The Stanley facelift will ensure that the premier tourist spot will be more attractive and visitor friendly

Stanley village on the southern tip of Hong Kong island, famous for its waterfront dining and lively market, is gearing up for another facelift to become a must-visit spot on every tourist's itinerary.

"Stanley is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hong Kong. Sprucing up key tourism areas like Stanley will make Hong Kong more attractive and visitor friendly and strengthen Hong Kong's position as a premier tourist destination," said Winifred Chung of the Hong Kong Tourism Commission, the organisation in charge of the redevelopment project.

Redevelopment plans of HK$87.5 (US$11.2 million) are in place to construct a new pier for leisure and tour service vessels, which will offer an alternative means of transport to and from Stanley, linking it up with other tourist spots such as Lamma Island and the southern part of Hong Kong island.

"This will further enhance visitors' experience of touring this area," said Mrs Chung.

Scheduled to be completed by 2007, the Stanley makeover also include plans to widen the Main Street promenade with a new boardwalk, realign the sea wall, and upgrade street lighting and furniture.

Currently, the Stanley waterfront covers the promenade facing Stanley Bay and extends from the historic Murray House to the Shui Sin Temple. Murray House is a key historical attraction, as one of Hong Kong's oldest surviving European buildings. The three-storey Georgian-style building was dismantled from its original location in Central in 1982 and rebuilt in Stanley in 2000. Today, it houses various international restaurants, in addition to those in the adjacent Stanley Plaza.

"We will ensure the design of the new pier will blend with the architectural style and historical value of Murray House, and an extended promenade will mean more open space for pedestrians to enjoy the sea views, alfresco dining and outdoor/street activities," added Mrs Chung.

The pedestrian promenade and waterfront restaurants are already a great place for relaxed enjoyment for visitors who would have been through bargain shopping for local crafts in the quaint alleyways of Stanley Market.

While the redevelopments are sure to lend Stanley a new look and feel, it will continue to be a blend of the historic and modern, of local sights and international flavours.

Related link
Hong Kong Tourism Commission