Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 22°17′24″N 114°08′42″E / 22.29°N 114.145°E / 22.29; 114.145
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As a part of a city that places strong emphasise on [[Feng Shui]] in architecture
As a part of a city that places strong emphasise on [[Feng Shui]] in architecture
<ref>https://www.theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/6-times-feng-shui-influenced-hong-kongs-skyline/%3famp=1</ref><ref>
<ref>https://www.theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/6-times-feng-shui-influenced-hong-kongs-skyline/%3famp=1</ref><ref>
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20201201-why-is-hong-kong-so-superstitious</ref>, due to resemblance of a snakehead ([[West Kowloon Cultural District]]) extending its tongue ([[Western Harbour Tunnel]]) to engulf the statue representing [[Kuo Ming Tang]] (and by extension [[Taiwan]]), the park had been enlisted by [[Urban Legend]] [[conspiracy]] theorists as malevolant political [[Feng Shui]] architecture, amongst other 'serpentine' structures including [[Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge]], Central Wan Chai Bypass, [[Kai Tak Cruise Terminal]], and [[Ngong Ping]] "Wisdom Path” Heart Sutra Display. <ref>https://matters.news/@NielNiel/%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E6%AF%92%E8%9B%87%E9%99%A3-bafyreiey76yzvknrq6us3gcamp65g7bzendny72ssafkbivtnamlniyqty</ref>
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20201201-why-is-hong-kong-so-superstitious</ref>, due to resemblance of a snakehead ([[West Kowloon Cultural District]]) extending its tongue ([[Western Harbour Tunnel]]) to engulf the statue representing [[Kuo Ming Tang]] (and by extension [[Taiwan]]), the park had been enlisted by [[Urban Legend]] [[conspiracy]] theorists as malevolent political [[Feng Shui]] architecture, amongst other 'serpentine' structures including [[Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge]], Central Wan Chai Bypass, [[Kai Tak Cruise Terminal]], and [[Ngong Ping]] "Wisdom Path” Heart Sutra Display. <ref>https://matters.news/@NielNiel/%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E6%AF%92%E8%9B%87%E9%99%A3-bafyreiey76yzvknrq6us3gcamp65g7bzendny72ssafkbivtnamlniyqty</ref>
<ref>https://kyliecthapthong.medium.com/%E9%97%9C%E6%96%BC%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E7%9A%84%E9%A2%A8%E6%B0%B4%E9%99%A3-%E5%A4%9A%E5%9C%96-b5d45efd7f2</ref>
<ref>https://kyliecthapthong.medium.com/%E9%97%9C%E6%96%BC%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E7%9A%84%E9%A2%A8%E6%B0%B4%E9%99%A3-%E5%A4%9A%E5%9C%96-b5d45efd7f2</ref>


Revision as of 10:56, 14 February 2021

Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park
中山紀念公園
Statue of Sun Yat-sen
Map
LocationSai Ying Pun, Hong Kong
Area4.1 hectares
Opened1991
Operated byLeisure and Cultural Services Department
Public transit accessTram stop (160 m)
Sai Ying Pun Station (300 m)
Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park
Traditional Chinese中山紀念公園
Western Park
Traditional Chinese西區公園

Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park is a waterfront park in the Sai Ying Pun area of Hong Kong Island, facing Victoria Harbour. The park is named after Sun Yat Sen, and is the only one in Hong Kong named for a Chinese historic figure.[1]

History

Residents of Western had long lamented the limited recreation and leisure options in the district.[2] Two recreation projects on the Western reclamation near Sai Ying Pun were approved in the Urban Council Capital Works Programme 1986/87–1990/91: an indoor games hall (now the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre) and the original Western Park.[3] Only part of the site was originally released to the Urban Council since most of the land was required for the construction of the Western Harbour Crossing in the 1990s. Western Park, comprising two hectares, opened in 1991.[4]

Construction of the Western Park Sports Centre commenced in May 1992, and the facility opened on 22 May 1995.[5][6] It was renamed Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre on 1 June 2011.[6]

In 1999, the Provisional Urban Council approved the redevelopment of the park into a memorial park for Sun Yat-sen.[7] This opened in 2003, but only as a temporary park and still only occupying part of the waterfront reclamation.[8] The rest of the waterfront lands lay idle and fenced off, under the management of the Lands Department, following completion of the Western Harbour Crossing.[4] The park was criticised for failing to live up to its name, containing little more than a plaque quoting Dr. Sun.[8][9] Expansion of the park was planned, but delayed due to budgetary constraints.[9]

The expansion and redevelopment of the park was among 25 priority projects identified in the 2005 policy address.[4] The park closed on 28 March 2008 for reconstruction.[10] Phase one of the reconstructed park opened to the public on 26 June 2010.[11]

The Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Swimming Pool, which offers a 50-metre pool and a smaller teaching pool, opened on 30 November 2011.[12]

Features

Waterfront fountain and sculptures
Football pitch
  • Basketball courts (2)
  • Children's playground
  • Fitness stations
  • Football pitch (7-a-side)
  • Jogging track
  • Memorial lawn
  • Reflecting pool
  • Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre
    • Children's play room
    • Dance room
    • Fitness room
    • Gymnasium
    • Squash/table tennis rooms
  • Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Swimming Pool
    • Competition pool (50 metres)
    • Teaching pool
    • Spectator stand
    • Sunbathing area
  • Toilets
  • Waterfront promenade

Local Feng Shui superstitions

The Memorial park's statue is situated directly above the Western Harbour Tunnel (Toll Road) coming across the harbour from West Kowloon Cultural District.

As a part of a city that places strong emphasise on Feng Shui in architecture [13][14], due to resemblance of a snakehead (West Kowloon Cultural District) extending its tongue (Western Harbour Tunnel) to engulf the statue representing Kuo Ming Tang (and by extension Taiwan), the park had been enlisted by Urban Legend conspiracy theorists as malevolent political Feng Shui architecture, amongst other 'serpentine' structures including Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, Central Wan Chai Bypass, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, and Ngong Ping "Wisdom Path” Heart Sutra Display. [15] [16]

Conspiracy proponents believe snakes represent the current president who is under a Chinese Zodiac snake sign, or as an antagnoist of Dragon which energically toxifies the Victorian Harbour and devitalizes the city.

The antidote to the Feng Shui was said to be a collective practice of Virtue, and the worship of deities that rule over serpents. Xuanwu, who steps on a Tortoise (representing HKCEC) and a Serpent (representing serpentine Feng Shui structures), was said to be a candidate of the patriotic guardian of Hong Kong in this sense, coming from the Bun Festival belief in Lantau Island of the City. [17]

An architectural solution, as suggested from a local Feng Shui Master "Po Sin Lo See" [18] , was to convert the "Poisonous Snake Engulfing a Person" image into a "Spiritual Snake Presenting a Healing-Pearl" by simply adding a large halo-globe structure around the statue. The halo should glow, and dedicate its space for a theme of medicinal fungi or herbs. The new image shall bring healing and prosperity to the city of Hong Kong, while at the same time representing Sun Yat Sen's former practice of medicine prior to political career.

Another similar urban legend exsist regarding the blade-looking Bank of China (Hong Kong) Headquarters

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park.

References

  1. ^ Footer, Mark (20 April 2008). "A walk in the park". South China Morning Post.
  2. ^ "Western to have new park". South China Morning Post. 16 June 1986. p. 12.
  3. ^ 109CR Park on Western Reclamation, 105CR Indoor Games Hall on Western Reclamation. Urban Council. 20 February 1987.
  4. ^ a b c "LC Paper No. CB(2)2798/06-07(01)" (PDF). Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs. October 2007.
  5. ^ Monthly Report on Capital Projects Under Construction. Urban Council. 8 June 1992. p. 3.
  6. ^ a b "Indoor sports centres". Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  7. ^ Ng, Kang-Chung (20 November 1999). "Sun Yat-sen park plan wins approval". South China Morning Post. p. 4.
  8. ^ a b "Memorial park fails to live up to its name". South China Morning Post. 20 January 2003. p. 4.
  9. ^ a b "Sun Yat-sen deserves a fitting memorial". South China Morning Post. 12 November 2003.
  10. ^ "Temporary closure of Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park". Hong Kong Government. 28 March 2008.
  11. ^ Nip, Amy (27 June 2010). "University pushed over Sun statue". South China Morning Post.
  12. ^ "Two new LCSD heated swimming pools open today (with photos)". Hong Kong Government. 30 November 2011.
  13. ^ https://www.theculturetrip.com/asia/china/hong-kong/articles/6-times-feng-shui-influenced-hong-kongs-skyline/%3famp=1
  14. ^ http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20201201-why-is-hong-kong-so-superstitious
  15. ^ https://matters.news/@NielNiel/%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E6%AF%92%E8%9B%87%E9%99%A3-bafyreiey76yzvknrq6us3gcamp65g7bzendny72ssafkbivtnamlniyqty
  16. ^ https://kyliecthapthong.medium.com/%E9%97%9C%E6%96%BC%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E7%9A%84%E9%A2%A8%E6%B0%B4%E9%99%A3-%E5%A4%9A%E5%9C%96-b5d45efd7f2
  17. ^ https://m.facebook.com/buddhabuddyposin/posts/2378000339105725?locale2=es_LA
  18. ^ https://blog.stheadline.com/article/detail/1013011/%E5%AF%B6%E5%96%84%E8%80%81%E5%B8%AB%E6%8C%87%E9%BB%9E%E6%B1%9F%E5%B1%B1-%E6%95%99%E5%A6%82%E4%BD%95%E7%A0%B4%E8%A7%A3%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E7%9A%84%E6%AF%92%E8%9B%87%E9%99%A3

External links

22°17′24″N 114°08′42″E / 22.29°N 114.145°E / 22.29; 114.145

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