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Tuen Mun
in the northwestern New Territories was once a major harbour of Southern
China. To the many foreign politicians and merchants who visited the mainland,
it was an important gateway. The busy traffic brought opportunities and
business flourished in the area where Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Kam Tin
lie today.
One of the earliest
settlements of foreign visitors, Tuen Mun was a port with many shops,
foreign schools and villages. There were also Arabic and Persian women
who were ready to befriend visiting merchants. To overseas travellers,
Tuen Mun was the "Island of Charm".
 Today,
Tuen Mun is a well developed new town, with many large shopping malls
and restaurants. It is also where you find the Hong Kong Gold Coast, a
popular resort development built in the Southern European style. Set on
an idyllic coast, it offers city dwellers the space and environment to
unwind. There is a sandy beach nearby where visitors can take a cool dip
or get a perfect suntan.
There is more to Tuen
Mun, though, than its public housing estates and private residential developments.
For a journey into days gone past, visit Ching Chung Koon. This Taoist
temple is a fine example of local culture. Founded in 1950, it has been
considerably renovated and extended through the years, resulting in a
complex of rich character that provides an oasis of calm among the high-rise
buildings that surround it. Ching Chung means "evergreen pine",
a tree revered for its longevity and perseverance. The temple has a valuable
collection of rare calligraphy, scrolls and couplets, as well as many
horticultural delights. The Bonsai Festival, held annually in April, attracts
plant lovers from far and wide.
Another Tuen Mun annual
spectacular is the dragon boat races held in Castle Peak Bay to celebrate
Tuen Ng Festival, on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. This event
combining colour, speed and excitement is very popular with locals and
tourists alike.
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Interesting
Stories of 18 Districts
