Hong Kong Seaside Villages

Hong Kong's history has been defined by the sea, and its waterfront settlements are some of the oldes. A visit to Tai O, Mun, Shek O, Cheng Chau or any such seaside town gives you an insight into how people have lived on the south China coast for generations. The devoted upkeep of Tin Hau temples demonstrates an enduring connection to the ocean.

Tai O

Once the largest settlements on Lantau Island, Tai O has a long history as a centre of salt production. The main export now is shrimp paste, which you will see drying on flat rattan baskets. Tai O is famous for its waterways and its old stilt houses - tin shacks standing on wooden piles in the creek. They are inhabited mainly by the Tanka people. Among other attractions are the Yeung Hau Temple (one of Hong Kong's most picturesque), the Tai O Culture Workshop, a small museum run by a local fisherwoman, quick dolphin-spotting boat trips, and the Hong Kong Shaolin Wushu Culture Centre. To reach the town, take the buses 1 or 11 from Mui Wo.

Tai O Village a quaint fishing village perched on stilts, which retains much of its unique culture and heritage. Be sure to wander through the narrow alleys, visit the prayer stones and the cluster of centuries-old Chinese temples.

Shek O Beach

The hill road to Shek O is so winding and the village so ramshackle, it's easy to forget you're on the same island as Central and Wan Chai. It's charming seaside port with a large beach full beach facilities included with a crazy golf course and plenty of parking.

The Dragon's Back is a mountain ridge popular with hikers. On the far side of it, the laid-back villages of Shek O and Big Wave Bay enjoy splendid geographic isolation. The art-deco bus station at Shek O hints at how time can move more slowly in these far-off parts. Be sure to explore Shek O village and headland, and feed yourself at one of the busy Chinese-Thai restaurants. The village is bordered by the genteel Shek O Golf & Country Club, which has changed little since it was laid out in the 1920s.

Tai Long Wan

This large has four ungazetted beaches Sai Wan, Ham Tin Wan, Wan and Tung Wan, Tai Wan is the longest Sai Wan and Ham Tin Wan have tiny villages offering refreshments and limited lodgings. Facing southeast with the tall spire of Sharp Peak watching over it, the bay receives a decent swell and is popular hangout for Hong Kong's small surfing community

'The Land Between' Tour

Between urban Hong Kong and mainland China lays the fertile New Territories. This tour showcases the enduring traditions of Hong Kong's rural hinterland, you'll got to see the Yuen Yuen Temple complex Tai Mo Shan and Luk Keng also the walled village at Fanling and the fishing village at Sam Mun Tsai with some great sea-and-mountain landscapes.

Cheung Chau Island

Cheung Chau is the most populous outlying island, there are lots of outdoor activities to indulge in and picturesque spots to visit. On arrival the ferry passes rows and rows of deep-sea boats anchored in the island's harbour. Dozens of alfresco seafood restaurants line the town's waterfront. In the north Pak Tak temple. Built over 200 years ago, the temple is dedicated to the god of the sea and features unique architectural details. Some the historical relics kept on site are over 800 years old. It is the site of the annual Bun Festival.

South of the pier, the Hung Shing Temple is well-kept building hidden amidst a jumble of old-world streets. The island's probably best-known for being the home of champion sailor Lee Lai Shan, a 1996 Olympics gold medalist.

Tap Mun

Tap Mun, also known as Grass Island, is very old-world place at the entrance to Tolo harbour, its fishing villages are pleasingly free of modern buildings. A simple circuit of the island can be made, taking in its Tin Hau temple and grassy eastern coast, and finishing at the island's seafood restaurant near the pier. There are no night-time ferries so make an early start for this expedition.

Hong Kong Back Garden Tour (Sai Kung)

A jubilee International tour is vivid meeting of old and new, and east & west. To start visit to Che Kung Temple in Ho Chung after that you can cruise along the fishing village and then to Hung Shing Temple on offshore Kau Sai Chau.

Become a Junk trip Junkie

Get some mates together and hire a pleasure boat for the day. Your choice of seaside destination is limited only to your understanding of the map - and the captain will be able to make suggestions. Head for an outlying island, a sheltered cove or simply enjoy the sunshine on the water as you sail away from the city.

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