Cheung Chau (長洲)
Just a short ferry trip from Central, Cheung Chau, once a refuge for pirates, makes for a great day trip or longer stay.
Located off the south east coast of Lantau and directly south of the islands of Peng Chau and the former leper-and penal colony of Hei Ling Chau, Cheung Chau has a population of around 30,000 people.
The island is a great place to hike or cycle in a largely vehicle-free environment.
Attractions include Cheung's several sandy beaches, great seafood restaurants and cafes as well as the annual Bun Festival.
There are electric-powered vehicles to get around or take a traditional kaido boat from the main harbour to points around the coast.
Attractions on Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau is home to several temples including four Tin Hau temples. The Pak Tai Temple is one of the oldest temples in Hong Kong and dates originally from 1783, though completely rebuilt in 1989. This is the island's most important as it hosts the annual Bun Festival, which draws thousands of visitors to its parades each year.
The island has a few churches including the Jesuit Our Lady of Fatima Church and the nearby Cheung Chau Baptist Church on the east coast.
The legendary 18th-century pirate Cheung Po Tsai had a base here. Cheung Po Tsai Cave on the southwestern tip of the island near Sai Wan Tin Hau Temple is where he supposedly hid his ill-gotten gains.
Cheung Chau Village is the main settlement and ferry port. The main market is here and its fun to wander the maze of narrow streets. Freshly-caught seafood dries in the sun among a plethora of small shops and eateries.
Out near the Warwick Hotel and Tung Wan Beach is a 3,000-year-old geometric rock carving.
The island's beaches include Afternoon Beach, Morning Beach, Italian Beach, and Coral Beach. Wind-surfing is big here and Olympic gold medallist and local hero Lee Lai Shan hails from Cheung Chau.
Bun Festival
More than anything, though, Cheung Chau is known for its colorful Bun Festival. The festival pays homage to Pak Tai and takes place in late April or early May depending on the lunar calendar.
20-meter-tall towers are constructed to hold the sacred buns. In the past people would scramble to the top at midnight to get to the buns, but after an accident in 1978, the buns are largely handed out instead apart from more-supervised "bun-scrambling" events.
"Floating children" in elaborate costumes are paraded through the streets on long poles, suspended by wires cleverly hidden in their clothing.
Offerings are made to the animals and fish killed in the previous year and people refrain from eating meat or killing animals during the four-day festival.
Colonial History
The island has something of a darker side to its history. During the colonial period certain areas including Afternoon Beach (Kwun Yam Beach) were off-limits to Chinese people, just like The Peak on Hong Kong Island. They were reserved for Europeans only including many off-duty missionaries. This led to the severe over-crowding seen in Cheung Chau Village.
Dragon Boat Racing
Cheung Chau is a venue for one of Hong Kong's series of dragon boat races.
Held in May or June depending on the lunar calendar the races take place in Cheung Chai Typhoon Shelter.
Accommodation
Places to stay on the island include the Warwick Hotel. The hotel offers rooms with sea views, two restaurants and a seasonal outdoor swimming pool.
The Lychee Sunset Hotel near Tung Wan Beach is a recommended B&B with free WiFi and a terrace.
The island's other accommodation options are B&B Cheung Chau, Wai Kee Resort House and Sea View Holiday House.
Access
Cheung Chau is 10 km off Hong Kong Island.
There are ordinary (55 - 60 minutes) and fast ferries (35 - 40 minutes) to Cheung Chau from Central Ferry Pier No. 5 in Central. The boats are operated by First Ferry.
The inter-islands ferry service also sails Cheung Chau - Chi Ma Wan - Mui Wo - Peng Chau.
Other Hong Kong Islands
Books on Hiking in HK
Rambles in Hong Kong (Oxford in Asia Paperbacks)
Hong Kong & Macau (City Guide)
Stay in Hong Kong
Book Hotels in Hong Kong - Booking.com
Hotels in Hong Kong - Agoda
Find Hotels in Kowloon - Booking.com
Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong
Search Hotels in Macau - Booking.com
Venetian Macau Resort Hotel
Budget Hotels in Hong Kong - Booking.com