Tai O 大澳: Lantau's Hidden Oasis
5/12/2019
To capture the essence of old Hong Kong, visitors should look no further than travelling to the fishing village of Tai O, which has managed to retain its old world charm and heritage.
Tai O is the oldest fishing village in Hong Kong. It is located on the western side of Lantau Island, far from the madding crowd. A stroll through Tai O feels like going back in time for a glimpse of how life was like in Hong Kong decades ago.
Fishing Village
Tai O is essentially a fishing village which peacefully thrived, first through fishing and increasingly as a tourist hub. Despite its location, Tai O is quite easily accessible by both bus and ferry.
The village is definitely worth the trip as it is surrounded by natural beauty and a visitor can easily forget that they are actually in Hong Kong. Tai O is popular with tourists though the number of visitors is such that it is still quite easy to walk around in a relaxed manner.
Arrival
Upon arrival at Tai O, boat operators line the little dock and visitors can instantly take a twenty minute boat trip though the narrow canals and stilted residential houses of Tai O.
The boat trip costs about 30 Hong Kong dollars and is worth it for the short excursion to see the layout of the village and to have a chance to see dolphins.
Visitors can also walk through the stilted houses via the bridges which connect the different little communities. You will notice how some homes also double up as shops and restaurants which specialise in local fare.
Shopping
Tai O's shops sell a variety of cultural items though the main bulk of products to buy are food items such as preserved fish and squid. The aroma of salted fish is a distinctive feature of Tai O. The practice and tradition of cleaning and then preserving fish in salt thrived for decades and still exists in small pockets.
There are a number of restaurants which are located within the walking lanes of Tai O as well as snack food vendors who sell local delights such as traditional egg waffles. They are still char-grilled in the old fashioned way. Vendors also sell traditional sugar buns as well as wraps which are filled with beef, chicken or vegetables.
Temples
Tai O has a number of temples to visit such as Yeung Hau Temple and a Tin Hau Temple. The latter being one of the many Tin Hau temples found across Hong Kong. Tin Hau is a deity revered as a protector of those working or travelling on the sea.
Tai O Heritage Hotel
A short stroll past Tai O market and the waterfront promenade will lead you to the four star Tai O Heritage Hotel. This unique and charming hotel has stunning views of the sea. The hotel is situated in an old 1920's police station which was converted into a modern hotel with a popular restaurant known as the Tai O Lookout. The restaurant there serves old style Tai O delicacies and seeks to promote Tai O's distinctive culture.
Other places to stay in Tai O are Espace Elastique B&B and Tai O Inn, by the Sea, a holiday home.
Serene and quiet and an oasis of calm, Tai O is definitely worth your time to see the last few glimpses of old Hong Kong.
Dragon Boat Races
Tai O is a venue for one of Hong Kong's series of dragon boat races. They take place among the stilt houses on Tai O waterfront.
Held in May or June depending on the lunar calendar the races are a bit different here. The traditional festivities include a parade on the water with deities from the island's temples carried on decorated sampans pulled by dragon boats. The races follow these celebrations.
Access - Getting There
Directions to Tai O:
Take the MTR to Tung Chung Station. From here take bus 11 to Tai O bus terminus. Alternatively take the MTR to Tung Chung Station Exit B. Change and take the Ngong Ping Cable Car to Ngong Ping Village then look for bus 21 to Tai O terminus.
Thanks to J.Ng
Books on 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