Where will Lantau’s Future Lead? The Geography of Tung Chung Discovery College Magazine Volume 34 Claire Holubowskyj & Victoria Martyn
Mar 17, 2016
Where will Lantau’s Future Lead?
The Geography of Tung Chung
Discovery College M
agazine
Volume 34
Claire H
olubow
skyj &
Victoria M
artyn
Table of
Contents
The World In Spatial Terms
How to Read a Map
Absolute Location
Relative Location
Human Characteristics
Physical Characteristics
Environment and Society
Bibliography
2-3
4-5
6-7
8-9
10-11
12-13
14
151
The World in Spatial Terms By Claire Holubowskyj
The World in Spatial Terms is the 2irst geography s t a n d a rd , a n d a n a l y s e s distances and spread on the Earths surface. As such, it includes the distances between places and environments, and how things are distributed. It is m a i n l y c o n c e r n e d w i t h distribution of people and places, and also of how far apart these areas are. It looks at population, distribution, density, and distances, among others.
The World in Spatial Terms is an important geography theme because it is the tool with which geographers use to de2ine the other standards. It is the only geography standard that is a core component of every other geography standard, because a good understanding of it is crucial to understanding the other standards. Distance and distribution are important geography themes because they determine not only the bounds of physical geography, but the context of social geography as well.
Tung Chung is a vibrant town, as close as Lantau Island has to a city. With a population of just over 130,000 people, Tung Chung is the most populous area of Lantau Island. Surrounded by picturesque villages and country parks, yet within 15 minutes of Hong Kong International Airport, Tung Chung has the best of both worlds.
Tung Chung MTR Station
Tung Chung Bay
Tung Chung New Town
2
Citygate, Hong Kong’s only outlet shopping mall is not only a popular tourist attraction, but also the centre of modern Tung Chung. Being the transportation hub of Lantau Island, it offers convenient transportation to the more remote regions of Lantau, as well asto Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
Definitions Population – The number of people residing in a particular area
Density – The quantity of people or things in a certain area or region
Distance – The amount of space between two things
Space – The area of land not occupied by buildings, an empty area
Tung Chung is designed around Citygate. Exceedingly convenient, at Citygate there is not only an outlet shopping mall, but a hotel (Novotel), an MTR station, and a large bus terminal. Nearby, within 5 minutes walking distance, there is an additional plaza, Fu Tung plaza, which is older, and used more by locals. Around Citygate are a number of modern and expansive private housing developments, all within walking distance, with the furthest offering a quick shuttle bus. Not ten minutes away is the Yat Tung estate, which is, effectively, a smaller Tung Chung, comprising of residential buildings surrounding a shopping centre.
Tung Chung is also popular with tourists, who come to take a ride on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, and enjoy the perpetual discounts on world-‐famous brands in the outlets in Citygate. The Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car is within 10 minutes walking distance of Citygate, located conveniently near the city centre, and attracts thousands of tourists to Tung Chung every day.
The World in Spatial Terms
Top: Food Republic Food Court, CitygateAbove: Esprit Fashion, Citygate
3
There are several features on a map that are invaluable to the point that a map is useless without them. The 2irst is a legend, or key. A legend is used to show what the different symbols and lines on a map mean, so, for example, the map reader can tell the difference between a state boundary and a road, or a picnic area from a restaurant. The next is an indication of the scale of the map. This can take the form of a ratio, or a labeled bar, with a label that reads something like 1cm = 2km. This is used to tell the size of the map, in relation to the real thing. This is crucial when trying to 2ind the distance between two places, because the scale tells the reader how large an area in real life the map represents. Without it, a map showing North American might well be 1km in real life. A compass tells the direction, so in conjunction with a scale, someone can tell exactly where they are, and where to go. An alphanumeric grid simply makes it easier to 2ind speci2ic locations on a map, by dividing it into labeled grid squares.
Definitions Legend/Key – An explanation of the symbols used in the map
Scale – A ratio of the maps size in relation to the size of the area depicted in the map, e.g. 1 : 10,000,000 Compass – An arrow that shows the direction of North on the map
Alphanumeric Gr id – A gr id superimposed onto the map, that has letters on one side, and numbers on the other, to make it easier to find certain locations, e.g. Grid H4
How to Read a Map By Claire Holubowskyj
4Map of Tung Chung, with Citygate highlighted
Citygate is divided into 5 2loors, with shops on the top four 2loors, and a car park on the lowest level. There are bathrooms on every 2loor, with the most shops and restaurants on the top 2loor, which is the only unbroken level. The other four levels are divided into two halves, due to the North Lantau Expressway, which carves through the centre of Citygate. When using maps of this variety, relative location is most helpful, because it outlines the location of shops in relation to the other ones, making it much easier to tell where certain shops are.
How to Read a Map
5
Citygate Directory
Absolute Location is a key component when regarding the World in Spatial Terms. It is a fairly simple method of calculating exact location that has been used for many years. Now, people have graduated from using the stars as guides and use latitude and longitude, two sets of non-‐existent lines running across the earth both vertically and horizontally. While it might seem confusing, absolute location truly is quite a simple concept to grasp. The important point to consider is that those lines are used to calculate exact location in the world; in relation to degrees, hours, minutes and seconds. One degree is the equivalence of an hour, one sixtieth of an hour to a minute, and one sixtieth of a minute to a second. All that information is used to pinpoint any exact location in the world.
6
Absolute Location By Victoria Martyn
While many people prefer to use relative location (refer to page 7), a guide used quite frequently, absolute location is preferable when traveling. It is an easy way to 2ind the precise location of a certain place. And with GPS (Global Positioning System) applications being stored into phones these days, all that is required of the traveler is to record and enter the degrees, bearings in relation to the degrees, minutes and seconds f o r b o t h l a t i t u d e a n d longitude. Then the GPS device / application locates the desired position. It is then that the GPS application might create a path to follow to get to the destined location, even doing such things as saying when to lines are used to calculate exact location in the world; in relation to degrees, hours, minutes and seconds. One degree is the equivalence of an hour, one sixtieth of an hour to a minute, and one sixtieth of a minute to a second. All that information is used to pinpoint any exact location in the world.Top: La Rossa, Tung Chung
Above: Tung Chung Transport Interchange
7
Absolute Location
While many people prefer to use relative location (refer to page 7), a guide used quite frequently, absolute location is preferable when traveling. It is an easy way to 2ind the precise location of a certain place. And with GPS (Global Positioning System) applications being stored into phones these days, all that is required of the traveler is to record and enter the degrees, bearings in relation to the degrees, minutes and seconds for both latitude and longitude. Then the GPS device / application locates the desired position. It is then that the GPS application might create a path to follow to get to the destined location, even doing such things as saying when to turn, what pathways to take an so on.
Despite Tung Chung being a fairly small area, the need for absolute location arises when hiking in and around the modern town. With its winding paths and countless options, absolute location is more than a possibility, it’s a requirement.
Some examples include:
Tung Chung - 22 17’31.29” N, 113 56’46.97” E
Citygate - 22 17’22.63” N, 113 56’25.56” E
Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car - 22 17’24.98” N, 113 56’18.35” E
Tung Chung MTR Station - 22 17’21.09” N, 113 56’28.57” E
Definitions Latitude - vertical lines parallel to the equator, running from North to South of the earth. Measures distance of a location either North or South of the earthʼs equator. Longitude - horizontal lines parallel to the prime meridian, running from East to West of the earth. Measures distance of a
location either North or South of the earthʼs prime meridian. Bearings - direction or position of an object or person relative to a fixed point. Is normally measured in degrees. GPS - a global navigation system using signals collected from a range of satellites orbiting the earth to pinpoint exact location.
Left: Lines of LongitudeRight: Lines of Latitude
8
Relative Location By Victoria Martyn
Relative location is another key component when regarding the World in Spatial Terms. Many of the more electronically illiterate people 2ind relative location far easier to understand than absolute location. While absolute location refers to the desired destination in a sequence of numbers, relative location refers to the desired destination in a form of compass bearings and relation to the area as a whole. This is understandable, considering the fact that while absolute location leaves the responsibility to the machine, relative location leaves the responsibility to the person.
So how is relative location applied? Excellent question, and it’s deserving of an excellent answer. Relative location uses compass signs and the area in relation to buildings and the well-‐known landmarks located around it. For example:
Tung Chung Bus Stop to Tung Chung UA Cinema:
When exiting the bus, walk straight. If passing by a bus stop to the right, then continue on forward. After walking through the curve of the sidewalk leading right, walk straight until reaching the point between the outlet mall and the cinema. turn right, and walk until the cinema doors are to the immediate right. once there, go over to the doors and open them. Congratulations, the cinema has been reached.
Citygate Square; the central meeting place in Tung Chung
9
Relative Location" W h i l e t h e m y r i a d o f instructions may be confusing, the fact is that many of the directions relate to the area, referring to common, easily sighted things in the environment (eg. park bench, bus stop, trees). Relative location differs slightly with every person, as some are more general with their directions, and others fall into meticulous detail. In any case, it is a common usage in most everyones’ lives. Because relative location has been used for hundreds of years before absolute location -‐ of the two methods of describing the World in Spatial Terms -‐ it will most likely be the one to last longer. Forcing people to think deeply about their answer in a way that will make sense to the person asking, relative location improves a persons’ ability to describe. It helps people become more descriptive, and able to use the environment to their advantage.
The use of relative location in Tung Chung is a daily occurrence, given the town can be quite perplexing when attempting to walk around it. Given that each instruction relative location provides, one is able to see when a mistake has been made, and backtrack to see where fault arose, easily making relative location the simpler method of traveling in comparison to absolute location.
Top: Ngong Ping 360 Cable CarMiddle: View of Tung ChungAbove: Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car
10
Humans are one of the only species on Earth that can travel faster than they can run, and are most de2initely the only species on Earth that can stand 100 2loors above ground level. We have developed our inhabitations into cities and metropolises, all of which have their own characteristics. Every city is different, and the people that live in it make their own mark on their city.
Human Characteristics By Claire Holubowskyj
Human Characteristics is a part of Human Systems, the fourth geography standard. It is concerned with the speci2ic features of the places in which we live, in particular what is in our cities. We have created so many features present in the modern metropolis, that each city has only a selection. This selection de2ines the people in the city, and in turn the city itself.
Tung Chung is the largest town on Lantau Island, and has the largest variety of modern facilities, designed to cater for the 100,000 people that call Tung Chung their home. There is not only a large outlet shopping mall, but also a new public library, a community hall, sports centre, and swimming pool complex, all available to the public. In addition to the publicly available facilities, each private housing development has its own clubhouse and swimming pool. Such developments include Caribbean Coast, Coastal Skyline, and Tung Chung Crescent. These facilities de2ine Tung Chung as a modern city, designed for the young professional.
Tung Chung Fort
Tung Chung Public Swimming Pool
Tung Chung Public Library
11
Tung Chung, as a fairly modern city by any standards, is designed for the modern lifestyle, which is fast-‐paced and hectic, with little time to sit back and relax. All of the architecture is modern, and comprises of g l a s s a n d s t e e l monstrosities. Traditional structures are virtually unheard of, and there are very few signs that Tung Chung had a history before the 20th century.
Beneath the shiny modern façade, there lies a town with its roots steeped in history and culture, and with a laid back atmosphere. Tung Chung residents not only have a menagerie of things to do in the city, but can also travel out on one of their convenient hiking trails, to smaller towns like Mui Wo or Tai O, which offer a complete ly d i f ferent culture and lifestyle.
Tung Chung emulates Hong Kong, in the fact that it is centred around business and economics , but i s different, in the way that chicken pie is different to steak pie – they look the same on the outside, but on t h e i n s i d e , t h e y a r e completely different.
Human Characteristics
Top: Tung Chung MTR StationMiddle: Caribbean CoastAbove: Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car
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Physical Characteristics By Victoria Martyn
Physical characteristics are another element in Human Systems. Describing the more natural things about the community, such as beaches, topography, rivers and mountains, it offers people an insight into the natural beauty of the place.
With Tung Chung being one of many technologically advanced places in Hong Kong, there are little to no physical characteristics surrounding the central area, P lanted t rees are scat tered throughout the shopping mall and residential areas as a way of balancing the destruction of the area for progress. This also brings about a sense of environmental awareness, despite the fact that these trees had to be shipped to Tung Chung to be planted.
Other physical characteristics in Tung Chung include two hiking trails; one to Tai O -‐ a village known for its stilt houses, mangroves and pink dolphins -‐ and the other to Mui Wo, a rural town that many tourists and expats (expatriates) frequent.
The hiking trail to Tai O is a long one, stretching to 14 km l o n g . F o r t h e r i d i c u l o u s l y athletically 2it, the hike could take as little as two and a half hours. But for people who don’t exercise on a daily basis, this hike could take four hours -‐ with rests, chances to admire the scenery, eating, and so on. Mostly a 2lat trail, the tallest elevation would be a simple 75 meters. While at the beginning t h e s c e n e r y o n l y
Physical Characteristics -‐ Cave
Lantau Island Scenery
13
Physical Characteristicsconsists of less well-‐known parts of the suburban side of Tung Chung, walking further along allows a person to learn about its natural side. Here there are various interesting insects as well as a range of tree and 2lower species. With the mountains being so close to the ocean, the smell of saltwater is fresh in the air.
Traveling from Tung Chung to Mui Wo is more picturesque than traveling to Tai O, as most of the hike involves walking up hills and being exposed to nature.
Similar to Tai O, the path is always clear and never veers off. With its highest elevation being 240 meters, this hike is not for the faint-‐hearted and one must be prepared for its strenuousness. The hike brings
along the exquisite natural beauties surrounding Tung Chung, such as Silvermine Cave (now blocked off from the pub l i c for sa fe ty r e a s o n s ) a n d t h e Silvermine Bay Waterfall G a r d e n . W h i l e t h e S i l v e r m i n e C a v e i s unavailable, the waterfall is more than enough. Tall and grand, it allows the water to gracefully cascade down the rocks and onto the waiting pond below.
Hiking trail to Mui Wo
Hiking trail to Tai O
Environment & Society By Claire Holubowskyj & Victoria Martyn
14
The Lantau Island environment is both rare, and diminished. It’s long-‐standing history and culture have given way to the rapidly growing Hong Kong economy, embracing tourism, and all the problems it brings. As one of the few islands in Hong Kong left vastly untouched by the 21st century, it’s history and cultural way of life is vanishing quickly, and must be preserved.
Tung Chung has lost its long history as a 2ishing village. Now classi2ied as a retail hub, its primary concern is tourism. The tourists come to Tung Chung for the cheap designer brands that can be found there, and for nothing else. Its history is only known to the locals, and even then, it is disappearing into the wind. With the proposed development of Lantau likely proceeding, the largest island in Hong Kong is losing its
heritage faster than it can protest. It is the only place in Hong Kong where the traditional way of l ife can stil l be experienced, and in another 30 years, it could be completely gone. Hong Kong’s culture must be preserved, lest it lose it completely in the name of progression.
Modern Hong Kong is centred around 2inance. Renowned for its low tax rate and ample shopping opportunities, it attracts thousands of tourists worldwide. Tung Chung is no exception. The tourists that visit care nothing for the place, only the shops receive their attention. The cheap handbags and designer clothing are slowly eroding the history away. With every fashion item sold, another human being leaves, having learnt nothing about the place. Tung Chung is the shoppers paradise, and the historians downfall.
The untouched forest surrounding Tung Chung is vanishing even faster. Developers are interested only in money and deadlines. The numerous ecosystems that exist there are of as much interest as dirt on the developers’ shoes.
The Lantau Island environment and the Lantau Island societies are completely separate entities, competing for a place in the future of the island. The modern day is eating away at the past, and soon there will be nothing left but price tags and shopping bags. Lantau Island must be preserved. It’s history and culture is worn away enough. There is no need for more shops, another theme park, or a bridge to China. The tourists are 2inding their way to Tung Chung easily enough as it is. They require no further assistance.
Tung Chung has had it’s past torn from it by tourism. “Progress” will steal its future as well.
Left: Lantau Hiking Trail
Bibliography
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Citygate Outlets -‐ the only outlet shopping mall in Hong Kong located on Lantau Island .
(n.d.). Citygate Outlets - the only outlet shopping mall in Hong Kong located on Lantau
Island . Retrieved April 15, 2011, from http://www.citygateoutlets.com.hk/home/
Pages/home.aspx
Geography Standards -‐ The National Council for Geographic Education. (n.d.). Welcome to
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index.cfm?pageid=3314
Location | Citygate Outlets -‐ the only shopping outlets mall | Hong Kong | Lantau Island.
(n.d.). Citygate Outlets - the only outlet shopping mall in Hong Kong located on Lantau
Island . Retrieved April 19, 2011, from http://www.citygateoutlets.com.hk/about/
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Map of Tung Chung -‐ Tung Chung.Info. (n.d.). Tung Chung.Info. Retrieved April 27, 2011, from
http://www.tungchung.info/map-‐of-‐tung-‐chung
Hiking Hong Kong -‐ Outlying Islands -‐ Lantau Island -‐ Tung Chung -‐ Tung Chung to Mui Wo
Hiking Trail. (n.d.). Hiking Hong Kong - Your Guide to Adventure. Retrieved June 2,
2011, from http://www.hiking-‐hong-‐kong.com/outlying-‐islands/lantau-‐island/
tung-‐chung/tung-‐chung-‐mui-‐wo.php
View of Tung Chung