4.2
Kowloon
and
the New Territories
Note: This is a simplified map for reference only.
Kowloon East (Kwun Tong, Cha Kwo Ling, Kai Tak, To Kwa Wan, and etc.)
The Kowloon East waterfronts along Victoria Harbour include the Kai Tak Development Area (KTDA), centered around the former airport site, as well as Kwun Tong and Cha Kwo Ling waterfronts. These areas provide city dwellers with an easy escape to the seaside to enjoy life.
The Kowloon East waterfronts boast a range of unique attractions. At the Kwun Tong Promenade, the iconic crane tower and recycled paper bundle art installation pay homage to the area’s history as a former cargo working hub. Moreover, the columns under Kwun Tong Bypass have got a revamp with sets of giant murals of characters from different walks of life at different periods of Kowloon East, embracing the theme “Lift Up Kowloon East”. These artworks not only enhance the waterfront’s aesthetic appeal but also infuse public spaces with local culture and Hong Kong’s stories. At the easternmost edge of the Harbour, Lei Yue Mun exudes the charm of a traditional fishing village. Known for preserving its authentic lifestyle, it’s a popular spot for fresh seafood lovers. Since 2022, the Tourism Commission has been carrying out waterfront enhancement works in the area, including the beautification of existing observation decks and the construction of a new waterfront promenade, to provide a better tourist experience.
Kwun Tong & Cha Kwo Ling
Enhancing Overall Development Starting from Kwun Tong
The first phase of Kwun Tong Promenade opened to the public in January 2010. It’s the first recreational space project in the Kai Tak Development (KTD), creating a fresh new look for Kowloon East. The second phase subsequently opened in May 2015, fully connecting the entire Kwun Tong Promenade, which is approximately 1 km in length. Residents can enjoy close-up views of the KTDA and admire the stunning night views of Island East, capturing the scenery of Victoria Harbour and Lei Yue Mun. The vision is to create a continuous promenade stretching from To Kwa Wan, through Kai Tak, and connecting Kwun Tong and Cha Kwo Ling, providing diverse vistas while preserving community characteristics and energizing Kwun Tong and Kowloon East. Upon completion, visitors can stroll through picturesque waterhfront parks, dine, and enjoy a variety of seaside experiences.
Government Departments Taking Initiative to Release Waterfront Spaces Ahead of Schedule
In recent years, the Drainage Services Department (DSD) has expanded its scope beyond sewage treatment and stormwater drainage services. To create more livable communities, the DSD is undertaking three projects in Kwun Tong District: “Drainage Improvement Works in Kwun Tong”, “Revitalisation of Tsui Ping River”, and the “Tsui Ping Cross-River Footbridge”. These initiatives align with the Harbourfront Commission’s “incremental approach”. By completing the Tsui Ping River Footbridge ahead of schedule, Kwun Tong and Cha Kwo Ling are connected to create a continuous 1.7 km-long harbourfront. Additionally, a landscaped deck has been built above the Kwun Tong Sewage Pumping Station, forming part of the 1.8-hectare Cha Kwo Ling Promenade, which was opened in August 2023, providing Hong Kong residents with a quality recreational and leisure space.
Realisation of “Single Site, Multiple Use” Concept Through Enhancement Works for Kwun Tong Sewage Pumping Station
Drainage Services Department
Given the scarcity of land resources in Hong Kong, sewerage facilities may inevitably need to be provided near residential settlements. With “Not In My Back Yard” sentiments, nearby residents may raise objections from time to time out of concern about the adverse effect on the community caused by the perception and odour associated with these sewerage facilities. In view of this, the enhancement works for the Kwun Tong Sewage Pumping Station was implemented under the “Single Site, Multiple Use” concept to develop a landscaped deck openable to the public atop the roof of the sewage pumping station, with a view to covering the sewerage facility as well as minimising visual and odour nuisances to nearby areas. To echo with the Harbourfront Commission’s “incremental approach”, the Drainage Services Department advanced the completion of the restoration and beautification works for an approximately 130-metre-long and 0.7-hectare waterfront space outside the pumping station, which joins the landscaped deck to form the Cha Kwo Ling Promenade. The promenade provides a variety of play and fitness facilities for people of different ages and abilities, thereby enhancing the living quality of local residents.
Revitalising Existing Nullah and Enhancing District Connectivity
Drainage Services Department
Through environmental, ecological, and landscaping works, the Drainage Services Department has revitalised the King Yip Street nullah in Kwun Tong and transformed it into Tsui Ping River. With a history of more than 50 years, the approximately 1-kilometre-long nullah is located near residential settlements and industrial and commercial areas. The works would not only strengthen the flood protection capability of the nullah, but also enhance the connectivity of the watercourse with nearby areas, providing the public with precious riverside public space. The entire project was originally scheduled for completion in 2024, but the Drainage Services Department advanced the completion of Tsui Ping Seaside in August 2023 to dovetail with the opening of the Cha Kwo Ling Promenade. Together with the space released by the upgrading of the nearby Kwun Tong Preliminary Treatment Works, it connects an about 1.7-kilometre waterfront area that runs through Kwun Tong and Cha Kwo Ling, enhancing the overall connectivity of the Kwun Tong district and the accessibility of the Kowloon East waterfront.
Urban Retreat in Kowloon East
Energizing Kowloon East Office of Development Bureau
Kowloon East (KE) possesses the spectacular 11-kilometer-long waterfront which runs along the Kai Tak new development area and Kwun Tong business district. Since the announcement of the Energizing Kowloon East (EKE) initiatives in the 2019 Policy Address, KE has undergone significant transformation from the golden past of an industrial base into a thriving second core business district (CBD2) of Hong Kong. The Energizing Kowloon East Office (EKEO) of the Development Bureau has made tremendous efforts in revitalizing the waterfront area, making KE an attractive, vibrant and diverse CBD2.
EKEO has adopted a placemaking approach to transform the former public cargo handling area into a popular public open space – Kwun Tong Promenade. Through the "Fly the Flyover Operation", EKEO has successfully transformed the unpleasant and under-utilized spaces beneath Kwun Tong Bypass into three public venues alongside Kwun Tong Promenade, providing active event spaces for accommodating multi- purpose and 24/7 free public activities. To promote a walkable KE, a continuous KE harbourfront comprising Kwun Tong Promenade, Kai Tak Promenade and Cha Kwo Ling Promenade has been progressively developed in the past decade.
Bringing people to the harbourfront is another crucial EKE initiative. To create a green pedestrian river corridor in Kwun Tong, EKEO collaborated with Drainage Services Department to transform the capacity improvement work of King Yip Street Nullah into a revitalisation project to enhance the existing pedestrian environment and connect KE hinterland with the neighbouring promenades. To promote diverse water recreational uses and vibrancy of the harbourfront, EKEO also worked with Marine Department to promulgate the“Guidelines for Co-using KTTS”in April 2019 with a 100-meter vessel passageway created and reserved for water recreational activities in the typhoon shelter and Kai Tak Approach Channel.
Over the past decade, the overall connectivity of KE has continued to improve. The presence of the KE harbourfront contributes to the vibrancy of the area and supports the transformation of KE into an attractive CBD2 of Hong Kong.
Kai Tak
From Ex-airport to New Waterfront Community
The closure of the Kai Tak Airport opened up a prime opportunity to redevelop the former urban airport site, which covers an area over 320 hectares. In 2004, the government initiated a review of Kai Tak’s planning, which included three stages of public consultation to determine how best to utilize this vast land. Given the scale and complexity of the development, the Harbourfront Commission established a dedicated task force for Kai Tak’s waterfront development to provide guidance on related matters. Over the years, the new Kai Tak community is taking shape with unique characters.
Major Projects Taking Shape, Connecting More Waterfronts
The KTD plan is implemented in phases. Early projects include the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, which opened in 2013, and the first phase of Kai Tak Runway Park, launched in 2014, alongside the previously mentioned Kwun Tong Promenade. Since then, several significant projects have been implemented, marking a milestone in the development of the waterfront, such as the Kai Tak Promenade (Hong Kong Children’s Hospital Section), Kai Tak Sky Garden, Kai Tak Station Square (Phases 1 and 2), and Kai Tak Avenue Park. Together, these projects provide over 17 hectares of recreational space, featuring open plazas and expansive lawns, and other diverse facilities for both local residents and the general public. Additionally, the public recreational space built by private developers on the former Kai Tak Runway, known as Kai Tak Promenade, has been gradually opening to the public since 2022.
With Victoria Harbour to the west and the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter to the east, both sides of the promenades are uniquely appealing on their own ways. Once completely open, the Kai Tak waterfront will significantly extend the total the length of the waterfront promenade, linking Kai Tak Sports Park and Kowloon City, among other nearby areas. It will also serve as a hub for future waterfront development, offering more water-friendly facilities such as coastal steps.
From Former Airport to Thriving Harbourfront
East Development Office under Civil Engineering and Development Department
For the past twenty-odd years, Kai Tak’s significant transformation has not only given a facelift to this coastal area, but also greatly improved the living quality of the public. Faced with the 320-hectare development scale of the project, the design team encountered challenges on various fronts in formulating, planning and taking forward the development of Kai Tak. The challenges included the need to consider the planning principle of “zero reclamation”, heritage conservation, and enhancement of Kai Tak’s connectivity with adjacent areas in planning. Meanwhile, the team also needed to solicit support from the Task Force on Kai Tak Harbourfront Development under the Harbourfront Commission, the district council and the general public. It also needed to formulate a set of clear and practical design guidelines for private developers to develop public promenades so as to ensure the continuity and consistency of the overall landscape of the Kai Tak harbourfront. To implement the Kai Tak Development more effectively, the Kai Tak Office was set up under the Civil Engineering and Development Department to co-ordinate inter-departmental work and enhance communication and interaction with the public so as to realise public expectations concerning the development of Kai Tak. In particular, the 1.4-kilometre-long Kai Tak Sky Garden, which was opened in 2021, is Hong Kong’s first large garden built on noise barriers. While minimising noise pollution, the garden provides approximately 2-hectare green space where the general public can enjoy a panoramic view of Victoria Harbour. The Sky Garden also features pedestrian walkway connecting various tourist attractions running through Kai Tak, making it an attraction for leisure and tourism.
As part of the “Energizing Kowloon East” initiative, the Kai Tak development plays a pivotal role in advancing the economic development of Hong Kong. With the completion of more development projects, it is hoped that this precious piece of urban land can make the public proud.
Hong Kong’s Harbourfront Destination for Sports, Entertainment, and Leisure
Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau
Set to open in 2025, Kai Tak Sports Park as a new iconic harbourfront destination of Hong Kong is on track to be a premier, vibrant hub for the best of sports, entertainment, and leisure. The centrepiece of Kai Tak Sports Park, designed as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, is the 50,000-seat Main Stadium for thrilling sports games, complemented by other purpose-built facilities and public open spaces for locals and visitors to enjoy play or sports away from the city’s hustle.
Over 14 hectares of open spaces in Kai Tak Sports Park have been thoughtfully designed, providing additional leisure hotspots that are accessible to all. The Kai Tak Sports Avenue will serve as a north-south axis to form a pedestrian network within the sports precinct. Besides the Main Stadium, it connects also two other major sports venues, the Indoor Sports Centre and the Youth Sports Ground. Adjacent to the Main Stadium are two open-air event spaces (i.e. the one-hectare Event Village for concerts and exhibitions alike, and a shaded Main Plaza well-suited for all weather events. In the southern precinct, visitors will be captivated by the scenic skyline views from lookout points at various elevations, including the harbourfront promenade, the Dining Cove features amazing gourmet and casual dining options, and an amphitheatre for outdoor performances, both are backdropped by our beloved harbour. There will also be a Neighbourhood Park in the northeastern precinct, where visitors will find a scenic jogging trail, children’s playground and lush greenery, all harmoniously blending in with the Park’s facilities and amenities.
In recent years, Victoria Harbour has been given a facelift with a series of enhancement projects that diversify the land use around the city’s prime seaside locations. Joining the Kowloon skyline that features the art and cultural quarter in West Kowloon, and facing the bustling commercial district on Hong Kong Island, the Kai Tak Sports Park is set to be another landmark for Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong as an international metropolis while celebrating the spirit of sports.
To Kwa Wan
A Waterfront Interwoven with History and Modernity
To Kwa Wan, situated between Hung Hom waterfront and Kai Tak waterfront, is an old district filled with residential, commercial and industrial buildings. The structures along the waterfront is a reflection of the area’s historical development and unique characteristics.
The Kowloon City Vehicular Ferry Pier, a vital transportation facility before the opening of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, is now listed as a Grade II historic building. Stepping into the Hoi Sham Park, visitors can appreciate the “Hoi Sham Stone”, “Hoi Sham Pavilion”, “Fish Tail Rock”, and coastal natural landscapes, all offering a unique charm. Moving closer to Hung Hom, visitors will notice a giant 12-metre-tall mural of the Drainage Services Department’s mascot Drainy at the To Kwa Wan waterfront facing Victoria Harbour. Originally a drainage facility, this area has been transformed into a new leisure space and popular photo spot in the district.
Connecting Waterfront Promenade for Public Enjoyment
Drainage Services Department
The waterfront promenade at the To Kwa Wan Preliminary Treatment Works was originally a maintenance and emergency vehicular access. The Drainage Services Department has converted and beautified this waterfront section into a waterfront promenade for public use. Spanning about 140 metres, this converted waterfront promenade was designed to revitalise water bodies as well as greening the sewage treatment facility, with a view to promoting the concept of “Blue-Green Infrastructure”. After its opening, the promenade connected with the adjacent Hoi Sham Park promenade to the north to form a harbour space with a total length of around 880 metres. Members of the public can walk to the Kowloon City Ferry Pier along the promenade.
Hung Hom
Since the mid-20th century, the government has actively developed the Kowloon Peninsula, including residential and transportation infrastructure in Hung Hom and Hung Hom Bay. As more people live and work in Hung Hom, the area has become a bustling hub with convenient transportation. Consequently, public demand for recreational spaces and better connectivity to other urban districts has been increasing day by day. This is precisely an opportunity to make good use of the Hung Hom waterfront land and develop it into public open spaces. Furthermore, Hung Hom’s southeastern location on the Kowloon Peninsula offers unique geographical advantages, providing stunning views of Victoria Harbour, looking east towards Lei Yue Mun and west towards Central’s core business district.
Collaboration Across Sectors to Connect the Harbourfronts of Hung Hom and Tsim Sha Tsui
The Hung Hom Promenade, located next to the Hung Hom Ferry Pier, and the extended section of the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade officially opened in September 2011, thanks to a collaborative effort among the government, district councils, the Harbourfront Commission, and various sectors. This 500-metre-long waterfront garden connected previously inaccessible sections of the Hung Hom waterfront, linking the Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom waterfronts. This connection extends the entire waterfront from the Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui to Laguna Verde in Hung Hom, with a total length of about 4.5 km, providing more spots for visitors to enjoy the harbour views and fireworks during holidays.
Incorporating Local Characteristics into the Hung Hom Urban Park
The land adjacent to the Hung Hom Ferry Pier was formerly used as a public transport interchange. Early planning by the Planning Department rezoned the area near Whampoa Garden and the ferry pier, along with inland sites, to “recreational use” to meet the need of local residents and other citizens. After the public transport interchange relocated in 2019, the government adopted a flexible management approach, opening the site for flexible public use as a versatile waterfront space for diverse activities, while gradually developing it into the Hung Hom Urban Park under the Civil Engineering and Development Department. The park began opening to the public in phases starting from February 2024.
To reflect its history as the Hung Hom Ferry Public Transport Interchange that served the community for nearly 30 years, the design of Hung Hom Urban Park incorporates a transportation theme. The park features a balance bike lane, a firefighting vehicle display area, an elder fitness garden, pavilions, lawns, and other supporting facilities, catering to users of all ages.
Tapping into Community Wisdom and Promoting “Place-making”
Harbour Office under Development Bureau
Over the years, the Harbourfront Commission has been taking forward the collaboration of the Government with various private or non-profit-making organisations in a bid to provide members of the public with more diverse leisure and recreational enjoyment by adopting diversified management modes and tapping into community creativity. To enhance the “place-making” approach for harbourfront development, the Harbour Office under the Development Bureau has granted part of the Hung Hom Urban Park to the Playright Children’s Play Association, a non-governmental organisation, on a short-term tenancy to operate “½ Playground”, a play space to provide diversified and inspirational play facilities and experience activities for children. Under the co-creation concept of “user-friendliness” adopted in the play space, children and community stakeholders were invited to participate in the process of creation. For example, they were invited to give their views on some of the layout plans, with a view to enhancing a sense of belonging among local residents. Besides, to promote the facilities to be provided and enable the public to experience the same, the Harbourfront Commission, the Harbour Office under the Development Bureau and the Playright Children’s Play Association made concerted efforts to organise Play events and Experiential Interactive Stations under the “Playright Pop-up ½ Playground” programme at the site on several occasions between end-2022 and end-2023, benefiting a total of over 11 000 participants. Through an array of activities, local demand could be better gauged. There were photos and texts to illustrate the origin, layout, development process and zoning arrangement in respect of the Park and the play space, with a view to promoting public interaction. Scheduled for official opening in 2025, “½ Playground” can draw more families to this harhourfront space, where they can enjoy parent-child bonding and fun against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour.
Tsim Sha Tsui
The Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, located at the southern end of the Kowloon Peninsula, is a famous tourist attraction in Hong Kong where culture, entertainment and commerce converge. It is also one of the ideal locations for enjoying panoramic views of Victoria Harbour. Tourists can enjoy a “zero-distance” view of Victoria Harbour’s world-renowned skyline along with other coastal landmarks on Hong Kong Island from the waterfront. At night, the dazzling lights and the “A Symphony of Lights”, a large-scale multimedia show illuminating the night sky, add vibrancy to the harbour scenery. In addition to the iconic Star Ferry Pier, the Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront features public piers and landing stages for sightseeing boat cruise, offering visitors different perspectives of the stunning Victoria Harbour.
Over the years, the development of the Tsim Sha Tsui Harbourfront has exemplified a model that combines arts and culture with commerce, managed collaboratively by public and private institutions. For instance, the Avenue of Stars is owned by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, but it has been managed, maintained, and preserved by a non-governmental organisation since 2004. From 2015 to 2019, the Avenue of Stars underwent renovation for enhanced aesthetics and functionality. The revamped promenade brings visitors closer to handprints of movie stars, reinforcing its role in promoting Hong Kong’s film art and culture.
World-class Harbourfront Landmark – Tsim Sha Tsui Harbourfront
Leisure and Cultural Services Department
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has been committed to providing quality recreation and cultural facilities along the Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront, thereby encouraging a healthy lifestyle and promoting sports, culture and arts. At present, the Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront has become one of the must-visit tourist attractions in Hong Kong, with the coastal areas being the most popular locations for watching firework displays over Victoria Harbour. Located on the Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre under the LCSD and the neighbouring Hong Kong Museum of Art and Hong Kong Space Museum form a remarkable hub for local culture and arts. Since the 1980s, the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade has been the best place for Hongkongers and tourists to visit. As an addition to the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, the Avenue of Stars, themed on Hong Kong movies, was launched in 2004. It has become a world-class landmark on the harbourfront since its launch 20 years ago.
Along with providing quality facilities along the Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront, the LCSD organises various major cultural activities every year, such as the Mid-Autumn and Chinese New Year lantern displays and Art@Harbour. It also assists other organisations in organising events, including the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, Harbour Race, Louis Vuitton Men’s Pre-Fall 2024 Show held at the Avenue of Stars last year, and the Red Carpet event of the annual Hong Kong Film Awards, adding to the festive atmosphere and vibrancy of the Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront.
Over the past 20 years, under the support of the Harbourfront Commission, the facilities and events of the Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront stay on top of international trends, keeping abreast of the times. The LCSD will continue to work with the Harbourfront Commission to enhance the facilities and organise more world-class mega events for the Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront on a continuous basis.
West Kowloon Cultural District
The West Kowloon Cultural District covers 40 hectares and is one of the world’s largest cultural and arts projects, integrating arts, education, and public spaces. In addition to cultural and artistic facilities, the district features an Art Park, a waterfront promenade, lush lawns, a seaside observation deck, and dining establishments. Its prime location offers visitors spectacular views of Victoria Harbour. Upon completion of all projects in the cultural district, it will provide approximately 23 hectares of public space and a 2 km-long, 20-metre-wide waterfront promenade.
“Interim Connections” Trial in Early Stages
Government and Citizens Join Hands to Build the Waterfront
With the efforts of the former Harbour-front Enhancement Committee, the first temporary waterfront promenade built on the current site of the West Kowloon Cultural District opened to the public in 2005. Located at the western end of the district, the temporary promenade spanned 2 hectares and featured the longest wooden boardwalk in Hong Kong at the time, stretching 400 metres long and 6 metres wide, along with thousands of handprint molds for the public to sign and leave their mark, symbolizing everyone’s participation in beautifying Victoria Harbour. The design and construction highlighted environmental sustainability, for examples, refurbished old park benches, eco-friendly wood for walkways, and recycled construction waste for concrete materials. This resource-efficient approach created an innovative and meaningful recreational space which invigorated Victoria Harbour.
Tai Kok Tsui
The Tai Kok Tsui harbourfront is celebrated as a popular spot for sunset photography. During dusk, the view of the sunset over Stonecutters Island is breathtakingly beautiful. Over the years, the waterfront promenade here has developed via several different models, such as private developers developing adjacent waterfront sections (the waterfront west of Hoi Fai Road) when developing relevant residential areas; and government departments developing amenities including parks and recreational spaces (the waterfront south of Hoi Fai Road and Cherry Street). Notably, to implement the “Single Site, Multiple Use” initiative, the Drainage Services Department built a dry weather flow interceptor at Cherry Street to address odor issues while providing diverse inclusive play facilities atop the structure. To connect the West Kowloon coastal area to Tai Kok Tsui, the Development Bureau and the Civil Engineering and Development Department plan to build a pedestrian walkway approximately 950 metres long next to the new Yau Ma Tei Public Cargo Working Area, linking the West Kowloon Cultural District to Tai Kok Tsui. The construction is expected to be completed by 2026.
Improving Water Quality of and Reducing Odour in Victoria Harbour
Drainage Services Department
Pollutants in the Cherry Street box culvert mainly originate from misconnections or leakages in upstream sewer pipes or stormwater drains. This has given rise to water quality and odour problems in New Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter. The Drainage Services Department completed the construction of the Cherry Street Dry Weather Flow Interceptor in the fourth quarter of 2022. This, together with continuous tracing and rectification of misconnection cases, could prevent pollutants at the source from entering the harbour. Through these measures, the environment in the vicinity of the typhoon shelter has been significantly improved. There are a total of 82 dry weather flow interceptors in the Victoria Harbour Water Control Zone (including the interception facilities at Jordan Valley Box Culvert completed in Kai Tak in 2013), significantly improving the coastal water quality along Victoria Harbour.
Cheung Sha Wan
For years, the coastal areas of Sham Shui Po District were primarily used for shipyards, warehouses, and other industrial operations, limiting residents’ access to the waterfront. Recent residential and commercial developments along the coast have provided an opportunity to build new generation of waterfront promenades and quality leisure spaces. There are two waterfront promenade projects on Lai Ying Street in Cheung Sha Wan, both built by private developers. The Cheung Sha Wan Promenade, adjacent to a residential project, is managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and fully opened in July 2023. It’s the first waterfront space in Sham Shui Po District. The promenade adjacent to a hotel project is managed by relevant developer and opened in April 2024. With scenic views, dining and retail outlets, and revitalized idle piers featuring unique wave-shaped canopy designs, the new waterfront spaces are expected to bring residents to the harbour to enjoy the sea views.
Tsuen Wan & Tsing Yi
Tsuen Wan and Tsing Yi are new towns in the New Territories, separated by the Rambler Channel. The channel forms an inverted “L” shape, with Ting Kau and Ma Wan Channel to the west, and Kwai Tsing and Stonecutters Island to the south. Visitors to the waterfront promenades along both sides of the channel can enjoy ever-changing landscapes. Whether it’s the lights of countless homes from Tsuen Wan and Tsing Yi, the magnificent sunset over Ting Kau Bridge, and even the key business landmarks along the Central waterfront, all can be taken in a glance. The Rambler Channel is considered one of the best spots to enjoy the sunset scenery, making the Tsuen Wan and Tsing Yi waterfront promenades not only leisure oases for residents but also attractions for visitors from other districts. The promenades are regularly upgraded, with improved facilities and enhancements catering to local needs to foster regional characteristics.
Tsuen Wan
Pioneering the Fence-free Design
The Enhancement of the Tsuen Wan Waterfront (Phase I) project, completed in April 2021, revitalised approximately 700 metres of waterfront land along Hoi On Road into a leisure harbourfront space. To bring visitors closer to the water, the project team removed the planters separating the waterfront from the pedestrian walkway and introduced a low kerb, fence-free design along a sloping sea wall while providing ample seating. This makes Tsuen Wan Waterfront the first location in Victoria Harbour to feature a fence-free design, offering unobstructed views of Rambler Channel and Tsing Yi Island while enhancing visitors’ connection to the water.
Waterfront Design Reflecting Local Characteristics
To foster community participation during the planning phase, the Harbourfront Commission and the Development Bureau engaged the Tsuen Wan District Council in 2017 on the “Tsuen Wan Promenade Placemaking Project”. Commission members and local DC members conducted multiple site visits, after which the Development Bureau invited the Hong Kong Institute of Planners to provide suggestions on waterfront design concepts. Newly introduced features such as eco-friendly wooden fences, unique seating, and shaded areas reflect Tsuen Wan's rich history in the textile industry, emphasizing local characteristics.
A Limited Edition Cartoon Village, Creating an Inclusive Harbourfront
The Development Bureau, under the “limited edition” concept, introduced placemaking initiatives to enhance visitors’ experience at the Tsuen Wan Waterfront. As a debut event of the waterfront enhancement, local creative group Postgal Workshop has built the “Din Dong Happy Village by the Harbour” featuring the cartoon character Din Dong, and has specifically installed railing tables along the harbourfront balustrades and moveable chess tables along the low kerb. Visitors may hence put aside their belongings and cups and enjoy the harbour view in even more relaxing ways. Moreover, in order to create a more inclusive harbourfront,, the design team of Postgal Workshop collaborated with Beyond Vision Projects, a non-governmental organisation, to translate different graphic designs into tactile graphics so that, by simply navigating with their fingertips, the visually impaired may feel the vibrancy of the Tsuen Wan harbourfront.
Cross-District Cycling along the Harbourfront
Connecting Tsuen Wan to Tuen Mun
To enhance the approximately 80 km-long “New Territories Cycle Track Network”, which connects Ma On Shan to Tsuen Wan, the government opened the Tsuen Wan Waterfront section from Tsuen Wan Riviera Park to Bayview Garden in July 2021. The remaining cycle track linking Tsuen Wan to Tuen Mun will be implemented in phases, covering sections from Bayview Garden to Ting Kau, as well as areas outside the harbour connecting Ting Kau to Tuen Mun. This initiative aims to enable citizens to cycle across multiple districts, exercising while enjoying the scenic coastal views.
A Scenic New Territories Cycling Track Network (NTCTN) by the Harbour
Civil Engineering and Development Department
To enable the earliest public enjoyment of the proposed 80 km-long NTCTN connecting east to west of the New Territories, CEDD has adopted the strategy of “Starting with simpler tasks” to build the track by phases. After years of unrelenting efforts, we have fully commissioned the Tuen Ma Main Section since 2020 which is about 60 km-long. On the other hand, for the more challenging 20 km-long Tuen Tsuen Main Section in the pipeline, a section of 2.3 km-long at the eastern end along Tsuen Wan Promenade has now been available for use by the public, while the remaining cycle track between Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun will be implemented by stages.
In late 2022, we conducted an extensive public engagement exercise on the planning and design of the cycle track section between Tsuen Wan Bayview Garden and So Kwun Wat. Majority of the public and groups expressing the views were supportive of the proposed cycle tracks and expected the Government to complete these cycle track sections as soon as possible.
With the public support and expectation, we envision the NTCTN can create spaces to connect people with harbourfronts, hence enhancing the livability of our city.
Tsing Yi
Promenade Featuring Scenic Views of the Rambler Channel and Ting Kau Bridge
Formerly a shipyard, Tsing Yi Northeast Park was opened to the public in phases starting from May 2010. Covering an area of about 5.8 hectares, the park integrates various recreational facilities, including an 11-a-side artificial turf soccer pitch that can accommodate 200 spectators, two basketball and volleyball courts, a gateball court, a cycling track, a cycling track for children, a skateboard park, and a bicycle rental kiosk. It has become an ideal spot for Tsing Yi residents to exercise and relax. This picturesque promenade, nestled between mountains and the sea, offers stunning views of Ting Kau Bridge at sunset.
Tsing Yi Promenade is built along the northeastern coast of Tsing Yi, facing Rambler Channel and the Kwai Chung area. Spanning approximately 1,600 metres and covering around 6.2 hectares, it was fully opened in 2004. The park features facilities such as a circular plaza with a covered viewing platform and lawn areas. In the 2019 Policy Address, the government announced a plan to transform 170 public play spacesunder the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, including two children’s play spaces in Tsing Yi Promenade. The revamped play spaces embrace a “container terminal” theme, featuring colorful container-shaped climbing and sliding structures. These exciting facilities enhance children’s social interactions and highlight the local characteristics of Kwai Tsing’s container terminals. The Promenade’s Public Play Spaces Transformation Project (stage 1) was completed in January 2024 and is now open to the public.
Improving Water Quality of Victoria Harbour
Drainage Services Department
With the heavy concentration of people and high frequency of economic activities in Hong Kong, a comprehensive sewage treatment system is essential to public health and sustainable development. The Drainage Services Department provides world-class sewage treatment and stormwater drainage services, with a sewage treatment capacity of about 2.8 million cubic metres per day. To improve the water quality of Victoria Harbour, the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme (HATS), formerly known as the Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme, was launched in the late 1980s for phased implementation to collect and treat the sewage collected from the areas on both sides of the harbour. The systems under Stage 1 and Stage 2A were commissioned in 2001 and 2015 respectively. The Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works under the HATS can treat a total of 2.45 million cubic metres of sewage from either side of Victoria Harbour every day, removing pollutants from water and carrying out disinfection before discharging through an outfall. This has significantly improved the water quality of Victoria Harbour, thereby creating a cleaner and more pleasant harbourfront environment for members of the public.
