Apart from its significance in transport linkage, it is also a tourist spot.
[edit] Others
- Bowen Road - One of the early residential streets in Mid-Levels, which follows the contours of the surrounding hills. At the time of World War II, the British Military Hospital was located on Bowen Road. Nowadays the road is popular with joggers, because it is quite long and fairly level.
- Conduit Road - Residential area, and last stop of the Central-Mid-levels Escalator.
- Po Shan Road - One of the early residential streets in Mid-Levels. The area is semi-rural, the forest spreading down from The Peak, past Po Shan Road, to the Conduit Road level.
[edit] Recreation
Midlevels is a place with a lot of recreational facilities, as famous parks such as Hong Kong Park and well-known buildings can be found here. They provide you with a relaxing environment that you can enjoy with your family and friends at leisure. On the other hand, the Peak is also a famous place for recreation and sightseeing. These places have become the destinations that a myriad of tourists and visitors crave to see most when they come to Hong Kong.
[edit] Hong Kong Park
Main Text: Hong Kong Park
Hong Kong Park is located next to Cotton Tree Drive in Central and can be easily reached by walking through the Pacific Place and its nearby escalator. Hong Kong Park was open to public in May 1991. It covers an area of 80,000 m² and is an outstanding example of modern design and facilities blending with natural landscape.
[edit] Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens
The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens is one of the oldest Zoological and Botanical centres in the world. It is located on the northern slope of Victoria Peak and has been opened to the public since 1862. In 1871, the name was officially changed to Botanical Gardens, and in 1975, the name was changed again to Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens. This venerable park was previously named Bing Tao Garden, as it was linked to the garden to the Government House in those days, meaning the Chief Commander's Garden. In 1958, a bronze statue of King Geoge VI was erected in the garden to mark the centenary year in which Hong Kong became a British Colony.
The history of keeping wild animals in the Garden can be traced as early as 1876. But at that time, animals were kept for entertainment purpose only. From 1970s to now on, emphasis has changed to techniques in captive breeding and conservation breeding programmes for zoological collection. Today, the Garden have collection of over 600 birds, 70 mammals and 40 reptiles which are housed in about 40 enclosures. Collections such as American Flamingo, Jaguar and Burmese Python can be found. For botanical collection, the Garden keeps for more than 1000 species of inland plant. Examples of collections are Conifer, Fig, Palm, Gum Trees and Magnolia. Besides, a Greenhouse standing at the eastern boundary of the Garden houses over 150 native and exotic species including orchids, ferns, bromeliads, climbers and house plants etc.
[edit] Lung Fu Shan Country Park
Lung Fu Shan Country Park covers the densely vegetated slopes of Lung Fu Shan, including the disused Pinewood Battery as well as the Pinewood Garden picnic area, providing a scenic backdrop to the residential and commercial districts of Hong Kong Island. It is situated at the north of Pok Fu Lam Country Park. Towards the east of Lung Fu Shan Country Park is Hatton Road, to the south is Harlech Road whereas to the north and west is a covered conduit constructed by the Water Supplies Department. This country park covers an area of about 470,000 m² and also commands an excellent vista of the western part of the territory and the Victoria Harbour.
[edit] Wan Chai Nature Trail
Wan Chai Nature Trail is a short footpath and it only takes about 2 hours to follow the trail thoroughly. It introduces knowledge about nature, mainly concerning with biological, geological and geographical aspects.
[edit] Art and culture
In Mid-levels, you are able to feel the culture trait, ranging from the traditional to the modern cultures. Different sorts of cultural buildings such as museums, temples and churches can be found here. They offer you an opportunity to enrich your knowledge and broaden your horizons. Through walking along these museums and famous old buildings, you will have the feeling of going back to the past and experience the multiplicity of culture in Hong Kong.
[edit] The Flagstaff House Museum
Inside the Hong Kong Park, there is the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware (茶具文物館), which is a branch museum of the Hong Kong Museum of Art. It was built in the 1840s and originally served as the office and residence of the Commander of the British Forces in Hong Kong. However, it was converted to the Museum of Tea Ware in 1984, with a new wing (the K.S. Lo Gallery) added in 1995. Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware specializes in the collection, study and display of tea ware. In order to promote Chinese tea drinking culture, a lot of exhibitions are held in the museum. For example, special Exhibition of Pottery and Porcelain: A Journey of Discovery will be displayed from 10 March 2004 to 13 December 2004. Moreover, there are also permanent exhibitions such as Chinese Tea Drinking and Chinese Ceramics and Seals Donated by the K.S. Lo Foundation. Besides, video programmes in Cantonese and Japanese version, regular presentations and lecture programmes, services like free guided tours and giftshops can also be found. The most special and interesting service provided in the museum is the Chinese Teahouse. It is located on the ground floor of the K.S. Lo Gallery, its main purpose not only serves Chinese tea, but also holds tea demonstrations regularly. After you tour the galleries, you may feel tired and thirsty, then you can go there to enjoy a nice cup of tea, which can make you feel relaxed and refreshed.
[edit] Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre
The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is located at Kennedy Road in Central, with the main aim of the centre supporting local art creation. The centre was restructured from an early 20th century building (Cassels Block, former barracks for married British officers) in order to provide an arena and facilities for local artists to enhance their creativity. You can enjoy a lot of modern artifacts and sculptures in this centre.
[edit] The University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong (UMAG)
The UMAG is located inside the University of Hong Kong, with an aim to promote Chinese art and culture to college students and the entire community. The UMAG usually holds some high standard exhibitions and art educational activities in order to promote the art education in Hong Kong. For example, the exhibition--Brilliant Tranquility: Paintings by Szeto Lap is held from 7 February to 14 March in 2004. The museum is located in the Fung Ping Shan Building, which is situated next to the main entrance of the university. In addition, the Art Gallery is located in the three lower storeys of the T T Tsui Building, which is located next to the Fung Ping Shan Building. Also, there is a bridge linking the two building together.
[edit] Education
Education is greatly emphasized by the Hong Kong government. Therefore it is not surprising to find a lot of schools and colleges in the Mid-levels. The most famous one, of course, is the University of Hong Kong which is believed to be the top educational center in Hong Kong for many decades. Other famous secondary schools such as King's College are also located here.
[edit] The Main Building of the University of Hong Kong
The Main Building of the University of Hong Kong is the oldest of all the university's structures. Donated by Sir H N Mody, this building's construction began in 1910 and was completed in 1912 at Pok Fu Lam Road. It is made of red bricks and granite and a four turrets with a central clock tower. The clock tower was donated by Sir Paul Chater. The central Great Hall of Main Building is named after the wealthy businessman Lok Yew. In the Second World War, the entire building was damaged but was later repaired. In 1952, two more courtyards were built south to the building and an additional one was completed in 1958. At present, the building houses various departments of the Arts Faculty.
[edit] Hung Hing Ying Building, The University of Hong Kong
In 1919, Sir Paul Chater and Professor G P Jordan donated money for the construction of the building, Hung Hing Ying Building, near the Main Building of the University of Hong Kong. This building was designed to house the student union. After the Second World War, it became the Administrative Building. In 1960, the east wing was added and it was made to the Senior Common Room for Staff in 1974. The name of the building remains unchanged until today and it houses the Department of Music at the present.
[edit] Old Hall, The University of Hong Kong
Old Hall used to be a residence hall for students. It was divided into three blocks: Lugard Hall, Eliot Hall and May Hall, which were built in 1913,1914 and 1915 respectively. All buildings were made of red-bricks, three-storey high, with interconnecting stairs and corridors. The University combined the three halls and renamed it Old Halls in 1969. The Lugard Hall was demolished in 1991, the Eliot Hall became the Administrative Building and the May Hall is used as Office for General Education Unit.
[edit] St. Paul's Co-educational College
Pictures: Entrance, Primary School, Inside the Campus
St. Paul's Co-ed. had its first premises at Caine Road in 1915, and moved to the current site at Macdonnell Road in 1925. It was founded as St. Paul's Girls' College, and was converted into co-educational after the World War 2, and was the first co-educational secondary school in Hong Kong. Dr Catherine Woo Building of the campus was the only portion built in 1925, before subsequent expansions took place.
[edit] King's College
King's College was built as Sai Ying Pun School in 1879 at the corner of Bonham Road and Western Street. The British used the school as the quarters and hospital for the British Shanghai Defence Force soon after it opened. In 1928, it was reverted to a school but was turned into a stable in 1941 by the Japanese. It became a school again in 1950 and it remains a Government School since then. The building is constructed of red bricks and has three wings: east, south and north.
[edit] St. Joseph's College
Established in 1875, St. Joseph's College (SJC, 聖若瑟書院) is the first Catholic boys' secondary school in Hong Kong. It is located at 7 Kennedy Road, Mid-levels, in the Central and Western District.
The College is a Lasallian institution. Together with a kindergarten and a primary school, St. Joseph's Primary School, both situated at 48 Wood Road, Wan Chai, the St. Joseph's (the "Schools") population now exceeds 4200.
The Schools provide education which focuses not only on academic but also extra-curricular activities. The Schools also emphasise students' social development, with a number of graduates becoming important social figures.
The north and west blocks of the College are declared monuments of Hong Kong since August 2000.
[edit] Religion
Hong Kong respects religious freedom. Many notable churches are in the area, even though Christians only make up about 10% of the population. Man Mo temple is a popular site of worship that has been important to Hong Kong culture for centuries.
[edit] Roman Catholic Cathedral
The Immaculate Conception Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Hong Kong located at 16 Caine Road. The first Roman Catholic cathedral of Hong Kong was built in 1843 and destroyed in a fire in 1859. The Cathedral was designed by Crawlwey and Company of London. Construction of the new one started in 1883 and the first Mass was celebrated on December 7, 1888.
[edit] Union Church Hong Kong
Union Church Hong Kong is located at Kennedy Road in Mid-Levels, up the hill from Central and Admiralty, and next to where the Peak Tram bridge intersects with Kennedy Road. It is an international, interdenominational church which was established in Hong Kong in 1844. The first Union Church was built in 1845 on Hollywood Road. And then, in 1866, the Church relocated to a new site on Staunton Street. Until 1888, due to the church on the Staunton Street had become very crowded and it was moved to the current site on Kennedy Road. Union Church has a long history and during World War II, it was forced to be closed owing to the invasion of the Japanese.
[edit] Hop Yat Church
The church was founded in 1862 and located at No.2 Bonham Road. Hop Yat Church was formerly the Daoji Mission House. The union of all Christians in Mainland China made them established the Chinese Church in 1920. A new church was completed and named Hop Yat Church in 1926. The exterior wall has a memorial stone with an inscription of the year 1924.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Country Parks of Hong Kong (in Chinese)
- Hong Kong Central Hospital
- Hong Kong Tourism Board site
- Mid-Levels Photo Gallery
- Hong Kong Travel (in Chinese)
- Leisure and Cultural Services Department (Official Government site)
- Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
- Mid-levels pictures
- The Peak
- Union Church
