stanley, hong kong

Stanley (赤柱; lit. "red pillar") is a village and tourist attraction on the south of Hong Kong Island and part of the Southern District, Hong Kong. It is located east of Repulse Bay and west of Shek O.

Name

The original Chinese name of the village was believed to be based on a big tall cotton tree (Bombax malabaricum, Bombax ceiba 木棉樹) often covered with bright red blossoms at the time. It was given an English name based on Lord Stanley, 19th-century British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies.

History

Stanley was briefly the administrative centre when Hong Kong Island was colonised in 1842, before Victoria City was founded. Stanley was the location where the British garrison in Hong Kong was defeated by the advancing Japanese troops in December 1941. The former British barracks at Stanley is now occupied by the People's Liberation Army, after Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997.

Attractions

Stanley is famous for its beach with BBQ areas, Stanley Market, the 2001 opened Stanley Plaza with the historic Murray House, which was transferred from Central.

Murray House

Main article: Murray House Once a government building in Central, the facade has been put in a warehouse in about 1985 and has been rebuilt in Stanley and opened in 2000. It includes a mini museum introducing the history of the House and several restaurants.

Stanley Plaza

Adjacent to Murray House, opened in 2001, it includes shopping arcade and community theatre. It is owned by Hong Kong Housing Authority.

Others

The Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum is located in Stanley.
The Old Stanley Police Station is a declared monument of Hong Kong.

Transportation

Stanley is served by Repulse Bay Road and Tai Tam Road.