Repulse Bay

» Hong Kong, Guang Dong

Repulse Bay Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Repulse Bay is located in the southern part of Hong Kong Island. Have a peek at the picture and you will get the right impression. It is the sandy beach of having the highest representative characteristics in Hong Kong by its long and broad beach, clean water, fresh sand, calm tide and gentle wave. Its Chinese name means "Shallow Water Bay." The English name came from the fact that the British army had chased off some pirates in the old days.

A little bit about the history

In 1841, the bay was used as a base by pirates and caused serious concern to foreign merchant ships trading with China. The pirates were subsequently repulsed by the British Fleet; hence the name. Another theory holds that the bay was named after HMS Repulse which was stationed at the bay at one point.

In the 1910s, Repulse Bay was developed into a beach, and the Repulse Bay Hotel was built in 1920. To attract swimmers, a bus route from Central to Repulse Bay was created, and now stands as one of Hong Kong's oldest bus routes. During the Battle of Hong Kong in World War II, Repulse Bay was an important strategic location. The beach was extended artificially, and thus the sand closer to the shore is coarser than that further away.

What to see

There constructed on the sandy beach a Sea View Tower of Chinese ancient colour, inside which there are images of Tin Hau (the Queen of Heaven and Protectress of Seafarers) and Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin more than ten meters high.

Beside it, there is a Bridge of Longevity across which the image of Yuexia Laoren (the god of matchmaker) is there with a conjugal felicity stone beside him. It is said that after worshipping the god of matchmaker and striking the conjugal felicity stone, the conjugal felicity surely emerges. This is the place marriage seekers must come.

At the back part of the beach, there is a building of colonial colour - Repulse Bay, whose predecessor was the Repulse Bay Hotel and now the catering and recreation center.

Strolling along the beach

Sun-drenched Repulse Bay has a relaxed resort-like atmosphere. The wide, wave-lapped beach is popular with locals and visitors alike and great for sandy strolls - early morning with the waking of another day, when the sun is up and the sunbathers are out in force, or at sunset when all is at peace.

Enjoying romantic dinner

Besides aquatic activities, there are extensive facilities for visitors. This is the ideal place for a romantic dinner under the stars. For something more down-to-earth, several open-air restaurants nearby specialized in the joys of wholesome barbecued food, including the freshest prawns, squid, fish and other seafood. Near the Bay, there are fast food shops and restaurants for people to have their meals. Also, it is a good place for family or friends gathering because of its barbecue sites.

There is also a supermarket for people to buy what they want. People need not worry about being hungry after playing for a long time on the Bay and they need not bring too many things when travelling to the Bay. Fast food is food prepared and served quickly at a fast-food restaurant or shop at low cost.

Swimming

With water temperatures ranging from 16C (60.8F) to 26C (80.6F) year round, it is a mecca for locals and visitors alike to escape the heat. Swimming is obviously popular and the bay is outfitted for safety with shark prevention nets and floating platforms. During the summer, lifeguards are on duty.

Getting there

From Hong Kong Island (Central) take Bus no. 6, 6A or 6X towards Stanley Market and exit at Repulse Bay. You can't miss the beach.

Attractions around » Hong Kong, Guang Dong

Natural Scene

• Victoria Peak
• Victoria Harbor
• Repulse Bay
• Wanchai-Causeway Bay
• Kowloon
• Aberdeen
• Sai Kung Peninsula
• New Territories
• Sha Tin

Historical Site

• Star Ferry

Cultural Site

• Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

Nightlife

• Lan Kwai Fong
• Wai Chai
• Armani

Day Entertainment & Sports

• Hong Kong Disneyland
• Hong Kong Ocean Park
• Sha Tin Racecourse
• Happy Valley Horse Racing
• Dragon-I

Shopping & Leisure

• Lan Kwai Fong
• Ladies Street
• Causeway Bay
• Stanley
• Wai Chai
• Tsim Sha Tsu
• Central
• Stanley Market

Repulse Bay Highlights

Mazu attraction highlights

• A-Ma Temple
• Repulse Bay
• Black Dragon Cave
• Tianhou Palace

Beach & Bay in Great China

• Yalong Bay
• The Bund
• Victoria Harbor
• Dadonghai
• Repulse Bay
• Port Wusongkou
• Laohutan Ocean Park
• Wanchai-Causeway Bay
• Port Lushun
• Port Lvshun
• Sanya Bay
• Aberdeen
• Port Chaotianmen
• No.1 Bathing Beach
• Fujiazhuang Beach
• Xingcheng Beach
• Shanghai Wild Animal Park

Repulse Bay FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. How is the weather like in Hong Kong?
2. When is the most popular time to visit Hong Kong?

  Shopping

1. When is the best time to shop in Hong Kong?
2. Top ten tips for shopping in Hong Kong

  Other Hints

1. What I need to know about Visa and Passports?
2. Is it easy for me to exchange money here?
3. How to tip in Hong Kong?
4. Information Directory Desk
5. Useful Numbers

• How is the weather like in Hong Kong?

  Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate, being temperate for nearly half the year, with cool, dry winters and hot, humid summers. March and April are very pleasant.

  May to August is hot and humid with occasional showers and thunderstorms, and the highest temperatures often exceed 31C. Winter lasts from January to March with January and February more cloudy, when occasional cold fronts followed by dry northerly winds.

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• When is the most popular time to visit Hong Kong?

  Hong Kong is an all-year-round destination. The most popular time to visit is from the middle of September to the end of February, when the weather is cooler.

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• When is the best time to shop in Hong Kong?

  Summer is possibly the best time to shop in Hong Kong as incredible deals are offered during the annual Hong Kong Shopping Festival. The massive sales draw shoppers from all over Asia every year.

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• Top ten tips for shopping in Hong Kong

  1 Compare Prices
  
  Check the price of the item you want to buy in your home country first. When arriving in Hong Kong you should check out some of the larger department stores or reputable dealers for your product. It's better for you to start bargaining when you know how much the goods cost.
  
  2 Understand the Exchange Rate
  
  This may sound simple, but many tourists get ripped-off here is because they don't know the exchange rate - make sure you do.
  
  3 Know the Product
  
  Know exactly what you want to buy.
  
  4 Choose Your Shop Carefully
  
  The Hong Kong Tourism Board has a Quality Control Scheme that vets shops on pricing, honesty and a host of other attributes - these shops generally don't offer bargains but are reputable. Unless you are confident of price and product, you should also avoid shops that don't clearly display the price of an item.
  
  5 Shop Around
  
  If you're determined to go bargain hunting, shop around. Hong Kong salespeople are notoriously aggressive when negotiating, however the ball is in your court, if you don't like the salesperson or the price quoted is to high, move on to the next store.
  
  6 Check the Product
  
  Hong Kong shops have an undeserved reputation for using switch and bait tactics, this involves showing you one product but placing an inferior item in the box. This practice is not widespread, nevertheless you need to make sure what you think you're buying is what you leave the store with.
  
  7 Compatibility
  
  Ensure compatibility. Check the voltage and broadcast of any item you want to buy.
  
  8 Warranty
  
  Make sure the product has an international warranty. This can be a problem with 'Parallel Imports', these products are usually brought into Hong Kong by someone other than the official importer, and are often electronic items. Although cheap, their warranty is usually void.
  
  9 Beware of Bootlegs
  
  There are plenty of bootleg and illegal products on Hong Kong's streets, which police usually turn a blind eye to, however if you are found with these at customs, they are subject to confiscation and you possibly to conviction.
  
  10 Last Call
  
  If you're in dispute, call the Consumer Council Hotline on 2929 2222 for assistance, you can also approach uniformed hawker police who patrol markets.

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• What I need to know about Visa and Passports?

  A visa is needed to enter Hong Kong from other countries. However, provisos of stay depend on the nationality, and some nationalities are allowed to come in as visa-free tourists for the period of one month. Among them are the US and EC nationals. The previous one year unconditional visa on arrival with work permit has been changed after the handover to a six month tourist visa on arrival.

  Tourists who enter with a visitor's permit are not permitted to work. Those who are taking up employment in Hong Kong must obtain an advanced work permit from the Immigration Department. Usually, the company of hire will assist with the necessary paperwork.

  When traveling around the country, be sure to carry along your passport or a photograph identity, just in case. The Immigration Department is strict with its regulations on illegal outsiders, so - to be on the safe side - the passport would come in handy.

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• Is it easy for me to exchange money here?

  Currency is Hong Kong Dollar. As the old saying goes, 'more banks than rice stalls in Hong Kong': moneychangers are everywhere. Please check the exchange rate and the service fee.

  Customers with AMEX cards can draw Hong Kong Currency through ATMs directly and those with VISA and Master cards can draw local currency from ATMs marked for Visa or MasterCard electronic currency.

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• How to tip in Hong Kong?

  Some hotels and restaurants levy a 10% service charge while customers may add other 5% tip. For restaurants that don't levy a service charge, a 10% tip is expected. Tip taxi drivers, bellboys, and restroom attendants.

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• Information Directory Desk

  • 1018 English
  
  
  • 1083 Cantonese
  
  
  • 1088 Mandarin Chinese
  
  
  • 1013 International directory



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• Useful Numbers

  • Complaint hotline (including taxi complaint): 2527 7177
  
  
  • Tourist Hotline of Hong Kong Tourism Board: 2508 1234
  
  
  • The Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: 2824 6111
  
  
  • Postal Directory Hotline: 2921 2222
  
  
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