Last updated on September 14th, 2024

Plan your Cheung Chau itinerary using our handy travel guide for plenty of great things to do there. It is a great day trip from Hong Kong and could highly recommend it.

Just about 45 minutes by ferry from Hong Kong Island, Cheung Chau (長洲) is a great one-day trip from Hong Kong. This island is famed for its natural attractions, local delicacies, street snacks, and unique heritage. It was once a small fishing village and turned into a popular place to visit by locals and tourists.

When visiting Cheung Chau, there are many great things to do on the island. Take your time to explore the markets, and temples, and relax away from the city. You could even make multiple trips to explore and still discover new activities to do. Almost every time we visit Hong Kong, we will spare one day and explore this local village after visiting the city. We truly loved the small village vibe here and the slower lifestyle.

Check out my Cheung Chau travel guide blog to discover how to plan your Cheung Chou itinerary for the best things to see and do on the island!

Cheung Chau Travel Guide: Pre-Trip Essential

Cheung Chau is amongst the largest of the outlying islands and has over 20K inhabitants. The whole island is about 2.5 square kilometers by includes a loop trail covering the northern and southern sections. It is nicknamed the “dumbbell island (啞鈴島)” due to its shape.

Cheung Chau is the best place to visit for people from the city seeking the relaxed environment of Hong Kong’s outlying islands. Locals visiting the island of its unique culture, delicious street food, heritage, and scenery for a half or full-day trip. There even has a couple of hotels for those who prefer to overnight stays.

The south and north sections of Cheung Chau are intersected with a busy village in the middle. In the village, you can find a main ferry pier, supermarkets, convenience stores, and a small collection of restaurants, cafes, and seafood restaurants.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival, aka Cheung Chau Da Jiu Festival, is a seven-day Taoist sacrificial ceremony that is celebrated annually. The festival is normally held on the eighth day of the fourth moon of the Chinese Calendar (usually early May). It is a happening festival with parades, lion dances, costumes, and giant bamboo towers with steamed white buns! Plan your visit there!

How To Get to Cheung Chau

Cheung Chau is accessible by ferry only. Regular ferry service runs all days from Central Pier #5 and will take you to Cheung Chau Pier. The Sun Ferry ride is around 45-50 minutes and has a pretty good frequency.

Note that the Sun Ferry has two types of ferry service. The fast ferry takes around 40 minutes to reach Cheung Chau, whereas the ordinary ferry can take up to 60 minutes.

The fast ferry is smoother and with air-conditioner. But you can sit outside on the slow ferry which offers a scenic trip. The cost of the ferry ride is different and weekends or weekdays. The ferry timetable can be found on the Sun Ferry website.

There are other inter-island ferries linking Cheung Chau to Mui Wo, Chi Ma Wan, and sister island Peng Chau. The ferries will take up passengers from there as well but are not as frequent. So make sure to check the schedule before you plan your itinerary.

Alternatively, you can also opt for a one-way cruise ticket from Klook. The ride will bring you to and take the ferry back to Hong Kong Island on your own.

Getting Around in Cheung Chau

Once you’re on the island, there are two ways to get around – by cycle or on foot. Motorised vehicles are not allowed in Cheung Chau except for the emergency services such as ambulance and fire service.

By cycle – Bicycles can easily be rented on the island for as low as HK$50 a day. Most of the rental shops are located along the main Tai Hing Tai Road, south of the ferry terminal. Cycle along the promenade and take in the best views of the sea. You’ll be able to cover more ground on a cycle, but won’t be able to visit some of the attractions that require hiking. Also, it is also important to rent a bike with a padlock as you will need to secure it to explore a trail or a lovely sandy bay.

On Foot – Cheung Chau can be explored on foot. But note that island is quite big, it is advised to explore the central and either north or south side of the island. It will take too much of a walk for visiting both the south and north side for a single day.

You can also take the small boat tour that runs between the main ferry pier and the Sai Wan pier in the south of Cheung Chau. So, if you plan to explore the area around Cheung Po Tsai Cave, the sampan is a good option.

Things To Do in Cheung Chau Itinerary

Cheung Chau offers plenty of activities for first-time and returning visitors. The island is quite big but with a proper Cheung Chau itinerary, you can see some of the best attractions in one day.

Things To Do in Cheung Chau itinerary:

• Cheung Chau Harbor Front Promenade
• Sample Local Delicacies
• Hike To the North Lookout Pavilion
• Tung Wan Tsai Beach (Coral Beach)
• Tun Wang Beach / Kwun Yam Wan Beach
• Lock of Love
• Eat Seafood

Cheung Chau Travel Tips: There are also some other attractions such as Chi Ma Hang Viewpoint along Cheung Chau Mini Great Wall, and Cheung Po Tsai Cave that required additional more time in Cheung Chau.

Cheung Chau Harbor Front Promenade

Once you reached Cheung Chau, proceed to head to Pak She Praya Road and follow the pedestrian road. You’ll find a first glimpse of the village vibe walking around the main promenade street and areas. Locals busy get around by foot or bicycle, playing Mahjong around crowded tables, and chit-chatting.

Walked along the harbor front Promenade, taking in the sights of moored boats lazily drifting in and out of the harbor.

There is a good selection of restaurants – classic street food stalls, Hong Kong-style restaurants, Asian and fusion cafes, and bars selling their delicacies and drinks. You can enjoy the food here once arrive or come back here later to pick up some food and souvenirs.

Sample Local Delicacies

If you prefer some small bites, the street-side snacks are not to be missed. Cheung Chau is famous for its local snacks and must-try during your visit to Cheung Chau. 

The three popular unique local snacks for Cheung Chau are The “peace” buns (平安包) in different flavors, the giant flavorful fish balls (魚旦), and the sweet mochi (糯米糍) stuffed with fruits like durian or mango in a soft glutinous rice shell.

Be prepared to stand in line for some of the more popular shops.

Hike To The North Lookout Pavilion

If you fancy some exercise while on Cheung Chau, the short hike to the North Lookout Pavilion is highly recommended. It is also the highest point in the northern part of Cheung Chau Island.

Getting to North Lookout Pavilion required a little hike. From the main promenade, turn left pass through some small shops, and hike up toward the North end. You will also make detours to Pak Tai and Tin Tau Temples to the hiking trail.

Follow the path and the signs for the North Lookout Pavilion. All sights are clearly marked and easy to navigate with bilingual signs and maps.

Keep following the set of stairs to the North Lookout Pavilion. The scenery along the journey is not impressive but once you reach the pavilion, it is an awesome view of the central part of Cheung Chau Island.

Depending on one’s physical ability, the hike is totally doable in half an hour’s walk or less from the main ferry terminal. This a great 30-minute hiking exercise to include in your Cheung Chau itinerary.

As the highest point on the island, North Lookout Pavilion (literally meant Pak Tiu Pagoda 北眺亭) offers stunningly panoramic views from the highest point on the island.

A beautiful, bright day at Cheung Chau!

Tung Wan Tsai Beach (Coral Beach)

Once you reach the pavilion, you can continue to follow the trail that heads towards to Tung Wan Tsai Beach. It is a small secluded beach that hardly anyone comes to. Even if you don’t go down to the beach, the views from the steps are simply amazing.

Another option is continue hike to the Pak Kok Tsui. It is a small peninsula that offers stunning views of Cheung Chau and Lamma Island.

Due to the soaring sun, we didn’t proceed further and only descent back to our next destination in the Cheung Chau itinerary.

Tun Wang Beach / Kwun Yam Wan Beach

Cheung Chau is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Hong Kong, and a beach picnic day or sunset stroll along the sand is the perfect addition to any Cheung Chau day trip.

There are two popular beaches with a short walk from the ferry pier – Tung Wan Beach and Kwun Yam Wan Beach.

Tung Wan Beach is the main beach and also the most popular beach on Cheung Chau Island. This narrow, long stretch of golden sand is the perfect spot for any weekenders who want to spend some time in the sun. It is the most accessible beach from the ferry pier but probably the busiest. Plenty of restaurants and cafes are located next to it.

Kwun Yam Wan Beach required additional 5-minute walk south of Tung Wan Beach. It’s a much smaller and cozier beach. It is less crowded but also very busy during weekends.

Lastly, Tung Wan Tsai Beach is a more secluded beach only accessible from the North Lookout Pavilion (as per above).

Lock of Love

Toward the beach, you’ll discover the ‘Lock of Love’. This is a small Love Lock Garden where lovers can lock their love pad together. There is a retailer that sells locks and also woodwork where you can paint or write your love messages.

Not a new thing and can be seen on most of the tourist attractions, it is still worth making a quick detour to visit the Love Lock Garden.

Eat Seafood in Cheung Chau

After your beach day or hiking day, you can enjoy a delicious meal at one of the many seafood restaurants on the island before heading back to the city. Cheung Chau is known for fresh seafood and there are many restaurants along Pak She Praya Road serving the catch of the day. The restaurants offer various kinds of seafood and Chinese dishes at a reasonable price and most importantly, fresh seafood!

We can’t comment on which is the best seafood restaurant in Cheung Chau. But the more famous ones are Loh Ka Yuen Golden Lake Seafood, Seafood Restaurant, and True Seafood Restaurant. Alternatively, picking any restaurant you randomly found that looked decent will be satisfying.

More Cheung Chau Travel Tips

Cheung Chau is a popular weekend and holiday destination for locals. Don’t be surprised to find the island packed with visitors over the weekends. If you want to experience the beauty and tranquility of this island, go there on a weekday which is not a school holiday.

To avoid queues and busy ferries, it is advised to start your day trip to Cheung Chau as early as you can. We would suggest arriving in Cheung Chau before 10 am so you can comfortably see all the Cheung Chau attractions.

There are other interesting heritage attractions and some good hiking opportunities, particularly in the south of Cheung Chau. As those attractions need a little mountain hike therefore Children and the elderly are discouraged from those mountainous roads.

Make sure you have sun protection such as sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen if you are planning for beach activities or hiking. The whole island is exposed to the sun so it can be quite hot, especially summer time. Bring lots of water as it’s a bit of a trek.

There are public restrooms available, and they are well-maintained.

Overall: A Visit To Cheung Chau

All in all, we hope you enjoy our quick and simple Cheung Chau itinerary. This charming village has very contract to the modern part of Hong Kong. It is a nice place for an easy day trip for natural attractions, beautiful beaches, indulging in local delicacies and seafood. Although Cheung Chau Island is actually quite similar to most of the fishing villages in many Asia countries. It’s definitely worth making a trip to Cheung Chau when visiting Hong Kong.

Enjoy your trip to Cheung Chau!

Traveling to Hong Kong and looking for some inspiration? Here is our Hong Kong travel stories:

• Hong Kong Itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
• Hong Kong Food Guide: Where and What to Eat in HK
• Where To Stay in Hong Kong: Best Places and Hotels
• Lantau Island Itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
• Tai O itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog

Last updated on October 29th, 2024

Here are our recommendations for things to do in this authentic Hong Kong fishing village for visitors to plan on the Tai O itinerary.

When most travelers think of Hong Kong’s Lantau Island, we will usually think of the airport or the giant Big Buddha. But there’s another, somewhat less-known attraction that travelers can visit on the island: Tai O village.

Located on the western tip of Lantau Island, Tai O (大澳) fishing village is known for its houses on stilts. It makes a picturesque viewpoint when people viewed from afar, with its colorfully-painted boats. Tai O has remained largely unchanged over time. It is one of the places still existing in Hong Kong where you can explore and see an authentic and charming village. A very different side of Hong Kong.

To show you what’s so special about the Tai O and how it’s best to go about visiting them, we’ve compiled some travel information and advice in this Tai O travel guide blog. We also share how to couple your trip to Tai O when visiting the Big Buddha on Lantau Island.

How To Get To Tai O

Travelers can get to Tai O by bus or by ferry from Hong Kong island. We recommended get to Tai O by bus as it is very easy.

Firstly, you will need to hop on the MTR Tung Chun line at Hong Kong or Kowloon Station and take it to Tung Chung Station. Next, from Tung Chun station, you can catch a bus (#1/#11/#21) or hire a taxi to take you directly to Tai O. Bus from Ngong Ping Village and buses from Mui Wo also will get you to the Tai O village.

Most people will couple the trip to Tai O with Tian Tan Buddha which is located within 1 km away. You can hop on the Ngong Ping Cable Car and visit the Buddha, and lastly take the bus from Ngong Ping Village to Tai O. Alternatively, visit Tai O and then lastly get to the Ngong Ping Village. Either way is also doable. Just make sure to check the bus schedule. 

If you are doing this route, you can consider to get the Ngong Ping 360 Tai O Pass which included the bus and snack coupon.

For hassle-free, travelers also can consider to a tour to visit Lantau Island that combines the visit to Tai O, Tian Tan Buddha, Ngong Ping 360 cable car, and the village. Check for Lantau Heritage Tour.

Things To Do in Tai O Itinerary

The fishing village of Tai O gives you an authentic taste of Hong Kong’s fishing history. Once you arrived, the village is pretty small and easy to visit on your own even with a couple of hours. Here is the recommendation for what to do in Tai O during your trip there.

Things to do in Tai O itinerary:

• Explore Tai O Market Street
• Sample Local Street Food
• Strolling in the Tai O Village
• Lunch with Chinese Food
• Visit Temples
• Boat Ride through the Tai O Bay

Tai O Stilts Houses

The stilt houses are the major highlight for visits to the Tai O fishing village.

The remote village is home to the Tanka people, a traditional fishing community that built their homes on stilt. It was a hundred years of heritage brought over from Chinese immigrants and to date it has preserved its history of life in the early days of Hong Kong. 

The stilt houses are lined on both sides of the main water canal with color-painted boats tied up at the base of the stilt poles. Those houses are unique structures and make for very nice photographs, particularly on sunny days.

The best spot for viewing the famous Tai O stilt houses is from the Sun Ki Bridge. Standing in the middle of the bridge, you can see the stilt houses on both sides of the canal.

Explore Tai O Market Street

Beyond the stilt houses, Tai O Market Street is one of the places that should be missed on your Tai O itinerary. The market street is a specialty food street market scene with many local stalls serving traditional foods and local snacks.

Here you can see and potentially buy locally-made fermented prawn paste, salted fish, and a variety of dried seafood.

Sample Local Street Food

At the Tai O Market Street, you can also try many local street foods such as local egg waffles, pancakes, grilled pineapple, HK-style tea, best of all, Tai O donuts. Among all, the Tai O donuts from Tai O bakery are a must-try if you are visiting Tai O.

Tai O bakery is located halfway down the main street, Kat Hing St. But this small bakery shop is hard can miss as there is usually a queue in front of the shop to try their popular Tai O donuts. All the donuts are served piping hot, and deep-fried freshly over the stoves.

The bakery also sells a range of other pastries like egg tarts and coconut tarts. Try it if you want to taste Hong Kong-style pastries.

Strolling in the Tai O Village

The major attraction in Tai O is the stilt houses, but there’s also plenty to do when strolling around the village. The village still has retained its traditional feel especially if you take time to explore a little. Walking through the tiny streets is like going back in time.

Take your time exploring the narrow alleyways and embrace the slow pace of the village. Locals there were mainly elderly people nowadays as the younger generations preferred to live in the city. You might also spot fisherman selling their freshly caught from the sea on the boat.

Lunch with Chinese Food

There are plenty of small food shops and local cafes around Tai O for those looking for places to eat. We original plan to try to eat at the Tai O Banyan Tree, small eateries with some of the best views of the village.

But since we are in a Chinese village and were craving Chinese food, we decided to eat at Moon Kee Lin Heung Restaurant. The shop offers a wide selection of amazing mouth-watering food. We had a tasty and affordable meal here.

Visit Temples

There are numerous temples scattered around Tai O that you can visit during your trip to Tai O. The most notable is the Kwan Tai Temple in the middle of the village and Yeung Hau Temple situated in the north of the village. Not a must-see but worth for some detour during your trip to Tai O.

There is also a former Tai O Police Station that is now a heritage hotel. It is also recommended place to stay in Tai O if you would like to spend one or two nights in the fishing village.

Boat Ride through the Tai O Bay

One of the highlights for visitors here is hiring a boat to get a very different perspective on this unique corner of Hong Kong.

Tai O has some riverboat tours that you can take if you want to explore further. The 20 minutes boat ride will bring you through the waterways and Tai O Bay to see its fascinating history and people. You might also possibly meet the pink dolphins if you are lucky.

Overall: A Trip To Tai O

That’s it! Thanks for reading our Tai O travel guide blog. Hopefully, this easy and simple Tai O itinerary can give you an idea of what to do and see in this quaint fishing village. It is a relaxing day out and we truly enjoyed this off the beaten path.

But, if you are asking do we recommend visiting Tai O village in Hong Kong? We are debating and had mixed feelings about it. You probably can still couple your trip to Tai O together with Big Buddha. But coming here just to see the fishing village only, I would be re-consider.

Traveling to Hong Kong and looking for some inspiration? Here is our Hong Kong travel stories:

• Hong Kong Itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
• Hong Kong Food Guide: Where and What to Eat in HK
• Where To Stay in Hong Kong: Best Places and Hotels
• Lantau Island Itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
• Cheung Chau itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog

Last updated on September 14th, 2024

If you are planning a trip to Lantau, this quick and easy travel guide blog will give you everything you need to know to plan the Lantau Island itinerary!

Lantau Island (大嶼山) is the biggest outlying island in Hong Kong. There’s so much Lantau Island has to offer. Besides being home to Hong Kong’s Disneyland, you’ll also find Tian Tan Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, and Ngong Ping 360 on the island.

A day trip to Lantau Island presents endless options for attractions, cultural sights, and fun. Plan your visit to the island to climb up to the Tian Tan Buddha statue, admire the Buddhist architecture at Po Lin Monastery, or even side trip to Tai O Fishing Village. Lantau has everything you could be looking for!

Here’s how to plan a Lantau Island itinerary with all the best things to do on the island.

Getting To Lantau Island

There are multiways to get to Lantau Island from Hong Kong. But it all depending on where you come from and going to which part of Lantau Island. To get to the Lantau Island Big Buddha, you can either choose to catch Hong Kong’s most iconic cable cars up to the Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha) or by bus.

Here is the commonly best way to get to Lantau Island Big Buddha / Po Lin Monastery / Ngong Ping 360:

• By Cable Car: Getting to Tung Chung MRT station (Exit B) and then walking to the Ngong Ping 360 to ride the cable car. The ride is about 20 to 25 minutes. Purchase Cable Car tickets from Klook in advance to avoid crowd.
• By Bus: Getting to Tung Chung MRT station (Exit B) and then to the town center. Find the New Lantao Bus (#23) which will go to the Buddha. The time is longer and about 45 minutes.

Things To Do in Lantau Island

Here is the Lantau Island itinerary for suggestions on what to do and visit. All the attractions are grouped together and best to couple to visit hand in hand. You can also plan for a side trip to Tai O Fishing Village nearby.

Lantau Island itinerary:

• Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Ride
• Strolling in Ngong Ping Village
• Admire Tian Tan Buddha
• Po Lin Monastery
• Side Trip to Tai O Fishing Village

Lantau Island Travel Guide: The island is easy enough to explore on your own to visit all the attractions. But if you want to go on a guided tour, then you can book one through Klook. Here is the suggested Lantau Island Discover Tour.

Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car

The most exciting way to reach Lantau Island is using the Ngong Ping 360. Often cited as one of the world’s best cable car rides, Ngong Ping 360 is a 5.7 km long cable car ride that provides a great view of the Lantau island.

Purchase Ngong Ping Cable Car Ticket from Klook

The ride will travel across through the mesmerizing landscapes of Hong Kong and take you to the Lantau Island.

Your cable car journey begins at the Tung Chung MTR station, where you’ll purchase a ticket for the cable car. For an enhanced experience, you can also choose to upgrade to a crystal cabin Ngong Ping 360 with a 360-degree view including a full glass bottom to enhance your view as you ascend the mountain.

Starting from Tung Chung Town Centre, the cable car effortlessly glides above the lush mountains until reaching Lantau Island. It offers panoramic vistas of the surrounding natural beauty. Enjoy a 25-minute cable car ride with an immersive experience!

Lantau Island Travel Tips: It is best to purchase the cable car ticket ahead of time before arriving. The queue is extremely long on busy days, especially during the weekend.

Ngong Ping Village

Arriving at Ngong Ping, you’ll be captivated by the charm of Ngong Ping Village. You can choose to wander around the village once you arrived or before riding the cable car back to Hong Kong.

Ngong Ping Village is a quaint village that showcases the rich heritage of Hong Kong. The area is filled with small restaurants, eateries, and souvenir shops. Take a stroll through the village to do some shopping or grab some food here.

Slowly, from Ngong Ping Village, you will eventually get to the base to the Tian Tan Buddha.

Tian Tan Buddha

The Tian Tan Buddha, also known as the Big Buddha is an impressive sight at 34 meters high (112 feet). Unveiled in 1993, the statue symbolizes the harmony of the relationship between man and nature, between people and religion.

From the base, you’ll need to climb the 268 steps up to reach this grand bronze statue. It is a long way to go up, but trust me, the view is definately worth the climb. Once at the top, the panoramic views are unrivaled!

The Buddha statue is also simply impressive and you truly can’t gauge the size of the Buddha until you’re up close. A very impressive statue of Buddha indeed, also from different angles!

Surrounding the Tian Tan Buddha are six smaller bronze statues known as “The Offering of the Six Devas” that are posed offering flowers, incense, lamp, ointment, fruit, and music respectively. They symbolize charity, morality, patience, zeal, meditation, and wisdom, which are all necessary to enter into nirvana according to Buddhism theory.

Highly recommend visiting Tian Tan Buddha when visiting Hong Kong. A must-go in Lantau Island itinerary in Hong Kong.

Po Lin Monastery

Don’t forget to visit the Po Lin Monastery which is right beside the Buddha. The Po Lin Monastery is a magnificent Buddhist sanctuary where you can discover the history of the Buddha and admire its detailed architecture.

Po Lin Monastery is also a favorite spot for locals to pray, worship and offer incense.

Spend a few minutes strolling around the monastery. The surrounding arches and grounds are lovely.

Lantau Island Travel Tips: Consider having a vegetarian lunch prepared by the monks at Po Lin Monastery. The meal coupon is also the entry ticket to view the relic of The Buddha.

Tai O Fishing Village

After visiting Tian Tian Buddha, proceed with the Lantau itinerary to Tai O Fishing Village by bus. The distance between these Ngong Ping and Tai O is around 4.5 miles. The duration is around 20 minutes. If you are doing this route, you can consider to get the Ngong Ping 360 Tai O Pass which included the bus and snack coupon.

Tai O is a quaint fishing village with stilts houses built over a canal. This is a very different place compared to the bustling Hong Kong city and well off the beaten path. You can also consider taking a short boat trip to see pink dolphins if you are lucky. We didn’t take the option but just venture through the little alleyways and have our dinner there.

READ MORE: A Trip to Tai O Fishing Town

At the end of the day, we took the bus back to the city. Be aware of the bus schedule as buses run hourly. There are not too many taxis, so please check your bus timing.

Overall: A Visit to Lantau Island

Overall, hopefully, my Lantau Island travel guide blog is helpful. The visit brings us unforgettable memory that combines natural beauty, cultural immersion, and the thrill of the cable car ride.

We, high recommended to include Lantau Island during your visit to Hong Kong. We thoroughly enjoyed the visit to Lantau Island to see the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. Together with Tai O Fishing Town, it is a very easygoing day trip to see a unique part of Hong Kong.

Traveling to Hong Kong and looking for some inspiration? Here is our Hong Kong travel stories:

• Hong Kong Itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
• Hong Kong Food Guide: Where and What to Eat in HK
• Where To Stay in Hong Kong: Best Places and Hotels
• Tai O itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
• Cheung Chau itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog