The shallow waters off the southern coast of what is now known as Hong Kong gained this name after the British “repulsed” or deterred some pirates who had made themselves comfortable in these waters where they were not welcome. Another historical narration asserts that the name may have been derived from the vessel HMS Repulse, which was docked at the bay at one point in time.
For commercial purposes, the bay was converted into a tourist attraction and the beachfront was extended into the sea artificially to allow more tourists at a time. To bring the swimmers and sea farers to the tip of the south, the bus networks were developed leading to the area that surrounds Repulse Bay, hence some of the oldest bus routes commence from the locality. The area that overlooks the bay and the land adjacent to it remain as some of the expensive blocks of residential land in the country and are sought after by the elite for prestigious purposes.
The Repulse Bay is a small stretch of water that divides the mainland from the Middle Island of Hong Kong, which is bordered on its outer side by the Deep Bay. The cable car line that has been drawn out of the mainland over these bays provides some panoramic views of them from above. The Kwan Yin Shrine and the Longevity Bridge are the highlights of the bay for those who do not indulge in a good swim in the safe waters or a brisk walk on the coarse sandy beach.
The bay is not just a natural beauty bereft of other importance; it was one of the strategic locations used during Hong Kong’s battle in World War II. Many naval craft, including the bay’s name sake, the Repulse, were anchored in the stretch of sea and the Middle Island provided protection and cover from the enemy.
Find a Hong Kong hotel that is within proximity to these coastal areas, particularly if you are on holiday and want to indulge in some welcome relaxation The Cosmopolitan hotel Hong Kong is one option that can be considered if you are seeking convenient accommodation in the form of a Wan Chai hotel Hong Kong has to offer its leisure and corporate visitors.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+