Plotted on the map with familiar names?! not to be so surprised!
Plotted on a world map, the street names show how Hong Kong’s port has moved, as reclamation left the old working waterfronts inland. From a dotty land to an international city - the name of the streets tells me a lot about the maritime past of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is my hometown and every time I come back for a visit, Hong Kong greets me warmly with a hug - you will know it because it's the feel of home. - Kelsey Wong
So how did those names come from? Who were they?
That is a very good question, as Hong Kong has gone through a several colonisation with the British and the Japanese Empire during WWII, as it sits in the southern shore of china near the harbour which can be beneficial to the other countries for trading - A deep colonial history with the British Empire since the 19th centuries after the Opium War - The colonisation has lead Hong Kong becoming one of the world's well known cities and heart of the Asia's economy.Considering Hong Kong is one of the world’s great ports, street names with maritime connections are remarkably few – no more than 10 per cent of the total. But that is enough, when loaded into a database. and the others are named after our Governors, Prime Minister, King/Queen of UK and other members of the nobility or have authority in the past when HK was ruled centuries under the crown of Queen Victoria till Queen Elizabeth II. In memory of the maritime past we have gone through and the industrialisation.
King's Road located in HK island from Wan Chai to North Point named after King George V, in memory of Queen Elizabeth II's father. Caine Road named after the Colonial Secretary 'William Caine' - situated near the midlands.
But not every Governor were lucky enough to have his own street, such as Sir Edward Youde, Hong Kong's only Welsh Governor was widely liked for his kindly demeanour and greatly admired for his formidable erudition. Sir Edward Youde was the Governor of Hong Kong when Margaret Thatcher was in pose during the 80s while London is going through depression(29 August 1974 – 15 June 1978), He was also the only Governor in HK died in office. He went on to serve a total of four tours of Foreign Office duty in China, the last as ambassador, from 1974-78. He also served in Washington (1956 to 1959) and as a member of the British mission to the United Nations (1965 to 1969).
Even though a street name was not given or specially dedicated to him, but a plaque to his memory was commissioned by the Hong Kong Civil Service and placed on the wall of St John's Cathedral, in the Central District of Hong Kong.
And some other silly mistakes have taken place when the Government of Hong Kong was trying to name the streets - such as Queen's Road, as from a linguist perspective it is a derogatory term, in English it signifies the same position and authority with King, but in Chinese Culture there is also an unequal encounter presented - in this context it should be 'Lui Wong' meaning 'Women King' but they have accidentally named it 'Wong hau' which simply means 'Queen', a lower position.
Queen's Road West - named incorrectly
Sometimes Hong Kong make me feel like I'm home, it's like when see you the design of the direction signs and street signs - such as the blue background white text and street names (London has a Gloucester Station while HK has Gloucester Road), it gives me a sense of security of thinking that Hong Kong was part of UK and somehow things are similar, hospitals, streets and monuments named after and so much more, definitely great to travel- and you rarely get any homesick apart from streets are too crowded all the time, even the things are cheap though.
''Hong Kong has created one of the most successful societies on Earth." -Prince Charles
Hong Kong is one of those cities you never really stop discovering. With its breathtaking national parks and a Chinese culture influenced by years of British colonial rule, Hong Kong has unique and enduring characteristics that make it truly special. The city's intrigue will lead you there, while its economic and cultural vibrance will make it impossible to leave. - So why don't we book a flight? Travel to Hong Kong and savour Hong Kong with our own footsteps? :)
Kelsey xoxo
