Central, Hong Kong - Definition and Overview

Central (中環) is an area located in Central and Western District, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. It is the business centre of Hong Kong, and many multinational financial services corporations have their headquarters there. The Government Hill, the site of the government headquarters, is also in Central.

History

中環 (formerly Choong Wan or Chung Wan on older maps) was one of the districts (四環九約) in the Victoria City. The English name Central became prevailing after the Island Line of the MTR metro system was built, and the connected stations of Pedder and Chater renamed as "Central".

Notable places, streets and buildings

Places and streets

• Ladder Street
• Lan Kwai Fong
• Soho, Hong Kong
• Statue Square
• Edinburgh Place

Buildings

• HSBC Hong Kong headquarters building
• City Hall
• Bank of China Tower
• Two International Finance Centre (IFC)
• Exchange Square
• Court of Final Appeal
• Star Ferry Pier
• Queen's Pier
• Legislative Council Building

Hotels

Central, together with Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui East, is home to many best hotels.

• Mandarin Oriental (Des Vœux Road Central)
• Island Shangri-la (Pacific Place, Admiralty)
• Ritz-Carlton (Chater Road)
• Conrad International (Pacific Place, Admiralty)
• JW Marriot (Pacific Place, Admiralty)
• Four Seasons (IFC)

Schools

• St. Paul's Co-educational College (SPCC)
• St. Joseph's College, Hong Kong
• St. Paul's Co-educational (Kennedy Road) Primary School
• St. Paul's Co-educational (Macdonnell Road) Primary School
• Raimondi College

Churches, Synagogues, Temples and Mosques

• St. John's Cathedral (Sheng Kung Hui)
• Roman Catholic Cathedral 天主教總堂
• First Church, Church of Scientology
• Union Church (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-levels#Union_Church_Hong_Kong)
• Immaculate Conception Cathedral , Hong Kong (Roman Catholic)

Transportation

Public transportation

The area is a hub of transportation in Hong Kong, and is connected directly to most areas in Hong Kong.

Buses

• KMB, serving only cross-harbour routes on Hong Kong Island
• First Bus
• Citybus
• Minibuses

Trains and Trams

• MTR - Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Tung Chung Line, Airport Express at Hong Kong, Central and Admiralty stations
• KCR East Rail - construction in progress
• Tram
• Peak Tram

Ferries

• First Ferry, to Silvermine Bay, Mui Wo, Peng Chau and Cheung Chau
• Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry, to Sok Kwu Wan and Yung Shue Wan on Lamma
• Star Ferry, to Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom
• Discovery Bay Ferry, to Tsim Sha Tsui East and Discovery Bay
• Park Island Ferry

Expressways and Routes

• Route 1
• Route 4
• Connaught Road Central