View source for Hong Kong Island

{{Short description|Second largest island in Hong Kong}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Hong Kong English|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox islands
| name             = Hong Kong Island
| image_name       = Hong Kong Island Skyline 201108.jpg
| image_caption    = Dusk view of Hong Kong Island as viewed from [[North Point]], August 2011
| image_size       = 
| map_image        = Hong Kong Island - Hong Kong.svg
| map_caption      = Location (in red) within [[Hong Kong]]
| local_name       = {{langn|zh-Hant-HK|香港島}}
| coordinates      = {{coord|22|15|52|N|114|11|14|E|display=inline,title}}
| area_km2         = 78.59
| highest_mount    = [[Victoria Peak]]
| elevation_m      = 552
| country_admin_divisions           =
| population       = 1,188,500
| population_as_of = 2023
| density_km2      = 16,390
| ethnic_groups    = {{ubl|85% [[Chinese people|Chinese]]|5.6% [[Filipinos in Hong Kong|Filipino]]|2.6% [[Indonesians in Hong Kong|Indonesian]]|2.5% [[Demographics of Hong Kong#White people|White]]}}<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=District Profiles |url=https://www.census2021.gov.hk/en/district_profiles.html |website=2021 Population Census}}</ref>
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| t = 香港島
| s = 香港岛
| showflag = yj
| order = ts
| p = Xiānggǎng dǎo
| tp = Sianggǎng dǎo
| w = {{tonesup|Hsiang1-kang3 Tao3}}
| mi = {{IPAc-cmn|x|iang|1|.|g|ang|3|-|d|ao|3}}
| bpmf = {{bpmfsp|ㄒㄧㄤ|ㄍㄤˇ|ㄉㄠˇ}}
| h = {{tonesup|Hiong1 gong3 dau3}}
| y = Hēunggóng dóu
| ci = {{IPAc-yue|h|oeng|1|-|g|ong|2|-|d|ou|2}}
| j = Hoeng1 gong2 dou2
| wuu = Shian<sup>平</sup>kaon<sup>上</sup> tau<sup>上</sup>
| poj = Hiong-káng-tó
}}

'''Hong Kong Island''' ({{zh|t=香港島|cy=Hēunggóng dóu|j=Hoeng1 gong2 dou2|s=香港岛|p=xiāng gǎng dǎo}}) is an island in the southern part of [[Hong Kong]]. The island, known originally and on road signs simply as "Hong Kong", had a population of 1,289,500 and a population density of {{convert|16,390|/km2|/sqmi}},<ref>{{Citation|last=Census and Statistics Department |title=Population and Vital Events |access-date=31 August 2009 |date=2008 |url=http://www.statistics.gov.hk/publication/feature_article/B70906FC2009XXXXB0100.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090824065021/http://www.statistics.gov.hk/publication/feature_article/B70906FC2009XXXXB0100.pdf |archive-date=24 August 2009 }}</ref> {{As of|2023|lc=y}}. It is the second largest island in Hong Kong, with the largest being [[Lantau Island]]. Hong Kong Island forms one of the three [[areas of Hong Kong]], with the other two being [[Kowloon]] and the [[New Territories]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Areas of Districts|url=https://www.rvd.gov.hk/doc/tc/hkpr13/06.pdf|website=Rating and Valuation Department}}</ref>

In 1842, following the [[Qing dynasty]]'s defeat at the [[First Opium War]] (1839–1842), Hong Kong Island was formally ceded in perpetuity to the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]] under the [[Treaty of Nanking]]. The [[Victoria, Hong Kong|City of Victoria]] was then established on the island by British forces, named in honour of [[Queen Victoria]]; the island is also known as '''Victoria Island'''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shek Pik Reservoir, Lantau Island |url=https://sls.hkpl.gov.hk/hkmemory/en/contentcoverpage.html?catalogueId=43993 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=Hong Kong Memory |language=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Victoria Island |url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/x94286 |access-date=4 November 2025 |website=British Museum}}</ref> At that time, the island had a population of about 3,000 inhabitants scattered in a dozen fishing villages.

The northern-east part of the island, being known as the [[Central, Hong Kong|Central]] area is the historical, political, and economic centre of Hong Kong, with many government buildings being in the area, namely the [[Government House, Hong Kong|Government House]], [[Central Government Complex (Hong Kong)|Central Government Complex]], [[Legislative Council Complex]], [[Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal]] and [[High Court of Hong Kong]]. Many financial institutes and banks such as the [[Hong Kong Stock Exchange]], [[Hong Kong Monetary Authority]], [[HSBC (Hong Kong)|HSBC]] and [[Bank of China (Hong Kong)|Bank of China]] are also based in the area.

The northern coast of the island forms the southern shore of the [[Victoria Harbour]], which is largely responsible for the development of Hong Kong due to its deep waters favoured by large trade ships. The island is home to many famous tourists sights, such as "[[Victoria Peak|The Peak]]", [[Ocean Park Hong Kong|Ocean Park]], [[Central Police Station Compound|Former Central Police Station Compound]], [[Murray House]], and many other historical sites and various large shopping centres. The mountain ranges across the island are also famous for [[hiking]].

The northern part of Hong Kong Island, together with [[Kowloon]] and [[Tsuen Wan New Town]], forms the core urban area of Hong Kong. Their combined area is approximately {{convert|88.3|km2|sqmi|1|abbr=off}} and their combined population is approximately 3,156,500, reflecting a population density of {{convert|35,700|/km2|/mi2|disp=preunit|people|people|abbr=on}}.

The island is often referred to locally as "Hong Kong side" or "Island side". The suffix "-side" is also applied to other locations in Hong Kong, the sole remnant of which being "Kowloon side" when referring to the other side of Victoria Harbour.<ref>{{Citation |last=Booth |first=Martin |title=Gweilo: memories of a Hong Kong childhood |year=2005 |place=London |publisher=Bantam |isbn=978-0-553-81672-3}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=August 2024}}{{Better source needed|reason=This name does not seem commonly used among locals. A memoir is not sufficient reference for this information; more reliable sources like news articles, journals, or scholarly books are needed.|date=August 2024}}{{TOC limit|2}}

==History==

=== Prehistoric and Imperial China period ===
Human settlement of the area dates back 6,000 years ago, as evidenced by [[Neolithic]] artifacts discovered in [[Stanley, Hong Kong|Stanley]], Hong Kong Island.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Antiquities and Monuments Office - Middle Neolithic (61) |url=https://www.amo.gov.hk/en/archaeology/prehistoric-period/middle-neolithic/index.html |access-date=2024-08-01 |website=www.amo.gov.hk}}</ref>

In 214 BC, the [[Qin dynasty]] defeated the [[Baiyue]], and absorbed areas of what is now [[Guangdong]], [[Guangxi]], and northern [[Vietnam]]. Hong Kong Island was part of the annexed land and was listed under the jurisdiction of Panyu County ({{lang|zh-Hant-HK|番禺縣}}) of the [[Nanhai Commandery]] ({{lang|zh-Hant-HK|南海郡}}). On the sixth year of the [[Eastern Jin dynasty]] (AD 331), Hong Kong Island was listed under the jurisdiction of [[Bao'an County|Baoan County]] ({{lang|zh-Hant-HK|寶安縣)}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapter 22 History |url=https://www.yearbook.gov.hk/2018/en/pdf/E22.pdf |access-date=1 August 2024 |website=Hong Kong Yearbook}}</ref>

Copper coins from the [[Sui dynasty|Sui]], [[Tang dynasty|Tang]] and [[Song dynasty]] were unearthed in where the [[Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club]] is presently located at, on where [[Kellett Island]] would have been prior to the [[land reclamation]] connecting the island to [[Causeway Bay]] in 1969. This suggests that during these periods of times, the island already had its own commercial activity. Song dynasty copper coins served as universal currency in transregional trade.<ref>{{Cite book |title=港島東區風物志}}</ref>

During the [[Wanli Era|Wanli period]] of the [[Ming dynasty]] (1573), Hong Kong Island belonged to the territory of [[Xin'an County (Bao'an)|Xin'an County]], and remained so until 1661, when the [[Great Clearance|great clearance]] was issued by the [[Shunzhi Emperor]] of the [[Qing dynasty]], forcing residents in coastal areas of [[Guangdong]], [[Fujian]], [[Zhejiang]], [[Jiangnan]], and [[Shandong]] to move in-land, to prevent the loyalists of the [[Ming dynasty]] in [[Formosa]] from approaching the shores of the Mainland and seek help from residents of the coastal areas.<ref name=":1" />

The ban was lifted when the remnants of the Ming dynasty were exterminated in 1669, though not many original residents of Hong Kong Island returned to the area.<ref name=":1">{{cite web| title=Hong Kong and the Centuries Old Story|url= https://mediakron.bc.edu/edges/hong-kong-and-the-century-old-story}}</ref> Piracy was rampant in the area until the island was ceded to the [[United Kingdom]] in 1842.<ref>{{cite web| title=HONG KONG THE PIRATE CAPITAL - PART I: THE BEGINNING|date=18 October 2017 |url=https://zolimacitymag.com/hong-kong-the-pirate-capital-part-i-the-beginning/|last1=Kilpatrick|first1=Ryan|website=Zolima CityMag}}</ref>

=== British colony ===
{{Main|History of Hong Kong (1800s–1930s)}}

Following the [[First Opium War]] (1839–1842), Hong Kong Island was ceded to Great Britain in 1842 under the [[Treaty of Nanking]] and the territory became a [[Crown colony]]. At the time, the island's population was only 7,450.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Population of Hong Kong|url=http://www.cicred.org/Eng/Publications/pdf/c-c21.pdf|last=Fan|first=Shuh Ching|date=21 December 1974|publisher=Department of Statistics, University of Hong Kong}}</ref>

==== Japanese invasion and occupation ====
The [[Second World War]] was a dark period for Hong Kong. In the 1930s, the British anticipated a Japanese attack on Hong Kong. As [[Wong Nai Chung Gap]] was a strategically important location of defence, large-scale defensive works were constructed there, including [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft batteries]], [[howitzer]]s and [[machine gun]] nests.

The [[Battle of Hong Kong]] began on 8 December 1941. [[British Army|British]], [[Canadian Army|Canadian]] and [[Indian Army during World War II|Indian]] armies and the [[Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers)|Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Forces]] resisted the Japanese invasion commanded by [[Sakai Takashi]], which began eight hours after the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]]. However, the Japanese took control of the Hong Kong skies on the first day of attack and outnumbered the defenders, which retreated from the [[Gin Drinkers Line]] and consequently from [[Kowloon]] under heavy aerial bombardment and artillery barrage.

On 18 December, the Japanese had conquered [[North Point]], reaching the [[Wong Nai Chung Gap]] on the following day. British forces and the [[The Winnipeg Grenadiers|Canadian Winnipeg Grenadiers]] vigorously defended the crucial point of Wong Nai Chung Gap, and for a while successfully secured the passage between Central and the secluded southern parts of the island. Japanese casualties were about 600. However, Allied forces there were ultimately defeated by the Japanese on 23 December, and [[Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park|Wong Nai Chung Reservoir]] was lost. As [[Wan Chai Gap]] had also fallen that same day, the British surrendered.

Hong Kong surrendered to the Japanese on 25 December 1941, thereafter often called "[[Black Christmas (Hong Kong)|Black Christmas]]" by locals as the surrender was on Christmas. The [[Governor of Hong Kong]], [[Mark Aitchison Young|Mark Young]], surrendered in-person at the temporary Japanese headquarters, on the third floor of the [[The Peninsula Hong Kong|Peninsula Hotel]], thus beginning the [[Japanese occupation of Hong Kong]]. [[Rensuke Isogai|Isogai Rensuke]] became the first Japanese governor of Hong Kong. [[Hyperinflation|Hyper-inflation]] and [[food rationing]] followed; and the Japanese declared [[Hong Kong dollar|Hong Kong Dollars]] illegal. The Japanese enforced a [[repatriation]] policy throughout the period of occupation due to the scarcity of food and the possible counter-attack of the Allies. As a result, the unemployed were deported to the [[mainland China|Mainland]], and the population of Hong Kong had dwindled from 1.6 million in 1941 to 600,000 in 1945.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Other Hong Kong Report 1989|author=T. L. Tsim|publisher=Chinese University Press|date=Jan 1, 1989|page=391}}</ref>

==== Post Second World War ====
The population of Hong Kong Island grew exponentially after the [[World War II|Second World War]] and the [[Communist revolution in China]]. It became apparent that the lands in the old Central District were insufficient to accommodate the population. Many undeveloped or underdeveloped areas Hong Kong Island such as [[North Point]], [[Shau Kei Wan]], [[Aberdeen, Hong Kong|Aberdeen]] and [[Wong Chuk Hang]] began its development and urbanisation. These areas initially started off as industrialised areas, with some areas such as [[Quarry Bay]], [[Wan Chai]] and [[Causeway Bay]] later becoming new commercial centres when Hong Kong moved away from its [[Manufacturing in Hong Kong#Industrialisation|period of industrialisation]], as these areas provided relatively cheaper rent than the traditional commercial district of Central.<ref>{{cite web|title=Business districts of Hong Kong|url=https://www.hongkongofficerental.com/business-districts|website=Hong Kong Office Rental|publisher=The New Office Network Ltd}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Grade A office: Leveraging Hong Kong's business districts |url=https://www.colliers.com/download-article?itemId=a9cf6bf4-554f-434f-87bb-adf3136d7529|date=7 December 2022|publisher=Colliers|access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref>

On 1 July 1997, the sovereignty of Hong Kong Island was [[Handover of Hong Kong|transferred to the People's Republic of China]] alongside [[Kowloon Peninsula]] and the [[New Territories]], ending 156 years of British rule on Hong Kong Island.

== Administration, suburbs and localities ==

Despite Hong Kong Island being an island, it is not part of the [[Islands District]]. Four [[districts of Hong Kong]] are located on the island:
[[File:Government Secretariat (Hong Kong) view in Tamar Park-August 2018.jpg|thumb|[[Central Government Complex (Hong Kong)|Central Government Complex]] in [[Tamar, Hong Kong|Tamar]], [[Central, Hong Kong|Central]]]]

=== [[Central and Western District]] ===
* [[Central, Hong Kong|Central]] (<small>[[Admiralty, Hong Kong|Admiralty]],</small> [[Tamar, Hong Kong|<small>Tamar</small>]])
* [[:zh:大小青洲|Green Island and Little Green Island]]
* [[Lung Fu Shan]] ([[University of Hong Kong|<small>University of Hong Kong</small>]])
* [[Mid-Levels]] (West and Central) ([[SoHo, Hong Kong|<small>SoHo</small>]])
* [[Mount Davis, Hong Kong|Mount Davis]]
* [[Sai Wan]] (<small>[[Sai Ying Pun]], [[Shek Tong Tsui|Shek Tong Tsui (Belcher Point)]] and [[Kennedy Town]])</small>
* [[Sheung Wan]]
* [[Victoria Peak]]

[[File:Tai Hang Fire Dragon 5.gif|thumb|[[Tai Hang fire dragon dance|Tai Hang Fire Dragon]] performance in [[Tai Hang]], [[Causeway Bay]]]]

=== [[Wan Chai District]] ===
* [[Causeway Bay]] (<small>[[Tai Hang]], [[Tin Hau, Hong Kong|Tin Hau]] and [[Victoria Park (Hong Kong)|Victoria Park]]</small>)
* [[Happy Valley, Hong Kong|Happy Valley]]
* [[Jardine's Lookout]]
* [[So Kon Po]]
* [[Mid-Levels]] (East)
* [[Wan Chai]]

[[File:Hong Kong Isnald Eastern District Buildings 200909.jpg|right|thumb|[[Kornhill]] and [[Shau Kei Wan]], located in the northern part of [[Eastern District, Hong Kong|Eastern District]]]]

=== [[Eastern District, Hong Kong|Eastern District]] ===
* [[Braemar Hill]]
* [[Chai Wan]] ([[Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital|<small>Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital</small>]])
* [[Fortress Hill]]
* [[Mid-Levels]] (North)
* [[North Point]]
* [[Shau Kei Wan]]
* [[Siu Sai Wan]]
* [[Quarry Bay]] (<small>[[Taikoo Shing]], [[Kornhill]]</small>)
[[File:repulsebay.jpg|right|thumb|A view of [[Middle Island, Hong Kong|Middle Island]] (foreground) and [[Repulse Bay]] (background) from the [[Ocean Park Hong Kong|Ocean Park]] cable car ride in the [[Southern District, Hong Kong|Southern District]]]]

=== [[Southern District, Hong Kong|Southern District]] ===
* [[Aberdeen, Hong Kong|Aberdeen]]
* [[Ap Lei Chau]]{{NoteTag|The island is part of the Southern District but is geographically separated from Hong Kong Island.}}
* [[Big Wave Bay, Hong Kong Island|Big Wave Bay]]
* [[Cyberport]]
* [[Pok Fu Lam]] ([[Queen Mary Hospital (Hong Kong)|<small>Queen Mary Hospital</small>]], <small>[[Sandy Bay, Hong Kong|Sandy Bay]]</small>)
* [[Repulse Bay]]
* [[Shek O]]
* [[Stanley, Hong Kong|Stanley]]
* [[Tai Tam]]
* [[Tin Wan]]
* [[Wong Chuk Hang]] (<small>[[Ocean Park Hong Kong|Ocean Park]])</small>

===Legislative Council Constituencies===
Since 2021, [[Hong Kong Island West (2021 constituency)|Hong Kong Island West]] and [[Hong Kong Island East (2021 constituency)|Hong Kong Island East]] have been the two [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong#Geographical constituencies|Legislative Council geographical constituencies]] in Hong Kong Island.
Between 1997 and 2021, Hong Kong Island was [[Hong Kong Island (1998 constituency)|one geographical constituency of itself]]. <br> [[1995 Hong Kong legislative election|Between 1995 and 1997]] however, Hong Kong Island consisted of four geographical constituencies, with them being [[Hong Kong Island Central (1995 constituency)|Hong Kong Island Central]], [[Hong Kong Island East (1995 constituency)|Hong Kong Island East]], [[Hong Kong Island South (1995 constituency)|Hong Kong Island South]] and [[Hong Kong Island West (1995 constituency)#1995 Constituencies|Hong Kong Island West]].  In the [[1991 Hong Kong legislative election|previous council from 1991 to 1995]], Hong Kong Island consisted of two geographical constituencies, [[Hong Kong Island West (1991 constituency)|Hong Kong Island West]] and [[Hong Kong Island East (1991 constituency)|Hong Kong Island East]], similar to current arrangements.

==Island Landscape==
{{wide image|Hong Kong Island Panorama (2).jpg|1200px|Hong Kong Island Panorama}}
{{wide image|Hong Kong at night.jpg|1200px|Hong Kong Island at night}}

==Geography==
[[File:HK Island 1840.jpg|thumb|Hong Kong Island in 1840 by Stoddart R.N.]]
Hong Kong Island is the second-largest island of the territory, the largest being [[Lantau Island]]. Its area is {{convert|78.59|km2|abbr=on}}, including {{convert|6.98|km2|abbr=on}} of [[Land reclamation in Hong Kong|land reclaimed]] since 1887 and some smaller scale ones since 1851. It makes up approximately 7% of the total territory. It is separated from the mainland of the territory ([[Kowloon Peninsula]] and [[New Territories]]) by the [[Victoria Harbour]].

=== Mountains, peaks and hills ===
Most hills across the middle of the island are included within the [[Conservation in Hong Kong#Country parks|country parks]].

{{Main article|List of mountains, peaks and hills in Hong Kong}}
{| class="sortable wikitable"
!Name
!Height (in metres)
!Country Park
!District
|-
|[[Victoria Peak]] {{NoteTag|Named after [[British monarch]] [[Queen Victoria]], it is also known as Mount Austin, named after former [[Director of Audit (Hong Kong)|Auditor General]], [[Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong|Colonial Secretary]] and [[Administrator of Hong Kong]] [[John Gardiner Austin]] and is known locally as The Peak. Victoria Peak was once a volcano}}
|552
|[[Pok Fu Lam Country Park]]
|[[Central and Western District]]
|-
|[[Mount Parker (Hong Kong)|Mount Parker]] {{Notetag|Named after [[Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)|Admiral of the Fleet]] [[Sir William Parker, 1st Baronet, of Shenstone]]}}
|532
|[[Tai Tam Country Park]]
|[[Eastern District, Hong Kong|Eastern District]]
|-
|[[Mount Kellett]] {{Notetag|Named after [[Admiral (Royal Navy)|Admiral]] [[Henry Kellett|Sir Henry Kellett]]}}
|501
!
| rowspan="3" |Central and Western District
|-
|[[High West]]
|494
|Pok Fu Lam Country Park
|-
|[[Mount Gough]]{{Notetag|Named after [[Field marshal (United Kingdom)|Field Marshal]] [[Hugh Gough, 1st Viscount Gough]], [[British people|British]] [[Commander-in-Chief, China]] and [[Commander-in-Chief, India]]}}
|479
!
|-
|[[Mount Cameron (Hong Kong)|Mount Cameron]] {{Notetag|Named after [[British Army]] [[General (British Army)|General]] [[William Gordon Cameron|Sir William Gordon Cameron]], former [[Governor of Hong Kong|Administrator of Hong Kong]]}}
|439
|[[Aberdeen Country Park]]
|[[Wan Chai District]]
|-
|[[Mount Butler]]
|436
| rowspan="3" |Tai Tam Country Park
|Eastern District
|-
|[[Violet Hill (Hong Kong)|Violet Hill]]
| rowspan="2" |433
|[[Southern District, Hong Kong|Southern District]]
|-
|[[Jardine's Lookout]]{{Notetag| Named after British merchant [[William Jardine (merchant)|William Jardine]] and [[Hong (business)|Hong]] [[Jardine Matheson]]}}
| rowspan="2" |Wan Chai District
|-
|[[Mount Nicholson]] {{NoteTag|Named after [[Lieutenant]] [[W.C.A. Nicholson]], [[Royal Hong Kong Regiment|Hong Kong Volunteer Corps]] [[Adjutant]]}}
|430
|[[Aberdeen Country Park]]
|-
|[[Siu Ma Shan]]
|424
| rowspan="3" |Tai Tam Country Park
|Eastern District
|-
|[[The Twins, Hong Kong|The Twins South]]
|386
| rowspan="4" |Southern District
|-
|[[The Twins, Hong Kong|The Twins North]]
|363
|-
|[[Mount Collinson]]
|348
| rowspan="2" |[[Shek O Country Park]]
|-
|[[D'Aguilar Peak]]{{Notetag|Named after [[British Army]] [[Major general (United Kingdom)|Major-General]] [[George Charles D'Aguilar|Sir George Charles D'Aguilar]], Former [[Lieutenant Governor of Hong Kong]]}}
|325
|-
|[[Pottinger Peak]]{{Notetag|Named after [[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]] [[Henry Pottinger|Sir Henry Pottinger]], 1st [[Governor of Hong Kong]] and former [[East India Company]] [[Colonel]]}}
|312
! rowspan="3" |
|Eastern District
|-
|[[Brick Hill (Hong Kong)|Brick Hill]]{{Notetag|Also known as Nam Long Shan}}
|284
|Southern District
|-
|[[Mount Davis, Hong Kong|Mount Davis]]{{Notetag|Named after [[John Francis Davis|Sir John Francis Davis]], 2nd [[Governor of Hong Kong]]}}
|269
| rowspan="2" |Central and Western District
|-
|[[Lung Fu Shan]]{{Notetag|Also known as Hill Above Belcher's }}
|253
|[[Lung Fu Shan Country Park]]
|-
|[[Braemar Hill]]{{Notetag| Likely named after the Scottish village of [[Braemar]] by British officials}}
|200
! rowspan="5" |
|Eastern District
|-
|[[Shouson Hill]]{{Notetag|Named after [[Shouson Chow|Sir Chow Shouson]], Senior official in the [[Qing dynasty]] and later prominent businessman and politician in Hong Kong}}
|140
|Southern District
|-
|[[Leighton Hill]]
|
| rowspan="3" |Wan Chai District
|-
|[[Morrison Hill]] {{NoteTag|Named after [[John Robert Morrison]], Chinese interpreter and [[British people|British]] linguist and Colonial Secretary. The hill was levelled Praya at the time of the Praya East Reclamation Scheme in the 1920s which used its constituent rock/earth to reclaim land from the harbour, extending the shoreline away from the area.}}
|
|-
|[[Mount Parish]]{{Notetag|Named after [[Commodore (rank)|Commodore]] [[John E. Parish]], Naval Officer commanding of [[China Station]] between 1873 and 1876}}
|
|}

=== Hiking trail ===
The main hiking trail on Hong Kong Island is the [[Hong Kong Trail]], which is 50 kilometers long and is divided into 8 sections. The trail starts in [[Victoria Gap]] on the peak and ends in [[Big Wave Bay, Hong Kong Island|Big Wave Bay]]. Sections 1 and 2 of the [[Wilson Trail]] across the New Territories of Hong Kong and Kowloon also passes through [[Tai Tam Country Park]] and its [[Tai Tam Country Park (Quarry Bay Extension)|Quarry Bay Extension]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Digital Map|url= https://www.ofca.gov.hk/en/consumer_focus/guide/safety/country_parks/coverage_survey/digital_map/index.html|website=Office of Communications Authority}}</ref>

=== Marine reserve ===
{{Main|Cape D'Aguilar Marine Reserve}}
The only [[marine reserve]] in Hong Kong, the [[Cape D'Aguilar Marine Reserve]], is located on the southern tip of the island in [[Cape D'Aguilar]]. It was opened in July 1996 and has a sea area of approximately 20 hectares. The reserve was set up for the purpose of the conservation of marine resources, scientific studies and education for the appreciation of precious marine resources. Visits to the marine reserve by the public is discouraged, with water sports and costal recreational activities prohibited in the area. It is managed by the [[Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Cape D'Aguilar Marine Reserve|url=https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_mar/cou_vis_mar_des/cou_vis_mar_des_cap.html|website=Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department}}</ref>

=== Beaches ===
Many public beaches are also located in the Southern District of Hong Kong Island, which being the [[Deep Water Bay]], [[Repulse Bay]], [[Middle Bay (Hong Kong)|Middle Bay]], [[South Bay, Hong Kong|South Bay]], [[Chung Hom Kok Beach]], [[St. Stephen's Beach]], [[Stanley Main Beach]], [[Hairpin Beach|Hair Pin Beach]], [[Turtle Cove Beach]], [[Shek O]], and [[Big Wave Bay, Hong Kong Island|Big Wave Bay]]. These are all popular locations for water sports and activities. Public beaches are managed by the [[Leisure and Cultural Services Department]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Information of Beaches|url= https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/index/beach-location-hk/beach-address-south.html|website=Leisure and Cultural Services Department}}</ref> {{wide image|Repulsebaypano.jpg|1000|Repulse Bay at night}}

== Declared Monuments ==
{{Main article|Declared monuments of Hong Kong}}
Due to the early development of Hong Kong Island, many historical buildings can be found there.

=== Central and Western District ===

==== Government Building ====

* [[Hong Kong City Hall]]
* The Exterior of the [[Old Supreme Court Building, Hong Kong|Old Supreme Court]]
* [[Flagstaff House, Hong Kong|Flagstaff House]]
* [[Government House, Hong Kong|Government House]]
* [[Gate Lodge]] of the [[Mountain Lodge|Former Mountain Lodge]]
* [[Central Police Station, Hong Kong|Central Police Station]] Compound
* [[Former Central Magistracy]]
* [[Victoria Prison]] Compound
* [[The Cenotaph (Hong Kong)|The Cenotaph]]
* [[Western Market]]
* [[Green Island Lighthouse Compound]]
* The facade of the [[Sai Ying Pun Community Complex|Old Mental Hospital]]

==== Educational Institute ====

* The Exterior of the [[Main Building of the University of Hong Kong|Main Building]], the [[University of Hong Kong]]
* The Exterior of [[Hung Hing Ying Building]], the [[University of Hong Kong]]
* The Exterior of [[University of Hong Kong#Tang Chi Ngong Building|Tang Chi Ngong Building]], the [[University of Hong Kong]]
* The Exterior of Fung Ping Shan Building, the [[University of Hong Kong]]
* The Exterior of Eliot Hall, the [[University of Hong Kong]]
* The Exterior of May Hall, the [[University of Hong Kong]]
* Main Building of [[St. Stephen's Girls' College]]
* [[King's College, Hong Kong|King's College]]
* North and West Blocks of [[St. Joseph's College, Hong Kong|St. Joseph's College]]
* [[Bonham Road Government Primary School]]

==== Religious Building ====

* [[St. John's Cathedral (Hong Kong)|St. John's Cathedral]]
* [[Jamia Mosque (Hong Kong)|Jamia Mosque]]
* [[Man Mo Temple#Sheung Wan|Man Mo Temple]] Compound

===== Others =====

* [[Duddell Street]] Steps and Gas Lamps
* [[Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum|Kom Tong Hall]]
* [[Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences|Old Pathological Institute]]
* [[Former French Mission Building]]
* [[The Helena May main building|The Helena May Main Building]]

=== Wan Chai District ===

==== Government Building ====

* [[Old Wan Chai Post Office]]

==== Religious Building ====

* [[Tin Hau Temple, Causeway Bay|Tin Hau Temple]]
* [[Lin Fa Temple]]
* [[Wan Chai Pak Tai Temple|Yuk Hui Temple]]
* [[Tung Lin Kok Yuen]]

==== Others ====

* [[The Race Course Fire Memorial]]
* [[King Yin Lei]]

=== Eastern District ===

* [[Law Uk Folk Museum|Law Uk Hakka House]]
* Block 7, 10 and 25 of the old [[Lei Yue Mun Barracks]]
* Rock Carving at [[Cape Collinson]]

=== Southern District ===

==== Government Building ====

* [[Old Stanley Police Station]]
* [[Cape D'Aguilar#Cape D.27Aguilar Lighthouse|Cape D'Aguilar Lighthouse]]
* The Masonry Bridge of [[Pok Fu Lam Reservoir]]
* 6 Historic Structures of [[Pok Fu Lam Reservoir]]
* [[Tai Tam Waterworks Heritage Trail|22 Historic Structures]] of [[Tai Tam Reservoirs|Tai Tam Group of Reservoirs]]
* 3 Historic Structures of [[Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park|Wong Nai Chung Reservoir]]
* 4 Historic Structures of [[Aberdeen Reservoir]]

==== Educational Institute ====

* The Exterior of [[University Hall (University of Hong Kong)|University Hall]], the [[University of Hong Kong]]
* School House of [[St. Stephen's College, Hong Kong|St. Stephen's College]]

==== Religious Building ====

* [[Hung Shing Temple]]

==== Others ====

* Rock Carvings at [[Big Wave Bay, Hong Kong Island|Big Wave Bay]]
* Rock Carvings at [[Wong Chuk Hang]]
* [[Tung Wah Coffin Home]]
* [[Béthanie (Hong Kong)|Béthanie]]

==Demographics==
As of 2023, the population of Hong Kong Island is approximately 1,188,500, making up approximately 15.8% of the 7,536,100 in [[Hong Kong]]. Its population density is higher than the whole of [[Hong Kong]], c. 18,000 per km<sup>2</sup>. However, the population is heavily concentrated along the northern shore. The combined population of Central and Western, Wan Chai, and Eastern is 925,200, giving this urbanised part of the island a density of around 22,500 per km<sup>2</sup>, or 58,000 per mi<sup>2</sup>, in its approximately {{convert|41.3|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Table 110-06841 : Mid-year Population by District Council district |url=https://www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/web_table.html?id=110-06841#110-06841_1 |access-date=26 July 2024 |website=Census and Statistics Department}}</ref>

The residents living in the Central and Western District and Wan Chai District have the highest median household income compared with the other districts in Hong Kong. Affluent districts on Hong Kong Island are [[Victoria Peak|The Peak]], Western Mid-Levels ([[Conduit Road]]/[[Robinson Road, Hong Kong|Robinson Road]]/[[Magazine Gap Road]]/[[Kotewall Road]] etc.), Eastern Mid-Levels ([[Happy Valley, Hong Kong|Happy Valley]]/[[Tai Hang]]/[[Jardine's Lookout]]), [[Tai Tam]], [[Deep Water Bay]] and [[Repulse Bay]].

As of 2021, 85% of Hong Kong Island's residents are of [[Chinese peoples|Chinese]] descent. The largest ethnic minority groups are [[Filipinos in Hong Kong|Filipino]]s (5.6%), [[Indonesians in Hong Kong|Indonesian]]s (2.6%), and [[White people]] (2.5%) <ref name=":0"/>

As of 2021, 80.4% of Hong Kong Island's residents use [[Cantonese language|Cantonese]] as their usual language, while 10.6% use [[English language|English]] and 3.3% use [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]]. 2.8% of the residents use [[Chinese dialects]] other than [[Cantonese language|Cantonese]] and [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] as their usual language and 2.9% use languages not listed above as their usual language.<ref name=":0" />

==Transportation==
[[File:Admiralty Station 2018 01 part1.jpg|thumb|[[Admiralty station (MTR)|Admiralty MTR station]], the interchange station between the {{rcb|MTR|Tsuen Wan|yes}}, {{rcb|MTR|Island|yes}}, {{rcb|MTR|East Rail|yes}}, and {{rcb|MTR|South Island|yes}}]]{{Main article|Transport in Hong Kong}}

===Rail===
Seven of the [[MTR]] rapid transit system's ten lines service Hong Kong Island. The [[Island line (MTR)|Island line]] and [[South Island line]] run exclusively on the four districts of Hong Kong Island, with the Island line serving the north shore at 17 stations, and the South Island line connecting four stations on [[Ap Lei Chau]] and in [[Wong Chuk Hang]] to the north shore at [[Admiralty station (MTR)|Admiralty station]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Highways Department – Island Line |url=https://www.hyd.gov.hk/en/road_and_railway/existing/railway_network/isl/index.html |website=www.hyd.gov.hk |publisher=[[Highways Department]] of the [[Government of Hong Kong]] |access-date=8 January 2019 |archive-date=27 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427184224/https://www.hyd.gov.hk/en/road_and_railway/existing/railway_network/isl/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Highways Department – South Island Line (East) |url=https://www.hyd.gov.hk/en/road_and_railway/existing/railway_network/sile/index.html |website=www.hyd.gov.hk |publisher=[[Highways Department]] of the [[Government of Hong Kong]] |access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref> Five MTR lines – the [[Tsuen Wan line]], the [[Tseung Kwan O line]], the [[Tung Chung line]], the [[Airport Express (MTR)|Airport Express]] – connect the north shore with Kowloon and provide onward service to the [[New Territories]], and the [[East Rail line]] which provides another cross-harbour connection upon its extension from [[Hung Hom station]] to Admiralty station.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MTR > System Map |url=https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/system_map.html |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=www.mtr.com.hk |language=en}}</ref> In future, the planned [[North Island line]] infrastructure project would extend both the Tung Chung line and the Tseung Kwan O line to connect them to each other, forming a route parallel to the middle section of the Island line.

Two other rail systems, [[Hong Kong Tramways]] and the [[Peak Tram]], also run exclusively on Hong Kong Island. The former runs mostly parallel to the Island line between [[Kennedy Town]] and [[Shau Kei Wan]], with a loop linking [[Causeway Bay]] and [[Happy Valley, Hong Kong|Happy Valley]]; the latter is a [[funicular]] linking [[Central, Hong Kong|Central District]] to [[Victoria Peak]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hong Kong Tramways - Interactive Map |url=https://www.hktramways.com/en/interactive-map |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=www.hktramways.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Peak Tram {{!}} Hong Kong Tourism Board |url=https://www.discoverhongkong.com/in/interactive-map/peak-tram.html |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Discover Hong Kong |language=en}}</ref>

{{Multiple image
| direction         = horizontal
| image1            = MTR Island Line Geograpical Map.png
| image2            = MTR South Island Line Geograpical Map.png
| total_width       = 1200
| caption1          = [[Island line (MTR)|Island Line]]
| footer_align      = 
| align             = center
| caption2          = [[South Island line]]
| caption_align     = center
| header            = Geographically accurate maps
| perrow            = 2
| image3            = Hong Kong tramway map.png
| caption3          = [[Hong Kong Tramways]] and [[Peak Tram]]
}}

===Maritime Transport===
[[File:Northern Star Star Ferry Central to Tsim Sha Tsui 31-12-2022.jpg|thumb|An iconic ferry of the [[Star Ferry]] docked at the Central Ferry Pier]]
Hong Kong Island has four ferry terminals, them being the [[Central Ferry Piers]], [[North Point Ferry Pier]], [[Sai Wan Ho Ferry Pier]] and [[Wan Chai Ferry Pier]]. Frequently ferry services are provided from these piers to the Kowloon Peninsula and the outlying islands.<ref>{{cite web |title=FERRIES |url=https://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/ferries/index.html|publisher=Transport Department}}</ref> A departure terminal, the [[Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal]] is located in Sheung Wan to provide turbojet ferry services to [[Macau]].<ref>{{cite web |title=HONG KONG MACAU FERRY TERMINUS|url=https://www.turbojet.com.hk/en/routing-sailing-schedule/terminals/hong-kong-macau-ferry-terminal.aspx|publisher=Turbo Jet}}</ref>

A tourist sightseeing ferry service, branded as the "Water Taxi" is also offered. The ferry service travels in the Victoria Harbour to sightseeing attractions of Hong Kong, such as the [[Hong Kong Observation Wheel]], [[International Finance Centre (Hong Kong)|International Financial Centre]], [[Tsim Sha Tsui]] Promenade, [[West Kowloon Cultural District]] and [[Kai Tak Cruise Terminal]]. It has 4 drop off points.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us|url= https://www.hongkongwatertaxi.com.hk/en/|publisher=Hong Kong Water Taxi}}</ref>

Public piers are also alongside the Victoria Harbour, such as the famous now-demolished [[Queen's Pier]] in Central and now-relocated [[Blake Pier at Stanley|Blake Pier]] in Stanley, which mainly provides passenger pick-up and drop-off services for small barges, yachts and sightseeing boats. Public piers are located mainly along the Victoria Harbour mainly in Causeway Bay, Central, Shau Kei Wan, Wan Chai, and also in Aberdeen, Ap Lei Chau and Stanley, places in the Southern District.<ref>{{cite web |title=Public Piers maintained by CEDD|url= https://www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/about-us/organisation/ceo/pwd/port-main/public_piers/index.html|publisher=Civil Engineering and Development Department}}</ref>

===Roads===
Major roads on Hong Kong Island include [[Connaught Road]], [[Des Voeux Road]], [[King's Road (Hong Kong)|King's Road]], [[Queen's Road, Hong Kong|Queen's Road]].

===Tunnels===
[[File:Cross Harbour Tunnel 05-11-2022(2).jpg|thumb|Hong Kong Island portal of the [[Cross-Harbour Tunnel]], one of the tunnels linking Hong Kong Island and the [[Kowloon Peninsula]]]]
Hong Kong Island is connected to the [[Kowloon Peninsula]] on the mainland by two road-only [[tunnel]]s (the [[Cross-Harbour Tunnel]] and the [[Western Harbour Crossing]]), three MTR railway tunnels ([[East Rail line]], [[Tsuen Wan line]] and [[Tung Chung line]]/[[Airport Express (MTR)|Airport Express]]) and one combined road and MTR rail link tunnel ([[Eastern Harbour Crossing]], containing the [[Tseung Kwan O line]] and road traffic in separate parallel conduits).

Besides these harbour crossing tunnels, Hong Kong Island also has two tunnels travelling across the island itself, the [[Aberdeen Tunnel]] and [[Central–Wan Chai Bypass]], which were opened in March 1982 and January 2019 respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Road Tunnels of Hong Kong |url=https://www.hyd.gov.hk/en/information_corner/hyd_factsheets/doc/e_Road_Tunnels_of_HK.pdf |website=Highways Department}}</ref>

The Aberdeen Tunnel provides a link from [[Happy Valley, Hong Kong|Happy Valley]] and [[Wong Chuk Hang]], with the toll fee being HK$5.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transport Department - Toll Rates of Road Tunnels |url=https://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/tunnels_and_bridges_n/toll_matters/toll_rates_of_road_tunnels_and_lantau_link/index.html |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=www.td.gov.hk}}</ref>

The Central–Wan Chai Bypass provides a link from [[Sheung Wan]] to [[Wan Chai North]] and the [[Island Eastern Corridor|Eastern Corridor]] beyond [[Causeway Bay]]. It was built as part of the [[Central and Wan Chai Reclamation]] and is part of [[Route 4 (Hong Kong)|Route 4]]. The bypass is toll-free.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Highways Department - Central - Wan Chai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link |url=https://www.hyd.gov.hk/en/our_projects/road_projects/6579th/index.html |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=www.hyd.gov.hk}}</ref>

===Bridges===
[[File:Victoriaharbourbridge.jpg|thumb|A picture of a simulated model of a proposed bridge over the [[Victoria Harbour]] from the 1950s]]
There are no bridges between the island and Kowloon, although two bridges – the [[Ap Lei Chau Bridge]], a road bridge, and [[Aberdeen Channel Bridge]], part of the South Island line – connect the Hong Kong island to [[Ap Lei Chau]].

The Ap Lei Chau Bridge is a combination of two bridges, built separately in 1980 and 1994. It was built to accommodate the growing population in Ap Lei Chau, which the residents could only access the island by boats prior to the construction of the bridge.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Highways Department - Roads in Hong Kong Island |url=https://www.hyd.gov.hk/en/road_and_railway/road_network/hk.html |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=www.hyd.gov.hk}}</ref>

=== Central-Mid Levels escalator and walkway system ===
{{Main article|Central–Mid-Levels escalator}}
[[File:Central-Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System 2017.jpg|thumb|An uphill-running escalator of the [[Central–Mid-Levels escalator|Central-Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System]] ]]
The [[Central–Mid-Levels escalator|Central-Mid Levels escalator and walkway system]] is the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world. It was opened in 1993 to provide relief to traffic in the [[Mid-Levels]]. It travels from [[Queen's Road Central]] to [[Conduit Road]], with the total horizontal distance being over 800&nbsp;m (2,600&nbsp;ft) and total vertical distance being over 135&nbsp;m (443&nbsp;ft). It consists of covered walkways, 16 reversible one-way escalators and 3 reversible one-way travelators. Restaurants, bars and shops can be found alongside the system. In addition to providing transportation, it is a tourist attraction for many visiting Hong Kong. As of late 2016, around 78,000 pedestrians make their trips using the system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HILLSIDE ESCALATOR |url=https://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/pedestrians/hillside_escalator/index.html |access-date=24 July 2024 |website=Transport Department of Hong Kong}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Hong Kong|Islands}}
* [[Conservation in Hong Kong]]
* [[List of islands and peninsulas of Hong Kong]]
* [[List of places in Hong Kong]]
* [[List of streets and roads in Hong Kong]]
* [[List of islands by population density]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Hong Kong Island}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061231113112/http://hkclweb.hkpl.gov.hk/doc/internet/cht/cnt_highlight.html Map of Hong Kong in 1844]

{{Islands of Hong Kong}}
{{Hong Kong Urban Areas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hong Kong Island| ]]
[[Category:Islands of Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Populated places in Hong Kong]]