Public Square Street

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A garden in Public Square Street

Public Square Street (traditional Chinese: 眾坊街; simplified Chinese: 众坊街; pinyin: Zhòngfāng Jiē; Cantonese Yale: jung3 fong1 gaai1; formerly 公眾四方街) is a street in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The street runs in an east-west alignment from Cliff Road to Ching Ping Street, meeting Nathan Road, Temple Street, Shanghai Street, Reclamation Street and Canton Road in its course.

The public square in the street's name refers to Yung Shue Tau (榕樹頭), a gathering place in front of Tin Hau Temple in Yau Ma Tei. Apart from the landmarks of Yung Shue Tau and Tin Hau Temple, there are also the night market of Temple Street, historical Yau Ma Tei Police Station, and Broadway Cinematheque. Jade Market is just a few walks away. On the other side of Nathan Road, the end near Cliff Road has steps leading to the hill of King's Park.

[edit] History

The street's original name in Chinese was 公眾四方街 (Kung Chong Sze Fong Kai in Cantonese language), resulting from the word square being misinterpreted as a geometric shape. The more accurate translation of 眾坊街 (Chung Fong Kai in Cantonese language)was adopted in the 1970s.

The end of the street, near present-day Ferry Street, the Yau Ma Tei Ferry Pier was one of main pier for ferry transport across Victoria Harbour between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The pier was later relocated to Ferry Point near Kwun Chung.