Aberdeen

Aberdeen is one of the oldest pre-European-era settlements on Hong Kong. Pokfulam’s rugged, dramatically-scenic coastline, and the sheltered anchorage at Shek Pai Wan, have been known to European mariners since the 1740s. Tanka boat-dwellers have also made their homes there for centuries; most now live on shore. Aberdeen and the surrounding area offers much more interest and history than the tired, anachronistic tourist-clichés of sampans, floating restaurants and Chinese waterborne life would at first suggest.

The port’s fishing industry – while in serious decline these days – remains an important aspect of the local economy. Throughout the day – especially in the early morning – the Fish Marketing Organisation and provides a great deal of local colour.

In this walk, enlivened as ever with Jason’s rambles by numerous photographs and anecdotal asides, we will learn something of the original “Fragrant Harbour” – as pre-British era Aberdeen was known – and its evolution into a thriving fishing port, and transformation in the 1950s into a thriving light-industrial district.

Various ethnicities that have made their homes in the Aberdeen area down the centuries, such as the Tanka boat people, will be profiled. Various traditional belief systems from Chinese folk-religion that are connected with Hong Kong’s sea-farers, such as the widespread, perennially-popular Tin Hau (“Queen of Heaven”) cult, will also be discussed.

Please wear comfortable and appropriate footwear, keeping in mind we will be walking around the fish markets and your feet will most likely get wet. Washable footwear is suggested.

Meeting Point:

In front of the Fish Marketing Organisation, Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market, 102 Shek Pai Wan Road, Aberdeen.

Finish Point:

Aberdeen Technical School, Wong Chuk Hang Road.

Price:

$325HKD per person for a scheduled walk. For private group booking enquiries please contact us.