Hong Kong Outlying Islands Attractions

With a variety of islands in all shapes and sizes there is plenty to explore; from secret beaches, challenging walks, raves and great seafood, the choice is yours. Also worth a mention are the Soko Islands, an uninhabited archipelago off the south coast of Lantau Island. They are popular destination for junk trips, and Siu A Chau has a nice beach.

Lantau Island Attractions

Lantau Island is the first part of Hong Kong that you will see as you touch down on the runway at Chek Lap Kok - but you are whisked straight into the city over the spectacular Tsing Ma Bridge. Take time to see the Lantau Island's many attractions.

• Hong Kong Disneyland

• You have to go to Hong Kong Disneyland, a theme park at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Beautifully nestled on a bay against a backdrop of green hills on Lantau Island in the South China Sea, I like that the 310-acre park is just 10 minutes by light rail from the international airport and 24 minutes from Hong Kong. If you're OK with American culture, Hong Kong Disneyland is as American as apple pie.

• Giant Buddha

• No trip to Hong Kong would be complete without a visit to the Giant Buddha which sits serenely atop Ngong Ping plateau amid the spectacular mountain scenery of Lantau Island. At 26m high and weighing in at 202 tonnes of bronze, it is the world's largest seated outdoor Buddha.

• Po Lin Monastery

• The Po Lin Monastery is set amid spectacular mountain scenery on the Ngong Ping plateau. Besides admiring the massive statue there is also much to see and do at the monastery itself with its various figures of gods and other colourful manifestations of aspects of the Buddhist religion. Monks prepare vegetarian lunches at the monastery for visitors.

• The Wisdom Path

• From Po Lin Monastery it's a short walk to the Wisdom Path, an outdoor replica of the centuries old Heart Sutra, one of the world’s best-known prayers that is revered by Confucians, Buddhists and Taoists alike. The sutra is displayed on wooden pillars placed in the form of a figure "∞" to symbolise the idea of immeasurable splendour and infinity.

• Ngong Ping 360

• The Ngong Ping 360 experience starts with a 25 minute cable car ride from Tung Chung to a culturally themed village high atop a mountain plateau on Lantau Island. It's here at the Ngong Ping Village, that your family can enjoy two great attractions and a choice of shops and eateries, all on this picturesque 1.5-hectare site.

• Ngong Ping Piazza

• Covering an area of about 1.5 hectares, the Ngong Ping Piazza has a strong Buddhist character and blends in with the religious ambience of Ngong Ping. The Piazza links up the various tourist attractions in Ngong Ping, including Po Lin Monastery, the Giant Buddha, Ngong Ping 360 cable car, Ngong Ping Village and Wisdom Path. It enables visitors to explore Ngong Ping, which is a popular tourist spot characterised by its religious setting and beautiful natural scenery, in a coherent manner. The Ngong Ping Piazza has four components, namely a new Pai Lau, Bodhi Path, Di Tan and a Chinese landscaped garden.

• Tai O Fishing Village and Stilt-house

• For a look at a rare example of a Chinese stilt-house community, head to the far northwestern coast edge of Lantau Island. This is home to the Tanka people, a community of fisherfolk who have built their homes on stilts above the tidal flats for generations because they do not feel safe on land. Their enchanting world is an amateur photographer's paradise. Interestingly, a new manually-operated drawbridge spans the narrow creek that divides the town. It replaces an old-fashioned rope-drawn "ferry" that operated for over 85 years! The village is accessible by an hour-long bus ride from Mui Wo or Tung Chung.

• Mui Wo

• Mui Wo is the gateway to Lantau for visitors arriving by ferry, and is well worth exploring before heading off to other parts of the island. The Mui Wo Valley was first settled by farmers around the middle of the Ming dynasty (16th century). By the 19th century, there were six villages in the valley, many of whose inhabitants worked in a silver mine that operated for several decades. Remnants of the mine can still be seen and it provided the area with the alternative name of Silver Mine Bay. Also surviving to this day are several watchtowers built by the villagers to protect themselves from pirate attacks. Since the 1930s, the bay has become a popular swimming beach served by a hotel, used mostly by weekend visitors.

• SkyCity @ Hong Kong International Airport

• Hong Kong International Airport SkyPlaza is located mostly within the non-restricted area of Terminal 2. Apart from about 100 retail and catering outlets, SkyPlaza also features several entertainment zones:
  • - 4D Extreme Screen Theatre
  • - Aviation Discovery Centre
  • - Asia Hollywood
  • - i-Sports

• AsiaWorld-Expo

• Some of Hong Kong's biggest entertainment events are held at AsiaWorld-Expo, a 70,000-square-metre state-of-the-art rental space that also caters for exhibitions, conventions and meetings. Linked to Hong Kong International Airport and accessible by train/buses to urban areas, the complex has 10 column-free, high specification exhibition halls, one of which is a purpose-built entertainment arena - Hong Kong's largest indoor seated venue for an audience of 13,500, making it ideal for large events.
• Check out more Lantau Island Attractions

Cheung Chau Island

Cheung Chau and Peng Chau are still traditional fishing islands with simple temples and unspoilt beaches. Cheung Chau holds an annual Bun Festival in celebration of Pak Tai (a god that influences good sailing and fishing). Bamboo towers covered in steamed buns are constructed as an offering to the god.

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.

Cheung Chau is also a good place to go for a swim. A five-minute walk from the ferry pier is Tung Wan beach, a very popular swimming spot with locals and visitors. Right around the point is another good beach, Kwun Yam Wan (fronting a Kwun Yum Temple).

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.

Lamma Island

Lamma is the closest outlying island to Hong Kong Island and the most popular with expat residents. Peaceful and laid-back about sum up Lamma Island, a cosy community of small villas and a diverse expat community.

Lamma beaches are pleasant and the restaurants and bars simplicity personified while the southern harbour village of Sok Kwun Wan boasts seafood served on open-air stilt terraces. The main settlement, Yuen Shue Wan has a relaxed holiday atmosphere with a good range of dining options.

Get off ferry pier at Yung Shue Wan and get on the well-paved walking trail that links to Sok Kwu Wan. This refreshing 1.5 hour walk ends at a seafood restaurant. Dine on prawns before taking the ferry back to Central.

Peng Chau Island

Nestling to then eastern coast of Lantau, Peng Chau is tiny island with a large commuter population. Reached by ferry from Central or Mui Wo, it boasts a few temples and old market streets.

Peng Chau's appeal has been damaged in recent years by construction of needlessly high sea walls, but the easy climb up Finger Hill still gives good views of the Western harbour and its islands, and of the Tsing ma Bridge.

The Green Peng Chau Association has published a beautiful hand-drawn map of the island's attractions.

A 'kaido' (village ferry) service covers the short distances between Peng Chau, Discovery Bay and a pier near the Trappist Monastery on Lantau Island.

Poi Toi Island

Poi Toi is found to the south of Stanley. The steep, round island has a small village with beachside seafood restaurants, and some rock formations to the south which are popular with Chinese tourists.

Po Toi Bay is often full of pleasure boats. Access by ferry Stanley (Sundays only) or Aberdeen (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays).

Tap Mun Island

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.

Tung Lung Island

Tung Lung Island guards the eastern approaches to Victoria Harbour, and so it is no surprise that remains of Qing dynasty fort were found there.

Tung Lung has become a popular place for rock climbers. The island has no permanent population but a few noodle cafes are operated on weekends.

Tung Ping Chau

Tung Ping Chau (also known as Ping Chau) is the furthest-flung of all Hong Kong's outlying islands, way out in the northeast corner of Miss Bay. It is very close to the coast of China and features a different geology. Sedimentary rock is revealed in layers which glitter when wet, and erosion has created rock towers on wave-cut platforms.

The island and its waters are protected as country and marine parks. On land you'll find ghost villages while underwater there are coral reefs. Weekends find villagers returning to run noddle shops. Some beds can be rented.

Access by ferry from Ma Lui Shui, near University MTR (formerly KCR) station. There are just two departures on Saturdays and one one Sundays.

Getting There

Several different ferry companies run services and fares are low. Journeys typically take between 20 minutes and an hour, apart from the route to Tung Ping Chau. Holiday apartments are available for rent on Lamma Island and Cheung Chau, so you visit need not end with the last ferry. For Lantau, by far the biggest of all the outlying islands.

Outlying Islands Housing and Shopping

Housing is all village style, i.e. modern three-storey villas. Lamma island Cheung Chau and Peng Chau have become popular residential areas for expats who appreciate cleaner air, a quieter environment and more laid-back way of life. Shopping opportunities generally come in the form of handicrafts. The main streets of Yung Shue Wan on Lamma Island is particularly good for these.

 

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