The Eastern District (Chinese: 東區; Jyutping: dung1 keoi) located on northeastern part of Hong Kong Island, being one of the 18 administrative districts of Hong Kong. It had a population of 529,603 in 2021[3] The district has the second highest population while its residents have the third highest median household income among the 18 districts.
The Eastern District is well-developed, with a complete public transport and transport network, including subway, bus, ferry, minibus and tram services, while the Island Eastern Corridor and the Eastern Harbour Crossing are important arteries for external traffic. There are comprehensive educational, medical, community and recreational facilities in the area, as well as large shopping malls and commercial centres. [examples needed] At the same time, there are also many historical and cultural attractions in the Eastern District, which are good places for citizens and tourists to relax and entertain.[examples needed]
Originally a backwater of fishing villages, quarries and dockyards, there are archaeological evidence there were villages and small towns appeared during the Song dynasty (AD 960–1279).
The Eastern District is now mostly residential, with some industrial areas and several large shopping malls. While mostly Home Ownership Scheme and public housing estates are located from Sai Wan Ho to Chai Wan, large private housing estates are also located within the eastern district, such as Taikoo Shing, Kornhill and Heng Fa Chuen. A commercial hub has been developed from the former industrial areas in western part of Quarry Bay. Hotels and commercial buildings are also developed near Fortress Hill along the coast.
In the past the district was linked by a single traffic artery, King's Road, which was notoriously congested during peak hours. This was largely resolved by the construction of the Island Eastern Corridor and the Island line within the MTRrapid transit system in the 1980s. It also contains the tram line, now over 100 years old, that runs near the sea shore from Shau Kei Wan west towards other districts.
Demographics
According to the ninth survey of Hong Kong millionaires conducted by Citibank (Hong Kong) and The University of Hong Kong from November 2011 to January 2012, Eastern District is the area with the most millionaires in Hong Kong.
The offices of many multinational corporations like LVMH and BNP Paribas are located in the area of Eastern District, such as Taikoo Place, which makes the East District take over the functions of the new core business district and economic centre.
Taikoo Place: One of the Central Business District in Hong Kong, where the commercial buildings include: One Island East, Devon House, Dorset House, Cambridge House, Lincoln House, Oxford House, Westlands Centre, Berkshire House, One Taikoo Place and Two Taikoo Place.
As the Government of Hong Kong is determined to develop the Eastern District, many government departments have moved from Central and Wan Chai to the Eastern District, including many headquarters buildings, so that the Eastern District has undertaken some functions of the political centre that originally belonged to other districts.
Water Supplies Department Headquarters with Hong Kong and Islands Regional Office and Correctional Services Department Headquarters Building in Chai Wan (expected to be completed in 2024–25)
Chai Wan Government Complex and Vehicle Depot (expected to be completed in 2024–25)
In addition, the Securities and Futures Commission is headquartered in Taikoo PlaceOne Island East, the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council is headquartered in Two Taikoo Place, Hong Kong Housing Society is headquartered at 1063 King's Road, Consumer Council is headquartered in K. Wah Centre, Tourism Commission is headquartered in Habour East, Fortress Hill, and Estate Agents Authority is headquartered in E-Trade Plaza, Chai Wan.
North Point, Quarry Bay and Sai Wan Ho are one of the most expensive urban residential areas in traditional locations, with convenient transportation and the fourth highest median income in Hong Kong. There are 15 public housing estates in Shau Kei Wan and Chai Wan, and 23 HOS housing estates, resulting in a large income gap within the Eastern District. However, public housing has also injected grassroots labour into the Eastern District, enabling the middle-class population in the Eastern District to enjoy cheaper services, so the urban planning of the Eastern District has been very successful.