The main town of Hong Kong has become so populated that over the years people have started moving to the suburbs or more upmarket residential area like Repulse Bay or Victoria Peak. These places are scenic, less populated, and interferences are less here. So big executives and finance geeks tired from the incessant honking of traffic jams in Hong Kong finally packed their bags and moved to these more exotic locales. Repulse Bay is Hong Kong’s answer to Monte Carlo. The resort like atmosphere coupled with the luxury facilities and jam free streets is a welcoming change. It is great for sandy strolls or checking out dim sums from the roadside stalls or just clicking the many statues that abounds the town. The best time to explore this beach is early morning when the first rays of the sun hits the ocean. Check out the lifeguard clubhouse in the beach done in pure Chinese style with swirling dragons and the huge statues of Kwun Yum and Tin Hau protecting the fishermen here against all odds.
Very near to the beach you will find the Repulse Bay Hotel done in pure Colonial style with designer boutiques, a whole array of eating experience and other entertainments. The beaches here unlike many of the others shark infested beaches over the world, has shark nets and floating platforms for safety of the tourists. If you are in the beach you couldn’t help but notice the unique apartment structure with a hole here. It is just an empty space in the block of building. Knowing Hong Kong’s architectural pattern it might be a futuristic presentation or as legend has it there might be truth when the locals say that the building would have blocked a dragon’s entryway to the bay (which according to legends live on top of the mountain) if the whole was not constructed as per advice from a Feng Shui master. The Chinese would go to any length to keep everything in sync with the natural order of the Universe It really works.
While taking a walk through Repulse Bay you will find that many of the streets have colorful statues of Chinese Gods and Goddesses and other protectors. Check out the Kwun Yam Shrine here and just for good luck toss a coin in the mouth of the Fish statue here, cross the Longevity bridge adding three more beautiful days to your life.The bay is not only home to Chinese but also many of the ex pats. You will find here many Filipina nannies here. The statue of Kuan Yin can be seen here at more places than one. According to legends she is a Bodhi sattva or an incarnation of Lord Buddha. She is compassionate especially the sailors and fishermen whose main income comes from the sea. She was supposedly born a man but changed herself to a woman to be more approachable. You will always see her with a jar of pure water or a lotus in one hand symbolizing purity and freshness from fortunate circumstances.
Repulse Bay is well connected with the rest of Hong Kong. The Repulse Bay Road connects Wong Nai Chung Gap Road and Tai Tam Road. Buses from the Central ply here like6, 6A, 6X, 260; or the no. 40 minibus.