Wan Chai
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/* Tourism and landmarks */
[[Image:Wan Chai location map.svg|right|thumb|300px|Location of Wan Chai within HKSAR]]
{{otheruses|Wan Chai (disambiguation)}}{{Chinese|pic=Wanchaifromthesea.jpg|picsize=250px|piccap=Wan Chai as seen from the [[Victoria Harbour]]|c=灣仔|i=waːn<sub>55</sub> tsɐi<sub>35</sub>|j=waan1 zai2|p=Wānzaǐ|l="small bay" or "cove"|showflag=j}}
'''Wan Chai''' is a metropolitan area situated at the western part of the [[Wan Chai District]] in northern [[Hong Kong Island]], in [[Hong Kong]], [[China]]. Its boundaries are [[Canal Road, Hong Kong|Canal Road]] in the east, [[Arsenal Street]] in the west and [[Bowen Road]] in the south. The area north of [[Gloucester Road, Hong Kong|Gloucester Road]] is often called '''Wan Chai North'''. Wan Chai is one of the busiest commercial areas in Hong Kong with many small to medium-sized companies. Wan Chai North features office towers, parks, hotels and an international conference centre. As one of the first areas developed in Hong Kong, the locale is highly-populated yet with noticeable residential zones facing [[urban decay]]. Arousing much public concern, the government has put an effort in [[urban renewal|district regeneration]] in recent years. There are many unique buildings and [[List of buildings, sites, and areas in Hong Kong#List of skyscrapers|skyscrapers]], the most notable ones being the [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre]] (HKCEC), [[Central Plaza, Hong Kong|Central Plaza]] and [[Hopewell Centre, Hong Kong|Hopewell Centre]].
==Names==
Wan Chai originally began as '''Ha Wan''' (下環), literally meaning "a bottom ring" or "lower circuit".<ref name="Wordie">Wordie, Jason. [2002] (2002) Streets: Exploring Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press. ISBN 962-2095631</ref> As one of the earliest developed areas in Hong Kong. [[Central, Hong Kong|Central]], [[Sheung Wan]], [[Sai Wan]] and Wan Chai are collectively known as the ''four rings'' (四環) by the locals. Wan Chai literally means "a cove" in [[Cantonese (linguistics)|Cantonese]], but the area itself is no longer a cove due to drastic city development and continual [[land reclamation]].
==History==
[[Image:Wanchai60s.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The coastline of Wan Chai the early [[1960]]s]]
[[Image:Protesters occupied the Gloucester Road.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Protest zones were setup in Wan Chai for the international [[WTO Ministerial Conference of 2005|2005 WTO conference]]]]
Wan Chai was first home to the many Chinese villagers living along the undisturbed coastlines in proximity to [[Hung Shing Temple]]. Most of them were fishermen, who worked around the area near Hung Shing Temple overlooking the entire harbour. As the God of the Sea, [[Hung Shing Ye]] was one of the symbols worshiped by the locals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thaiworldview.com/hongkong/hkisland/wanchai2.htm|title=Wan Chai|publisher=Thaiworldview|date=[[1998-01-01]]|accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref>
When the [[British Empire|British]] arrived in [[History of Colonial Hong Kong (1800s - 1930s)|Colonial Hong Kong]], Wan Chai began modernizing in the 1840s as a high-class commercial centre.<ref name="Wordie" /> [[Spring Garden Lane|Spring Gardens]] was one of the focal points of development. By the 1850s the area was already becoming a Chinese residential area.<ref name="Wordie" /> There were dockyards in [[Ship Street, Hong Kong|Ship Street]] and [[McGregor Street]] for building and repairing ships. The edge of [[Sun Street]], [[Moon Street]] and [[Star Street (Hong Kong)|Star Street]] is the original site of the first power station in Hong Kong, operated by the [[Hongkong Electric|Hongkong Electric Company]], which began supplying power in 1890.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hec.com.hk/hehWeb/MajorGroupCompanies/TheHongKongElectricCompanyLimited/Generation/Index_en.htm|title=Hong Kong electric company generation|publisher=Hong Kong Electric|date=[[2007-07-27]]|accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref> One of the first water-front military hospitals was the [[Seaman's Hospital|Seaman's hospital]] built in 1843 as part of the [[HMS Tamar (shore station)|Royal Naval Dockyard]] for the [[Royal Navy|British Royal Navy]]. It was later revitalized as the [[Ruttonjee Hospital|Ruttonjee hospital]].<ref name="davis">{{cite web|url=http://www.pdavis.nl/RN_Hosp.htm|title=Hong Kong royal navy|publisher=private website citing ''Harland, Kathleen'', ''The Royal Navy in Hong Kong since 1841'', Maritime Books, Liskeard, Cornwall, undated; and ''Melson, Commodore P.J.'', ''White ensign - red dragon'', Edinburgh Financial Publishing, Hong Kong|date=[[1997-01-01]]|accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref>
Several renowned schools were located in Wan Chai in the past. One of these was established by the famous traditional teacher, [[Mo Dunmei]] (莫敦梅). Started as a ''[[shushu]]'' (書塾) in 1919, the school was renamed [[Dunmei School]] (敦梅學校) in 1934.<ref name="hku.hk">{{cite web|url=http://www.hku.hk/sociodep/oralhistory/2/2.2.2.4.html|title=Hong Kong Dunmei school history|publisher=Hong Kong university|date=[[2007-01-01]]|accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref><ref name="oralhistory" /> It taught [[classical Chinese]] writings and [[Confucianism|Confucian]] ethics.
During the [[Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong|Japanese occupation]] in the 1940s, many bombardments took place. Stories of [[cannibalism]], [[starvation]], [[torture]] and abuses by Japanese soldiers, and child labourers were told. Senior residents recall vividly how they survived the hardships.<ref name="oralhistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.hku.hk/hkcsp/oral_wanchai.html|title=The Hong Kong Oral History Archives Project|publisher=University of Hong Kong Centre of Cultural studies|date=[[2007-01-01]]|accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref> The Dunmei school was closed during the Japanese occupation period. After the war, the school continued to provide Chinese education for children from families of higher income.<ref name="hku.hk" />
During the [[1950s in Hong Kong|1950s]] the [[Communist Party of China|pro-Communist]] underground cell network Hailiushe (海流社) was headquartered in the rooftop of a multi-story house on [[Spring Garden Lane]]. The group was successfully raided by the [[Hong Kong Police Force|Hong Kong police]].<ref>Fung, Chi Ming, [2005] Reluctant Heroes: Rickshaw Pullers in Hong Kong and Canton, 1874-1954. ISBN 9622097340</ref>
[[Prostitution]] is one of the oldest occupations in Wan Chai. There are numerous historical western accounts of women trading sex for western merchandise as soon as sailors got off the trading ships.<ref>Shi, Shuqing. Lin, Sylvia Li-chun. Goldblatt, Howard. [2005] (2005). City of the Queen: A Novel of Colonial Hong Kong. Columbia university press. ISBN 0231134568.</ref> In the [[1960s in Hong Kong|1960s]], Wan Chai became legendary for its exotic [[night life]], especially for the [[United States Army|US service men]] resting there during the [[Vietnam war]].<ref name="Wordie" /> Despite rapid changes due to reclamation and redevelopment, the presence of sex workers operating among ordinary residents continue to be a distinct feature of the area. Some of the lifestyle has been illustrated in the past in movies such as ''[[The World of Suzie Wong (film)|The World of Suzie Wong]]''.<ref>Eric Cavaliero, [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=32891&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=19970703&sear_year=1997Changing face of Wan Chai], [[The Standard]], July 03, 1997</ref>
Wan Chai's [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre|HKCEC]] was the site of the [[Hong Kong handover ceremony]] in 1997. The [[WTO Ministerial Conference of 2005|WTO Ministerial Conference]] in 2005 was also one of the largest international events ever hosted in Hong Kong, with 148 nations participating.
==Reclamations==
[[Image:Wanchaireclamation.gif|thumb|300px|The changes of Wan Chai's coastline from [[1842]] to [[1997]]]]
Wan Chai has been extended outward with a series of [[land reclamation]] schemes. Early in 1841, where the earliest coastline was located at Queen's Road East, the first reclamation took place. The project was privately funded and the government did not take part. There was no name associated with the first project.<ref name="amogov">{{cite web|url=http://www.amo.gov.hk/form/AAB_Paper129_queen_annexb_e.pdf|title=A historical and architectural appraisal of Queen's Pier central|publisher=Amo gov hk|date=[[2007-01-01]]|accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref> The next reclamation that had an effect on Wan Chai was the [[Praya East Reclamation Scheme]]. The coastline was extended to [[Praya|Praya East]], that is, today's [[Johnston Road]] and [[Hennessy Road]]. The reclamation after [[World War II]] from [[1965]] to [[1972]] pulled the coastline out to the areas around [[Convention Avenue]] and the [[Wan Chai Pier]]. The 1990s [[Central and Wan Chai Reclamation#Wan Chai Development Project|Wan Chai Development project]] added land to where the current [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre|HKCEC]] exists today.
==Community life==
[[Image:Hk-bookfair2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Book fair inside the [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre]]]]
===Arts & Culture===
Wan Chai is a major foreign and Chinese cultural hub in Hong Kong. It is home to [[Alliance Francaise]], [[Goethe Institut]] and the [[British Council]]. Near the waterfront are the [[Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts]] and [[Hong Kong Arts Centre]], two of the most popular venues for theatrical and cultural performances in the region. The academy is a convenient venue for [[drama]]s, [[concert|mini-concert]]s, [[dance]]s, and [[musical theater|musicals]]. Every year there are many [[Broadway musical]]s playing in the academy, including Western plays such as ''[[Singin' in the Rain (film)|Singin' in the Rain]]'', ''[[Saturday Night Fever]]'', and ''[[Annie]]''. The Art Centre also houses a few galleries, rehearsal rooms, and restaurants promoting the view of the harbour. The [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre]] (HKCEC), a [[Hong Kong dollar|HK$]]4.8 billion convention centre extension completed in [[1997]], covers over 16 acres (65,000 m²) of newly reclaimed land that added an extra 38,000 m² of functional space to the existing convention centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200506/16/06160199.htm|title=Government gives policy support to TDC's atrium link extension proposal|publisher=HK Government|date=[[2005-06-16]]|accessdate=2007-07-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr00-01/english/panels/ci/papers/552e04.pdf|title=Letterhead of Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention organiser's and supplier's association|publisher=HK Legislative Council|date=[[2001-01-12]]|accessdate=2007-07-31}}</ref> It remains a venue for international trade fairs, some of which are the biggest in the world. The July annual [[Hong Kong Book Fair]] along with [[cosplay]] competitions are also held at the facilities.
===Dining===
[[Image:DSCN1968.JPG|thumb|right|200px|''Lung Mun'', an old-styled Cantonese restaurant]]
* [[Cha chaan teng|Cha chaan teng]] are local-styled [[fast-food restaurant]]s, selling [[Hong Kong-styled Milk Tea|milk tea]] and [[Chinese bakery|Chinese pastry]]. Many of the restaurants can be found all along Jaffe Road. Numerous [[Hong Kong tea culture|tea shop]]s offer cheap [[herbal tea|Chinese herbal tea]], like [[Chinese herb tea|leong cha]] (''lit.'' cool tea) and [[24 flavors|24-mei]].
* [[Dai pai dong]], open-air restaurants in a big tent, is another classic restaurant type that appeared in Wan Chai. Despite the often unclean and uncomfortable eating conditions, many people are attracted to the freshly-made [[Rice noodle roll|steamed rice roll]], [[congee]] and [[chow mein]] early in the morning. Due to [[urban renewal]] projects in recent years, most of these restaurants are fading away.
* [[Yum Cha|Yum cha]], is the name associated with having [[dim sum]]. People usually have "one bowl with two pieces" (一盅兩件, meaning a cup of tea with two dim sums) for breakfast. There were three old-styled dims restaurants remaining in Wan Chai, namely ''Lung Mun'', ''Lung To'', and ''Lung Tuen''. ''Lung Mun'' is the only one still operating. A number of [[Buddhist cuisine|Buddhist cuisine restaurants]] are also available in the area.
* The [[1980s in Hong Kong|1980s]] also saw an expansion of [[Cuisine of Hong Kong#Western Styles|Western cuisine restaurants]] in Wan Chai. Nowadays, [[Japanese cuisine|Japanese]], [[Korean cuisine|Korean]], [[Vietnamese cuisine|Vietnamese]], [[Thai cuisine|Thai]] and [[Indian cuisine|Indian]] restaurants are all very common. There are also many [[fast food restaurant]]s serving [[Cantonese cuisine|Cantonese]] and other Chinese dishes, including the franchised [[Maxim's Catering|Maxim's]] and [[Café de Coral]]. Jaffe Road and Lockhart Road are famous for pubs.
===Southorn activities===
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:Southorn playground.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Southorn Playground]] basketball court {{deletable image-caption|1=Sunday, 16 December 2007}}]] -->
[[Southorn Playground]] is a major landmark in Hong Kong, particularly to the senior residents. It is a place associated with entertainment as well as work, with its atmosphere changing throughout the day. In the morning, [[coolie|labourers]] come together to wait for employment. In the evening, it is altered into an open-air area with people selling food, performing [[Magic (illusion)|magic]] and [[kung fu]].
Some of the trademark activities include senior citizens playing [[Xiangqi|Chinese chess]]. The younger generation would play [[soccer|football]] and [[basketball]] with street basketball games attracting flocks of young spectators and players. Occasionally, three-player drill contests and [[hip hop dance]] competitions are held in the park.
===Religious diversity===
[[Image:Hk wan chai old temple 1.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Hung Shing Temple]]]]
Wan Chai offers a wide range of religion like [[Buddhism]], [[Taoism]], [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholicism]], [[Protestantism]], [[Christianity]], [[Sikhism]] and [[Islam]]. Despite such great differences, many religious structures are located in close proximity with one another. [[Hung Shing Temple]], for example, is a typically [[Taoist]] temple. Inside, there are [[Buddhist]] [[Kwun Yum]] chapels next to the main altar. People coming to worship [[Hung Shing Ye]] could also burn [[joss stick]]s to Kwun Yum as well. [[Villain hitting]] is another blended ceremony, combining the disproportional [[Confucianism]], [[Taoism]] and even [[Chinese folk religion|folk religion]]. Some old female "psychics" perform this ancient ceremony under the [[Canal Road Flyover]] in particular days of a lunar month. The Wan Chai [[Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple]] is the biggest [[Gurdwara|Sikh temple]] in Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thaiworldview.com/hongkong/hkisland/wanchai.htm|title=Wan Chai1|publisher=Thaiworldview|date=[[1998-01-01]]|accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref>
==Tourism and landmarks==
[[Image:GoldenBauhiniaSquare.jpg|thumb|200px|The [[Golden Bauhinia Square]] at night]]
[[Image:DSCN1960.JPG|thumb|200px|right|Cheap computer equipment available at Wanchai Computer Centre]]
===Tourism and landmarks===
Wan Chai offers historical conservation spots including [[Old Wan Chai Post Office]], [[Hung Shing Temple]] and [[Pak Tai Temple]]. Many of the medium-sized shopping centres are named in numerals, such as Oriental 188, 328, and 298 Computer Centre. The numbers may come from the earlier days when prostitution houses were all numbered, and referred to as "big numbers" (大冧巴, dai lum bah).<ref name="Wordie" /> There are also many commercial complexes and skyscrapers. The [[Hong Kong dollar|HK$]]4.4 billion 78-story skyscraper [[Central Plaza, Hong Kong|Central Plaza]] currently stand as the second tallest in Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://courses.arch.hku.hk/IntgBuildTech/cases/centplaz/centplaz.htm|title=Wan Chai central plaza architecture|publisher=Hong Kong university|date=[[2007-01-01]]|accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref> The apex of Central Plaza is designed as a unique neon tower clock. It consists of four neon [[spandrel]] bands, each representing 15 minutes, and the colour changes from top to bottom. When the four bands are of the same colour, an hour has passed. More than an innovative clock, ''"Lightime"'' has become a new symbol the same way [[Eiffel Tower]] reminds people of [[Paris]]. Small but free art exhibitions are on also the second floor year round. Other tourist attractions include [[Golden Bauhinia Square]] featuring a flag-raising ceremony held daily outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The ceremony is enhanced on July 1 ([[Transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong|handover anniversary]]) and October 1 ([[National Day of the People's Republic of China|National Day]]).
[[Image:Wan_Chai.jpg|thumb|center|640px|View of [[Wan Chai]] at night from [[Stubbs Road]], also showing [[Central Plaza]] on the right]]
A 3-story [[pergola]] exhibit is built opposite to [[Li Chit Garden]]. [[Tai Fat Hau]] footbridge also holds an art display of 30,000 citizens' fingerprints slated for the ''[[Guinness Book of World Records]]''.<ref name="ewanchai">{{cite web|url=http://www.epochtimes.com/b5/1/1/4/n29855.htm|title=天橋畫廊砌出灣仔五十景|publisher=Epochtimes|date=[[2001-01-04]]|accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref> The sticker pictures on the 50 poles of the bridge are roughly called the ''"50 landscapes of Wan Chai"'' (灣仔五十景).<ref name="ewanchai" />
[[Bowen Road#Lovers' Rock|Lovers' Rock]] reclines on the hillside of [[Bowen Road]] near [[Shiu Fai Terrace]] and looks like a stone pen sticking out of a stone base. This special looking rock is said to have granted happy marriages to devoted worshippers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gohk.gov.hk/eng/welcome/wc/wc_info_wc10.html|title=Lover's Rock|publisher=Go hk gov|date=[[2007-01-01]]|accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref> Many people are attracted by its reputation.
==Buildings and constructions==
[[Image:DSCN1981.JPG|thumb|200px|Old-fashioned shops in Wan Chai are typical examples of [[Lingnan culture|Lingnan architecture]], comparable to those found in [[Guangzhou]] and [[Taipei]]. Attached to the second story from the pavement, numerous pillars were built in front of the closed stores.]]
[[Image:DSCN1975.JPG|thumb|200px|Banners brandished all over [[Lee Tung Street]] against the demolishing action of the government]]
[[Image:Central a.jpg|thumb|200px|The floor plan of the [[Central and Wan Chai Reclamation]]]]
===Architecture===
Throughout Wan Chai's history, construction styles have changed according to the architectural movement at the time.
{|class="wikitable"
! width=10% | Era
! width=30% | Style
! width=30% | Examples
|-
|[[Qing Dynasty]] || [[Chinese architecture|Chinese-style]] ||[[Hung Shing Temple#Wan Chai|Hung Shing Temple]]
|-
| 1910s-1920s || [[Neoclassical architecture]] ||[[Old Wan Chai Post Office]]<p>[[Blue House (Hong Kong)|Blue House]]
|-
| 1930s || [[Streamline Moderne|Streamline Moderne architecture]] ||[[Wan Chai Market]]
|-
| Post-WWII || [[Bauhaus|Bauhaus-style]] ||Shop houses on [[Lee Tung Street]], [[Tai Yuen Street]]<br><br>[[Caltex House]]
|-
|}
In the [[1950s in Hong Kong|1950s]] and [[1960s in Hong Kong|1960s]], an increasing number of [[bar (establishment)|girlie bar]]s and [[nightclub]]s were opened in the [[red-light district]] by [[Jaffe Road|Jaffe]] and [[Lockhart Road]]. The establishments entertained visiting sailors landing at [[Fenwick Pier]]. Beyond Gloucester Road is the commercial area developed in the late 1970s and 1980s, a time at which Hong Kong underwent economic development at full speed. At the same time, buildings like the [[Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts]], [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre|HKCEC]], and [[Central Plaza]] were constructed on the newly reclaimed land.
===Urban decay and renewal===
Many of Wan Chai's older buildings now face a serious problem of [[urban decay]]. In order to tackle the problem, the government has launched a series of [[urban renewal]] projects to bring new life into the area. Many local residents have relocation worries such as whether the [[Urban Renewal Authority]] can compensate enough to put them in a new space of equal size. Other concerns involve the loss of building character that make up part of that [[Culture of Hong Kong|Hong Kong cultural identity]].
* '''''Demolition of Lee Tung St''''' - Old buildings on [[Lee Tung Street]] are scheduled for demolition. Many businesses have shut down or moved out. Today, most stores have signs on their gate proclaiming "This is an [[Urban Renewal Authority]] Property".
* '''''Renovation of Tai Yuen St''''' - Visitors may gain a distinctive experience of bustling local street-stall shopping in [[Tai Yuen Street]]. Many [[huckster]] stalls sell a wide variety of [[Food preservation|dried goods]], garments, household products, [[dumpling]]s, and [[Chinese herbal medicine]]. This predominantly tourist attraction area is a place where old houses and modern mansions mingle, creating an interesting disparity.
* '''''Renewal of Southorn Playground''''' — In partnership with the [[Wan Chai District Council]], the [[British Council|British Council Hong Kong]] invited English designer, [[Thomas Heatherwick]], and urban renewal specialist, [[Fred Manson]], to lead a public art project at [[Southorn Playground]].
===Central and Wan Chai reclamation===
{{main|Central and Wan Chai Reclamation}}
After the completion of the Central and Wan Chai Reclamation Feasibility Study in [[1989]], the Land Development Policy Committee endorsed the idea of an ongoing series of reclamation.<ref name="cwr">{{cite web|url=http://www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/about/achievements/regional/regi_central.htm|title=Central and Wan Chai Reclamation|publisher=Hong Kong civil engineering and development department|date=[[2007-06-27]]|accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref> The reclamation comprises three district development cells separated by parks, namely, Central, Tamar and Exhibition. Each cell was further divided into five phases.
==Transportation==
Geographically, Wan Chai is the midpoint between the west ([[West Point, Hong Kong|West Point]]/[[Central, Hong Kong|Central]]) and the east ([[Causeway Bay]]/[[North Point]]), linking all points on [[Hong Kong Island]]. The [[Transport in Hong Kong|transport infrastructure]] is efficient, convenient and highly accessible.
[[Image:Wan_Chai_Pier_Transport.jpg|thumb|center|500px|A panorama view of [[Wan Chai Pier]] Transportation Interchange]]
===Ferries===
[[Star Ferry]] is the sole ferry operator in the area at [[Wan Chai Pier]]. Several lines cross [[Victoria Harbour]] from [[HKCEC]], Wan Chai. Destinations include [[Cultural Centre]] in [[Tsim Sha Tsui]] and [[Whampoa Garden]] in [[Hung Hom]]. Even though there are now numerous ways to cross Victoria Harbour, the Star Ferry continues to provide an inexpensive option.
[[Image:Gloucester Road.JPG|thumb|200px|[[Gloucester Road, Hong Kong|Gloucester Road]] in Wan Chai]]
===Main roads and tunnels===
Wan Chai's [[Gloucester Road, Hong Kong|Gloucester Road]] is connected to [[Cross-Harbour Tunnel]], the first underwater tunnel in Hong Kong.<ref>Bray, Denis. [2001] (2001). Hong Kong Metamorphosis. Hong Kong University Press. ISBN 962209550X.</ref> Bridging [[Hong Kong Island]] at [[Kellet Island]] and a reclaimed site at [[Hung Hom Bay]] in [[Kowloon]], the tunnel provides a direct link. Prior to the tunnel's opening in [[1972]], crossing the harbour depended solely on the Star ferries.<ref>Harper, Damian. [2005] (2005). China. Lonely Planet. ISBN 1740596870</ref> Linking the main financial districts on both sides of Victoria Harbour, the tunnel carries 123,000 vehicles daily.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/transport.pdf|title=Hong Kong, the Facts transport|publisher=Hong Kong government|date=[[2007-04-01]]|accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref> Other roads such as [[Queen's Road|Queen’s Road East]] have been one of the earliest development spots in the history of Hong Kong. Landmarks such as [[Hennessy Road]] were named after previous [[Governor of Hong Kong|Governors]], leaving an impression of its Colonial past.
*[[Aberdeen Tunnel]]
*[[Canal Road, Hong Kong|Canal Road]] flyover
*[[Gloucester Road, Hong Kong|Gloucester Road]]
*[[Fleming Road]]
*[[Wan Chai Road]]
[[Image:MTR Wan Chai station (1).jpg|thumb|220px|[[Wan Chai (MTR)|Wan Chai MTR Station]]]]
[[Image:DSCN1965.JPG|thumb|200px|A Wan Chai street filled with [[Buses in Hong Kong|buses]] and [[Taxicabs of Hong Kong|taxis]]]]
===Mass Transit Railway===
The main [[MTR]] railway is beneath [[Hennessy Road]] in the locality. Due to the large area of Wan Chai, more than 50 entry/exit gates and 8 entrances/exits are set up. One of the entrances/exits is on the footbridge along [[O'Brien Road]], which leads to [[Immigration Tower]] in Wan Chai North.
*'''[[MTR]]''': [[Island Line, MTR|Island Line]] — [[Wan Chai (MTR)|Wan Chai]]
===Trams===
Tram services are available between [[Shau Kei Wan]] on the east of the island, and [[Kennedy Town]] on the west, with a branch circuit in [[Happy Valley, Hong Kong|Happy Valley]]. The route serves [[Johnston Road]] and [[Hennessy Road]].
===Buses===
Most buses travel in Wan Chai from [[Admiralty]] to [[Causeway Bay]] via [[Hennessy Road]], whereas one would use [[Johnston Road]] or Gloucester Road as detours.
*'''Bus routes''':
**'''[[New World First Bus]]''': 2, 2A, 2X, 8, 8P, 15, 18, 18P, 19, 23, 23A, 23B, 25, 26, 38, 42, 63, 66, 81, 720, M722
**'''[[Citybus (Hong Kong)|Citybus]]''': 1, 5, 5B, 6, 6X, 8X, 10, 11, 37A, 37B, 40, 40M, 70, 72, 72A, 76, 77, 85, 90, 92, 96, 97, 260, 592, 780, 788, 789, to and from [[Hong Kong International Airport|airport]] via [[Western Harbour Crossing|WHC]]: A11, A12, E11
*'''Tunnel buses routes''':
**[[Cross-Harbour Tunnel]]: 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 115, 116, 117, 170, 171, 182
**[[Eastern Harbour Crossing]]: 601, 603, 619, 671, 680, 681, 690, 692
**[[Western Harbour Crossing]]: 905, 914, 960, 961, 962, 968, 969
*There is a bus terminal opposite the [[Star Ferry|Star Ferry Pier]].
===Taxis===
Only [[Taxicabs of Hong Kong|red taxi]] services are available in Wan Chai. Besides some restricted [[Curb (road)|kerb]]s in the highways, there are some designated pick-up and drop-off points in the region.
===Minibus===
There are two types of [[Public light bus|minibus]] in Wan Chai, green minibus and red minibus. In general, green minibuses operate scheduled service, with fixed routes and fixed fares. Red minibuses run on non-scheduled service, although some routes may in effect become fixed over time.
*'''Routes''':
**'''Green''': 4A, 4B, 4C, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 14M, 21A, 21M, 24A, 24M, 25, 28, 30, 31, 35M, 36X, 39M, 40, 56, 69
**'''Red''':
***[[Sai Wan|West Point]] — [[Causeway Bay]] ([[Daimaru]]) / [[Shau Kei Wan]]
*** [[Tsuen Wan]] — Wan Chai
*** [[Sheung Shui]] — Wan Chai
***[[Yuen Long]] — Wan Chai
==Gallery==
{{commons|Category:Wan Chai|Wan Chai}}
<gallery>
Image:DSCN1973.JPG|A printing shop closed down with a sign posted by the [[Urban Renewal Authority]]
Image:DSCN1967.JPG|Old dilapidated buildings in metro area
Image:DSCN1966.JPG|Tai Yau Arcade
</gallery>
==See also==
*[[Wan Chai District]]
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
'''Official websites'''
*[http://www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/wc/english/welcome.htm Wan Chai District Council]
*[http://www.gohk.gov.hk/eng/welcome/wc_intro.html Hong Kong Fun in 18 Districts — Wan Chai]
'''Personal website'''
*[http://www.geocities.com/hkcentre/wanchai.htm A memoir of a Wan Chai District resident] (Traditional Chinese only)
'''Other websites'''
*[http://www.wccoastline.org/ Retracing the Wan Chai Coastline — with oral history interviews with old residents] (Traditional Chinese only)
* [http://www.12hk.com/area/WanChai/WanChai.html More pictures of Wan Chai]
* [http://www.grs.gov.hk/ws/online/wanchai/index_tc.htm Display Wan Chai 1841-1997 Government Records Service]
==Bibliography==
'''Documents'''
*[http://www.live-arch.net/projects/WanchaiMarket/Wan%20Chai%20Market%20study_final.pdf A Study on Historical and Architectural Context of Wan Chai Market] written by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects. May [[2004]]. ([[Adobe]] [[Adobe Acrobat|Acrobat]] pdf format)
'''Project pages'''
*[http://www.live-arch.net/projects-wanchai_roadshow_right.html "Wan Chai ‧Today‧Tomorrow and After" Roadshow]
*[http://www.live-arch.net/projects-wanchaiMarket-study_right.html Save Wan Chai Market Action]
*[http://www.live-arch.net/projects-wanchaiMarket-contest_right.html Wan Chai Memory‧Photo and Writing Competition]
'''Press'''
*[http://www.takungpao.com/news/2005-3-29/GW-382253.htm Renovation of Southorn Playground] by ''[[Ta Kung Pao]]''. 29 March 2005.
'''Website'''
*[http://www.gohk.gov.hk/eng/welcome/wc_intro.html Hong Kong Fun in 18 Districts — Wan Chai]
*[http://www.hku.hk/hkcsp/oral_wanchai.html Remembering Wanchai – A Community Oral History Project] conducted by the [[University of Hong Kong]] Centre of Asian Studies
*[http://www.centamap.com Centamap], providing information of transport in Wan Chai
{{HKDistrict |
centre = [[Wan Chai District]] |
north = ([[Victoria Harbour]]) |
west = [[Central and Western District]] |
east = [[Eastern District, Hong Kong|Eastern District]] |
location = [[Causeway Bay]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Happy Valley, Hong Kong|Happy Valley]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Jardine's Lookout]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Stubbs Road]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Tai Hang]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> Wan Chai <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Wan Chai North]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Wong Nai Chung Gap]] |
south = [[Southern District, Hong Kong|Southern District]] |
}}
[[Category:Wan Chai|*]]
[[Category:Wan Chai District]]
[[Category:Bays of Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Places in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Victoria City]]
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[[ja:湾仔]]
[[zh-yue:灣仔]]
[[zh:灣仔]]