Back when Hong Kong was a fishing and trading community, its Victoria Harbour played host to a large number of junks, sampans and other fishing boats. These vessels were regularly battered by the violent typhoons of the South China Sea, so the city began to build typhoon shelters for their protection.
Nowadays, the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter guards thousands of boats from the elements. Stroll along the shore and see luxury yachts moored in the shelter. Marvel at the unique lifestyle of Aberdeen’s many thousands of boat-dwellers, who reside in junks and sampans there as well. And keep your eye out for local fishermen in action.
Hong Kong Island has been expanding through harbour landfill. As a consequence, the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter has been progressively shrinking. Still, the sheer number of vessels that you will find clustered in this safe harbour is remarkable.
Reclaimed land has been put to good use at Victoria Park, just a short walk away from the shelter. The park is home to many different activities, and it springs to life on Sundays when Indonesian domestic helpers gather there for their day off work. The Lunar New Year Festival in early spring is also a highlight at the park. Stop by in June to see thousands of citizens converge holding candles for the anniversary of the tragic Tiananmen Square incident in 1989.
Causeway Bay is also home to the Noon-Day Gun. This cannon has been fired every day at noon in a ritual that began under the dominance of British traders and has continued even after the Handover. Stop by the gun just before noon to watch the brief ceremony.
A visit to the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter is easy using the Island MTR line. Get off at either Tin Hau or the Causeway Bay station. The shelter is a favourite setting for Chinese action movies that are filmed in Hong Kong, so don’t be surprised if you find it somewhat familiar.
