Sai Wan
| Sai Wan | |||||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 西環 | ||||||||||
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| Simplified Chinese | 西环 | ||||||||||
| Literal meaning | West Ring | ||||||||||
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| Transcriptions | |
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| Standard Mandarin | |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Xīhuán |
| Yue: Cantonese | |
| Jyutping | sai1 waan4 |
Sai Wan (Chinese: 西環, Western District or simply Western) is an area in Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong that corresponds to Sai Ying Pun, Shek Tong Tsui, Belcher Bay and Kennedy Town. However, Some Hong Kong people consider Kennedy Town as the only part of Sai Wan. It formed part of the City of Victoria. West Point, a former cape where major government structures in Sai Wan are close to, also used to refer to Sai Wan.
In the early 1800s, Sai Ying Pun was known as a place to settle the Chinese immigrants. It was built from the west of Tai Ping Shan. Europeans were also assigned to live in the same area. Yet, they were separated at the High Street where Chinese were excluded from living.
In 1880, sewerage was installed into the are, with the main flow coming down Centre Street. Streets were covered with macadam and concreted at the same time.
In 1890s, a severe epidemic outbreak named bubonic plague afflicted Sai Ying Pun residents. Sheung Fung Lane residents were almost wiped out during the period. Government Reports identified this area as the no. IX health district and went into great detail about the buildings where the disease occurred. The neighboring area, Tai Ping Shan, was the most infected place in the city. It was resumed, abandoned and demolished to improve hygiene as well
The name of Shek Tong Tsui derived from a famous ancient stone pond, "Shek Tong" (石塘) in Cantonese, inside the area. The stone pond was located at modern-day Hill Road and The Belcher's, and was mined by the Hakka people since the 17th century.
In 1903, the first land reclamation of Shek Tong Tsui was finished. In the meantime, the largest brothels in the city, which were located at the Possession Street, were destroyed by a big fire. Consequently, Hong Kong Governor Matthew Nathan decided to move all Hong Kong Island's brothels to Shek Tong Tsui in the early 1900s due to the large area recently claimed from the land reclamation. The place was then being well flourished as a red light district and came to its golden period. Numerous Cantonese opera theaters and restaurants were founded because of the business of brothels. It was the best place to entertain the affluent Chinese in Hong Kong.
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Wikipedia