| North Point | |
| Native Name: | 北角 |
| Native Name Lang: | zh-Hant-HK |
| Settlement Type: | Mixed-used urban area |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | People's Republic of China |
| Subdivision Type1: | SAR |
| Subdivision Name1: | Hong Kong |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Eastern |
| Named For: | Northernmost point of Hong Kong |
| Unit Pref: | metric |
North Point is a mixed-use urban area in the Eastern District of Hong Kong. Located in the northeastern part of Hong Kong Island, the area is named after a cape between Causeway Bay and Tsat Tsz Mui that projects towards Kowloon Bay.[1]
North Point is bounded by Oil Street (Chinese: 油街) to the west and by Tin Chiu Street (Chinese: 電照街) to the east, by Victoria Harbour to the north and Braemar Hill to the southeast.[2] Causeway Bay neighbourhood lies west of North Point, while the Tsat Tsz Mui is east of North Point.
See also: Shanghainese people in Hong Kong. The name 'North Point' was first used by Royal Engineer lieutenant Collinson (1821-1902) in 1845.[3] Appearing in his official survey map to mark the Northernmost point in Hong Kong Island.[4]
Although the exact location of North Point was uninhabited before 1845, areas in around North Point have been inhabited since before the British arrived, with Tsat Tsz Mui Village considered as the oldest settlement in the vicinity, most likely established during the early 19th century.[5]
During the early period of the Colonization of Hong Kong, North Point remained relatively barren when compared to other areas on Hong Kong Island such as the vibrant Sheung Wan and Central districts.[6] This was mainly due to lack of flat land around north point.
The first developments in North Point centered around Shaukiwan Road (now Kings Road), such as The Metropole Hotel built in 1899, used until 1906, where the Metropole Building stands today.[7] The hotel was described in an advertisement as a popular resort occupying a charming seaside location, with first class refreshments and dinners.[8] It was later rebranded as Belle View Hotel from 1906-1916 (Late Metropole Hotel).[9] and North Point Hotel from 1917-1919, which was easily accessible by a tram service every few minutes.[10]
In 1919, the Hongkong Electric Company started operation of the territory's second power station at North Point.[11] Being the first industrial development in North Point, it was built on reclaimed land off the coast. The two original steam turbines of the power station were sourced from Dawson City, Yukon Canada, and were a prized purchase that provided relatively cleaner energy than older generation turbines.[12] Within 10 years the station had increased it's generating power from 3,000 to 28,000 kilowatts, a testament to the rapidly expanding electricity needs of Hong Kong Island. Though in 1978 the power station is replaced by City Garden, the adjacent streets Electric Street, Power Street, and Tin Chong Street reference the historical power station.
During the 1920s, Ming Yuen Amusement Park was built on the hillsides of North Point, and became a popular entertainment venue on Hong Kong Island. The park was easily accessible by tram, there was also a bus service from Shek Tong Tsui.[13] It featured a variety of programs such as circus performances, boxing matches, and open theaters, all of which are often well attended.[14] [15] [16] It was also famous for organizing Dragon Boat racing events off the coast at North Point.[17] Due to various reasons, including competition from the adjacent Lee Garden, the park closed down in the end of the 1930s. Today, Ming Yuen West Street retains the name of the park.
During the 1930s, the beaches of North Point became one of the most popular places for holding swimming gala in Hong Kong.
In 1938, the North Point Refugee Camp was built to accommodate the influx of refugees from the Mainland. The camp comprised 26 huts. Access to the camp was via Kam Hong Road and Marble Road. During World War II, the camp was renamed the North Point Camp, and used as a prisoner of war camp for captured Canadian soldiers during the Japanese occupation.[18]
During the Sino-Japanese War, and the Chinese Civil War, a large number of the rich and middle class from Shanghai such as the Jiangzhe people fled to Hong Kong to escape the turmoil of war, many of whom settled in North Point.[19] In 1950, North Point became known as "Little Shanghai", since in the minds of many, it has already become the replacement for the surrendered Shanghai in China. With entertainment venues being ubiquitous in Shanghai, emigrant Merchants opened Entertainment venues in North Point, first being Ritz Ballroom, Swimming Pool, and Garden, then the amusement park containing Sky Room nightclub: Luna Park, and a series of theatres such as the now iconic State Theatre (Empire Theatre before 1959). The first wave of emigrants also introduced Shanghai-style restaurants, beauty parlours, tailors, and barbershops. As a result, both Fort Street and Tsat Tsz Mui Road became the epicenter of middle-class Shanghaiese life in Hong Kong.[20] They also learned Cantonese and intermarried with people of other dialect groups. During the 1950s, North Point was the premiere place of residence for these emigrants, leading to a massive population boom; by the end of 1960, North Point was listed as the most densely populated place on earth by the Guinness Book of Records.[21] The first school in Hong Kong to use Mandarin as the main medium of instruction, Kiangsu and Chekiang Primary School, was founded in 1953 in North Point by these early Shanghainese immigrants. Shanghai at the time was heavily associated with leftist movements; leftist-supported businesses in North Point such as the Sunbeam Theatre (which now showcases Cantonese Opera), are a legacy of their influence.
The second group that moved to North Point were the Hokkien Fujianese, who were mostly displaced by political events in China but then soon mostly moved to countries in Southeast Asia, such as the Philippines and Indonesia. During the late 1960s North Point became known as "Little Fujian". Small Indonesian specialist grocery shops selling coffee, coconuts, and bumbu are some of the remaining traces of their identity. The Fujianese set up Grocery shops on Chun Yeung Street, which offer a variety of traditional Fujianese foods, such as "misua", "tokwa", "tikoy", "lumpia" & "green bean cake", all of which are also staples of Chinese Filipino cuisine in the Philippines. The Fujianese also rented apartments to set up apartment-temples in North Point to worship Pan-Chinese Deities such as Gwan Yin, and the Fujianese deity Sheng Gung (Kong Tek Chun Ong, 廣澤尊王). Many of these apartment-temples were established by Monks and Nuns who escaped Fujian when the Chinese Cultural Revolution attacked old religious organizations.[22]
After Cantonese, Hokkien Min Nan is the most widely spoken language in North Point. Many Min Nan associations (Chinese: 閩南同鄉會) are based in North Point to bring people from the same towns or villages together. North Point is also home to several Min Nan-speaking churches serving the Min Nan Christians.[23]
Today, North Point comprises a mix of new luxury developments and older Chinese buildings.
The head office of Sino United Publishing is in the S U P Tower in North Point.[24]
City Garden, built from 1983 to 1986, is a private housing estate consisting of 14 blocks, each 28 storeys tall. Part of the site was occupied North Point Power Station before 1983.
North Point Estate, which stood next to the North Point Ferry Pier, was demolished in 2003.
There are three government primary schools in North Point. Located at 888 King's Road, the North Point Government Primary School (NPGPS) opened in 1954. The North Point Island Place Primary and Kindergarten School is located on Tanner Road and is in the Island Place Estate. The North Point Government Primary School (Cloud View Road) abbreviated as NPCVR, also opened in 1954, is located at 22 Cloud View Road. All three schools are whole-day, co-ed and have nominated secondary school status with Shau Kei Wan GSS, Shau Kei Wan East GSS and Clementi Secondary School.
Belilios Public School, a government secondary school for girls, is in North Point.[25]
The Chinese International School is located on Hau Yuen Path in Braemar Hill and is a private, co-educational school providing education to students from Reception to Year 13. Established in 1983,[26] the school has a diverse student body with over 30 nationalities represented. Secondary school students pursue the IB Primary Years Programme before moving on to the IB Diploma.
North Point is in Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 14. Within the school net are multiple aided schools (operated independently but funded with government money) and North Point Government Primary School.[27]
As part of Hong Kong Ferry, Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry operates a North Point/Kwun Tong Licensed Dangerous Goods Vehicular Ferry Service. It also operates the sightseeing service Harbour Cruise Bauhinia on public holidays.[34]
During the annual Tin Hau Festival, special ferries operate from North Point Ferry Pier to Joss House Bay.
Streets in North Point include: