HK$268 million waterfront revamp set to give Hong Kong’s Lei Yue Mun fishing village a tourism boost
- Plan includes a new pier, breakwater and viewing platform as well as promenade in the traditional tourist spot
- Government plans to seek funding from legislature’s Finance Committee and start construction by the fourth quarter this year
The waterfront of Lei Yue Mun fishing village will boast a new pier and may serve as a stop for “water taxi” services under a HK$268 million Hong Kong government proposal to beautify the area and lure tourists.
The lawmaker for the tourism sector and district councillors on Wednesday welcomed the long-overdue revamp, which was expected to boost the local economy and the number of visitors to the traditional tourist spot, which is popular for seafood cuisine.
The government planned to seek funding from the legislature’s Finance Committee and start construction by the fourth quarter this year.
“The proposed new public landing facility will provide visitors with convenient access to Lei Yue Mun waterfront for the enjoyment of scenery,” a document submitted to the Legislative Council said.
Under the proposal, the new berthing facility could accommodate vessels up to 30 metres long with a draft of three metres.
The work was needed because the existing Sam Ka Tsuen ferry pier in Yau Tong and berths in the typhoon shelter were either too far from popular tourist attractions along the waterfront or could not cater for large sightseeing vessels, officials said.
The plan included a new breakwater and viewing platform as well as a waterfront promenade. The existing viewing platform and lookout points would also be improved.
The design would showcase the historical and cultural features of the site.
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After the completion of the promenade in the Cha Kwo Ling, Yau Tong Bay and Yau Tong area, visitors could reach the fishing village from the Kwun Tong business area.
“In the long run, Lei Yue Mun waterfront may serve as an extended destination of the ‘water taxi’ service to be introduced by the government,” the document said, referring to a scheme where vessels would operate between Kai Tak, Hung Hom, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Central and West Kowloon.
The project was expected to be completed in phases from the second quarter of 2022 to the fourth quarter of 2024.
Tourism sector lawmaker Yiu Si-wing noted the proposal had been planned for a long time.
Yiu said Lei Yue Mun had abundant tourist attractions including a lighthouse and Devil's Peak, a Tin Hau temple as well as ferry services to the popular climbing spot Tung Lung Chau. But people usually overlooked those, and saw the village as a spot for enjoying seafood only.
“To beautify the promenade will give a better tourism effect and transport will be more convenient after an upgrade of the pier facilities. This can help develop Lei Yue Mun as a tourist destination with characteristics,” he said, adding the price tag was reasonable.
Kwun Tong district councillor Lui Tung-hai said the work had been discussed as early as 2005 and residents hoped it could begin soon.
Brushing off worries that tourists would flood the area and bother locals, Lui said the transformation could boost businesses and benefit residents and small firms.
“Many residents have a store or work in Lei Yue Mun,” Lui said.
While welcoming the scheme, Kwun Tong District Council chairman Choy Chak-hung also said the living environment of those in squatter areas urgently needed to be improved.
“I welcome the plan. But can the government do it in view of the urban planning of the whole of Lei Yue Mun? What is the point of making areas at the front so pretty, but at the back it remains like a rubbish dump?” he said.
Choy said the site usually flooded during typhoons.
“I don’t object to beautifying the place. But please make areas at both the front and back beautiful,” he said.
