Tung Chung 'cave' offers panoramic views of Lantau

A Cave Automatic Virtual Environment system has been set up in the revitalized Tung Chung Community Liaison Centre, allowing visitors to virtually enjoy a panoramic view of Lantau's scenic environment.

The center is next to the first phase improvement works of the Tung Chung East Promenade.

The section of the promenade, about 400 meters long, is expected to be completed in three phases and open fully by the end of next year.

The Secretary for Development, Michael Wong Wai-lun, said in his blog yesterday the first phase of improvement work opened on November 12. The Civil Engineering and Development Department took six months to revitalize the site office into the new Tung Chung Community Liaison Centre and the adjoining 70-meter waterfront promenade.

The second phase, the 85-meter waterfront promenade, is expected to open at the beginning of next year.

The third phase, 230 meters of land, will connect the first phase to the Tung Chung new development ferry pier. The construction work is expected to start after the authorities take over the land next June and will be finished by the end of next year.

The renovated Tung Chung community liaison center has floor-to-ceiling glass windows, where visitors can enjoy the scenery of the waterfront.

Visitors can know more about the development projects and initiatives of the sustainable Lantau office, as well as the nature, culture and history of the island through interactive exhibits and models.

They can enjoy a three-dimension panoramic view of Lantau and preview the virtual urban design of development projects, such as the Tung Chung new town extension, through a CAVE system.

A large-scale Lantau physical model also stands inside the center, with a video display showing the future development and initiatives of the island.

Some areas in the community liaison center will be open for schools and organizations, by reservation, for organizing activities and events.

"I hope the center can provide us a new channel to connect the community closely, in promoting sustainable development in Lantau," Wong said.

He thanked different parties for supporting the development and conservation works in Lantau, including the Lantau development advisory committee, the Islands District Council, the Civil Engineering and Development Department and the sustainable Lantau office.