When people think of Hong Kong, they often think of the typical stereotypes associated with this global location – huge skyscrapers, office blocks, people in long queues, traffic jams, a busy commercial city.
But, in fact that view of Hong Kong is just one of many faces this destination has to offer. Hong Kong isn’t a city as it has lots of mountains and countryside and places to explore -it’s more rural than it
is urban. And since it has its own money and border control, it’s a country as much as it is a city. Outside the bustle, there’s the charm of the Tai O fishing village which is on Lantau Island in Hong Kong’s outlying islands.
How to get to the Tai O Fishing Village
If you are already on Lantau Island, simply head to Tung Chung bus station (next to the MTR station) and get a bus to Tai O. OR, if you’re on Hong Kong Island, then grab a ferry from Central Ferry Pier Number 6 to Mui Wo on Lantau Island. Upon arrival at Mui Wo, catch a bus directly to Tai O.
From Kowloon – get the MTR to Tung Chung (at the end of the Amber coloured Tung Chung Line). Use exit A or B from the MTR at Tung Chung to find the bus station. Buses on the far side of the bus station head to Tai O.
From Lantau Island – either get a bus from Mui Wo or get a bus from Tung Chung, the Tung Chung bus is number 11.
Other ways to get there – taxi or private car/bus. There is no rail or minibus network to Tai O.
What to see and do in Tai O
The main attraction of Tai O is the actual fishing village itself, which gives the place the name of Tai O. This is a charming, a basic Chinese fishing village on stilts which remains unchanged for generations. It’s fantastic to just walk around and admire, which alone is worth the trip.
Here’s a top 5 things to see and do:
1. Walk at leisure round the fishing village
It’s open and free to walk around – cross the bridge through the main village centre and walk along the houses all built on stilts. Very pictueresque. Snap away to your hearts content.
2. Take a boat trip out to sea
A boat trip from Tai O out to sea is easily organised from the centre of Tai O village. They will take you a few miles in the direction of China and Macau where there’s plenty of shopping. On a good day you will see China and Macau and the airport if you go out far enough. On an even better day and with some luck you can see dolphins!
3. Eat some seafood
It’s a fishing village and there are TONS of restaurants and local markets. I love it – I’m not actually a big fan of seafood to be honest but the cheese oysters we had were great and the range of fish and seafood available is endless. The Hong Kong government have outlawed some rules in recent years restricting fishing to an extent, but there’s still a load of seafood to be tried in Tai O!
4. Watch the sun sink with a cold beer
The sun sets in the west and that’s exactly where Tai O is – we marvelled at the glorious fading ball on an evening. You can get cracking views along the coast and have a beer relaxing to your heart’s content.
5. Hike to Yi O
Lantau Island is superb for hiking (as are many parts of Hong Kong) and one I did was up to some waterfalls and natural lakes at a place called Yi O. It’s a short hike in fact but a good one to do from Tai O. A couple of hours is plenty of time to get you there and back but be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks as there are no facilities on the hike. Lastly, be careful of huge spiders and mosquitos.
Tai O can be done on a day trip if you are based in Hong Kong, the other option would be to stay over and though there are no hotells, the locals would probably put you up for a few Hong Kong Dollars. You could spend the night in a remote Chinese Fishing Village.
On a final note, the village is traditionally Chinese, yet on the west tip of Hong Kong. I was surprised somewhat when I got my mobile phone out only to find it had changed to a Chinese reception…
Here are a few of my videos from Tai O:
Central Tai O fishing village:
Tai O boat trip out to sea:
The Mid Autumn Festival in Tai O:
Jonny Blair is a self confessed traveling nomad who founded and blogs at Don’t Stop Living. He sees every day as an adventure. Since leaving behind his home town of Bangor in Northern Ireland ten years ago he has traveled to all seven continents, working his way through various jobs and funding it all with hard work and an appetite for travel. Don’t Stop Living, a lifestyle of travel’ contains over 1,000 stories and tips from his journeys round the globe. He wants to show others how easy it is to travel the world, give them some ideas and encourage them to do the same but most of all he aims to constantly live a lifestyle of travel. He is currently based in Hong Kong and on Twitter @jonnyblair.
