Consider taking a private tour to one of Hong Kong’s outlying islands. Each one has a unique personality and something to offer the day-tripper. The islands reveal a different side of our buzzing metropolis.
Have you considered exploring Hong Kong’s islands? They are just as rewarding as the busier parts of Hong Kong and the best way to explore them is on foot. You can take a stroll along the boardwalks of Tai O or the beaches of Cheung Chau. Or, you can admire the fauna and flora of Lamma Island, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
We love guiding our visitors on day trips and have a huge soft spot for Cheung Chau. Here visitors enjoy the unexpected contrast from the busy metropolis, chat with local residents, understand their history and experience the local traditions and foods which are harder to find in the urban areas.
Our private guides love handling unusual requests and giving an insider’s perspective – especially when helping our customers to explore the further reaches of Hong Kong’s outlying islands. This goes for visitors and local residents who want to get to know more about the city they live in. Here is a list of our favourite places to visit and why:
Yim Tin Tsai
This tiny dot of a place was once a hub of salt production for the small Hakka community. However, it was largely abandoned in the 1980’s. Its heritage has since been revived with help from the local community. On weekends you can visit the old salt pans, a Catholic church and try some of the homemade Hakka snacks. One such snack is glutinous rice cakes filled with peanuts or red beans.
Yim Tin Tsai is reached via a 15 minute boat ride from Sai Kung Pier. Many private tour operators will take you there and back from around HK $50 per person.
Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau is a vibrant island with pirate caves, scenic beaches and family-friendly walking trails. It has become a hub for new-starter boutique businesses. These include arts and crafts, cafes and gift stores. They are all located in the traditional shop-house buildings.
We love to go and stay overnight with our family in one of the many Bed and Breakfast accommodations, or you can book yourself into the number one hotel on the Island. Well, it’s the only hotel! It’s called The Warwick and it does a great dim sum menu.
To summarise, Cheung Chau is a great place to enjoy the scenery, food and water activities. Ferries leave every 30 minutes from Central Pier 5. Alternatively you can catch the Inter-Island ferry from Mui Wo, Peng Chau or Chi Ma Wan.
Tai O, Lantau Island
Technically Tai O is part of the largest island in Hong Kong, Lantau. However, this tiny enclave has a fishing history centuries long and is a world away from the rest of the island. It was in a key position to take advantage of the economic activity in the Pearl river delta prior to the signing of the lease for the New Territories in 1898, and was only reachable by road in the 1970’s.
There is a huge sense of community spirit and everyone is friendly and welcoming to visitors. We were lucky enough to make some great acquaintances there last summer when running our in depth group tours of the village.
The residents of this unique village have worked hard to retain its unique identity, despite many a plan from the government to redevelop the wooden stilted fishermen’s houses along the creek. It has a great street food scene too.
This place may not be around in thirty years, so it is definitely a must-see if you are visiting Lantau. Ferries leave from Tung Chung New Development Pier every 2 hours. Alternatively, take bus 11 from Tung Chung Town Centre.
It is advisable to purchase your return ferry tickets upon arrival, especially at weekends. This is because there is limited space and it is a very limited service. They will run extra services on Sundays. Allow around 2 hours of travel from Hong Kong Island.
Further Island Information
Find out more about Hong Kong’s islands in a recent article we were featured in for Hong Kong Business publication, part of the Hong Kong Development Council: Settle Down into Island Time
