Hong Kong Lantau Island ~ China Travel Pictures

Access Tai O village Lantau Island ferry, Ngong Ping 360

To visit Hong Kong Lantau Island, you usually need more time in Hong Kong than those who are simply in transit on their way to Australia, Thailand or Mainland China. But depending on your flight times, travelers with stopovers in Hong Kong can take the the Ngong Ping 360 Skytrain cable car from the Airport in Hong Kong to Lantau Island to see the Giant Buddha and the ancient fishing village of Tai O (pictures below). If you can, stay a night or two at the Regal Airport Hotel at the Hong Kong airport. It's also close to Hong Kong Disneyland (see Hong Kong attractions). If you can arrange a few days' layover, head into Hong Kong and spend a day exploring Victoria Peak or Stanley Market, and the excellent seafood restaurants in Sai Kung in the New Territories.
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Cheung Sha Beach popular spot on Lantau Island An early morning ferry from Hong Kong brought us to Lantau Island before 11 a.m., then we took the highway inland and along the south shore. It's an interesting drive, passing lush garden areas, a disused salt pan, several prisons and one of the Hong Kong reservoirs. We stopped at the beach shown here for about half an hour. Though the sky was overcast (not unusual in late April), the day was very warm. A few people were wading in the shallows, but on this weekday morning, there were few visitors.

Cheung Sha Beach Lifeguard has a unique stand We were intrigued by the unusual lifeguard platform, but like many things in China, it is most logical. The rescuer is closer to those he might have to rescue. Lifeguard towers are on the beach, where most any passerby could help a child in trouble. Lantau Island is home to a much smaller population. One source claims 45,000 and a second says 20,000, and our guide said 80,000. Our guide likely had the most current figures, as there are several new Lantau Island condo developments. When a typhoon is imminent, residents who work off the island stay away, as ferry service is often disrupted, effectively stranding them on the island.

Tai O Village Inner Harbour ~ Tide is out Continuing on past the beach, we entered the ancient village of Tai O (population 1,800), established some 300 years ago and famed for its dried fish and seafoods. This photo was taken when the tide was out. There is much expansion underway in the parking area outside the village as this spot is popular with tourists as well as Hong Kong and area residents.

Tai O Harbour - The Tide Is In! What a difference to the view when the tide is high and hides the unsightly silt. The harbour shores and inlet into the village itself are lined with ramshackle stilt houses. The inhabitants surely must be used to outsiders traipsing through their streets. These visitors are also customers for the dried fish and seafood, as well as other souvenir and sundry items for sale in the market stalls. However, before snappping photos. do ask permission first, and be prepared for it to be denied.

Tai O village traditional Stilt Houses Visitors enter the village proper via a short foot bridge, the center of which is an excellent spot for taking photos of the stilt houses, and both the inner and outer harbour. At low tide, the stilt houses seem to be perched precariously above the water, though they've been patched and shored up, and are still standing years later. You can see right into these homes, where residents are doing laundry or cooking.

Dried Fish and Seafood Stall in Tai O village Though much of the dried product is shipped off the island, the village stalls have much stock for shoppers. Yes, at times the fish smell is very strong. This is where it is handy to have a Chinese speaking guide to interpret and identify what you are looking at. There is such a variety of fish and seafoods that even local guides may have to ask the vendor for assistance.

Preparing Seafoods for Drying This shopkeeper continues her work cleaning and preparing seafood, stopping only when a customer needs attending to. Villagers must be so used to visitors traipsing through, they seem not to notice them, unless the visitors get too pushy, or treat them as if they are part of a theme park.

Traditonal Method of Drying Seafoods Keep an eye out for this traditional drying rack located just off the walkway. On one visit, it was nearly empty, and you might not notice it at all. This time, however, all the racks were spread and hung with drying seafoods and fish. At several nearby homes, women sat in the shade, chatting and shelling tiny shrimp before hanging them on racks to dry in the sun.

Tai O Village Street offers glimpse of 'old' China As noon approached, the overcast gave way to sunshine, casting deep shadows on the village streets. On a weekday, the crowds are noticeably smaller than on busy Sundays, when pedestrian traffic is shoulder to shoulder. Once you pass the fresh fish and seafood stalls and dried fish and seafood stalls, you come to an area with other shops and a few small restaurants full of local visitors.

Village Houses Lantau Island Away from the market stall area, the village itself is worth a quiet walk through. The homes are varied and interesting in style and design, with flowers in bloom brightening many yards and walkways. You are made aware by the residents that this is where they live, Be very careful not to offend or upset them by first getting their permission before taking their picture. Even if you don't speak the language, jsut holding up your camera (away from your face), then making eye contact and looking at them in a questioning manner will get you a nod and a smile (okay) or a shake of the head and a frown (go away).

Temple Tai O Village Square This old temple is on one side of the village square that lies a bit into the village proper, past the market stall area. Its roofline is laid with intricate ceramic figurines and colorful tiles. Of course, I have many more photos of this scenic spot, but I elected to ruthlessly edit out most of them. I prefer to let you have a glimpse of village life. When you visit, you will be able to see much more and focus on what most interests you. After all, the pleasure of discovery is one of the joys of travel.

Tai O Village Lanes On weekdays, the village lanes are not too crowded. ### . China Photos China Travel Information Hong Kong Lantau Island Giant Buddha Hong Kong Victoria Peak Hong Kong Stanley Market Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon) Hong Kong New Territories Hong Kong New Territories Sai Kung . .

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