File:Tmlogo.jpg Tuen Mun (屯門) is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. This westest district of Hong Kong is located at about 32 km away from Kowloon Peninsula, 7 km away from Yuen Long and 18 km away from Tsuen Wan. The population of Tuen Mun at present is about 520 000 and is forecasted to rise to about 542 000 in 2011. It is a new developing town of Hong Kong and also a large residential area in the New Territories.
History
According to archaeologists, fishermens started settling in Tuen Mun since New Stone Age. As a result, the predominant activities in Tuen Mun were fishing and agriculture during the 20th century. While in the 50's, pirate and smuggling activities were frequent.
Transportation
It takes only about 1 hour by public transportation to go to Tuen Mun from downtown such as Tsim Sha Tsui and Central.
Rail
The first heavy rail serving the district, KCR West Rail, has connected Tuen Mun with Kowloon since December 2003. It takes 30 minutes to travel between the termini, Tuen Mun and Nam Cheong (Sham Shui Po) in Kowloon. There's another station, Siu Hong, located in the northern part of Tuen Mun. Both stations are connected with the KCR Light Rail (LRT).
The KCR Light Rail, which was in service in 1988, is a light rail system which has connected the 3 towns in North West New Territories, including Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, and Tin Shui Wai.
Road Transport
In the past Tuen Mun was connected with the city (Tsuen Wan) by the Castle Peak Road. In 1977, Tuen Mun Road (phase 1) was built. It is the first highway ever built in Hong Kong. Although the new highway has been facilitating the transport between Tuen Mun and the city, any traffic accident happened on the highway regardless of its seriousness, usually results in serious traffic congestion. As a matter of fact, the highway has been notorious for this. The Road is regarded as one of the most dangerous highway in Hong Kong, with the highest accident rate. The most serious traffic accident in Hong Kong, where a double decker bus fell off from the flyover and causing 22 deaths, was also occured on the Road on 10 July, 2003.
Ferry
In the near future, Tuen Mun will also be linked to the neighbour cities in Pearl River Delta such as Macau and Zhuhai in China by the ferry travelling to and from Tuen Mun Ferry Pier.
Tourist Attractions
Hong Kong Gold Coast
The Hong Kong Gold Coast is one of the major tourist hot spots in Hong Kong which is also the only 5-star beach resort and conference centre in Hong Kong. It features not only a world-class hotel but also a convention centre, a shopping mall, marina club, a 480m long Promenade and the Golden Beach.
The Golden Beach, which is the largest beach in Tuen Mun and the first articical beach in Hong Kong, with the sand imported from Hainan Island, China. The beach lengths 545 metres long and covers a total area of 7.85 hectares and is linked to the Cafeteria New Beach.
Moreover, it is convenient to access from Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok, Central district and other downtown areas to the Hong Kong Gold Coast.
Ching Chung Koon (青松觀)
Ching Chung Koon is also one of the high spots for tourists to visit. It is a Taoist temple originally opened as a rural retreat in 1949. This peaceful temple also contains many treasures, such as lanterns from Beijing's Imperial Palace. The temple is divided into several houses where many dead peoples' bone ash are permanently stored in special apartments with their picture, name, date of birth , date of death and his or her origin. During Ching Ming Festival and Chung Yeung Festival, many people go there to reminisce their relatives or friends who have passed away.
Red House
Built from 1885 to 1890,it was a part of Castle Peak Farm which was owned by Lee Kay Tong. Lee joined the Hing Chung Party after he met Suen Yat Sin, the father of the nation, in Hong Kong. The party then used the red house as a base for revolution against the government.
Lingnan University (嶺南大學)
Another attraction is the Lingnan University of Hong Kong, which is also located in Tuen Mun.
Dragon Boat Racing
Every year at Tuen Ng Festival (端午節), which is the 5th day of the fifth Lunar month, there is Dragon Boat racing at Castle Peak Bay. The venue is one of the several places where this international cultural and sports event takes place. Every year lots of people from different companies or organsiations join the exciting competition. The event also attracts crowds to watch the exciting race.
Reptile House
It is located in Tuen Mun Town Park. There are lots of real reptiles, for instance, tortoises, snakes, lizards and chameleons. Lives of the animals can be studied closely and it is a good place for children to learn more about the nature.
Public Facilities
Town Hall
The Tuen Mun Town Hall and public library are located near the Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road.
Castle Peak Hospital
Castle Peak Hospital, which is opened in 1961, is a psychiatric hospital which provides general psychiatric treatment. It is the psychiatric hospital with longest history in Hong Kong.
Tuen Mun Hospital
Tuen Mun Hospital was opened in 1990, providing a variety of medical services to Tuen Mun and the North Western part of New Territories.
Tuen Mun Town Plaza
Tuen Mun Town Plaza established in 1988, which is the largest shopping mall(800,000 sq ft.) in the North Western New Territories, with more than 300 shops. It is located in the Tuen Mun town centre.
Power Stations
There are 2 power stations in the west of Tuen Mun, which are run by CLP Power Hong Kong Limited, called Black Point Power Station and Castle Peak Power Station respectively.
Schools
There are currently 50 secondary schools, 56 primary schools and 50 kindergartens in Tuen Mun. There are also 5 special schools for mentally or physically disabled children.
Public Affairs
Sex Crimes
Several years ago, Tuen Mun was once notorious for its high occurrence of sex crimes, especially in public housing estates. Several offenders have been caught and the situation in recent years has improved. However, the problem still bothers women in the town a lot. Residents have tried to solve the problem by setting up special voluntary teams to accompany women who returned home late.
District Council
Tuen Mun has its own district council. Mr Lau Wong-Fat is the chairperson of the Tuen Mun district council.