Guide to Tai O Fishing Village – Venice of Hong Kong – A hidden getaway paradise

The Tai O Fishing Village on west Lantau Island is famous for its traditional Chinese stilt-house community on the water and is considered as “Venice of the Orient”. Due to its vicinity to the Big Buddha and Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car, it becomes the beloved destination among tourists in recent years. Most visitors will make Tai O as part of their one-day trip on Lantau Island.

As a matter of fact, Tai O is one of the few remaining fishing village in Hong Kong. It’s the most authentic example of Southern China’s old fishing life and culture. On weekends, locals love to visit this picturesque place, strolling through the small streets and markets, exploring the surroundings, taking photographs and tasting best local seafood and snacks, having an escape from Hong Kong’s daily stress. Thus if possible, try to avoid weekends and holidays.

Besides Tai O, there are many other attractions, such as the Big Buddha, cable car, viewing platforms, hiking trail and beach resorts on Lantau Island. Check out how to arrange the itinerary and insider tips.

What is Tai O Fishing Village – Century old fishing community

Tai O is a remaining fishing village located on the northwestern coast of Hong Kong’s biggest Lantau Island. It is famous for its stilt houses (In Cantonese is called “Pang Uk” 棚屋), fishing culture and seafood. The building style of the stilt houses in Tai O can date back as far as the 19th century and it is the only place in Hong Kong that has a over 100-year sedentary fishing community. It survives the passage of time and maintains its unique tradition.

Today as you walk around on the narrow alleys and footpaths of the village, it’s hard to imagine that it used to be one of Hong Kong’s biggest village on Lantau Island with over 30,000 population. Nowadays, this previous prosperous fishing village has encountered a declining population to only 2,000 people. When the younger generations prefer to live in downtown with a decent 9-5 office job instead of continuing the traditional fishing lifestyle, the village is struggling to survive. It seems that it is only a matter of time when the traditional fishing culture will diminish.

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How to arrange itinerary and manage time in Tai O?

Although Tai O village is not really big, it still will need one or two days if you would like to cover most of the important sightseeing spots. Especially if you plan to hike for scenic views and photography, it needs much longer time depending on your pace and efficiency.

How to plan the itinerary in Tai O?

Itinerary option 1: Walking along Kat Hing Street (Market Street) – stilt houses, snack, temples

Once getting off the bus and crossing Tai Chung Bridge, then turn right to Kat Hing Street. Walk along the street to enjoy Tai O’s unique fishing culture and local snacks. the dried seafood market, special snacks and specialties, some of the historical temples are all on this street.

Don’t miss the change to grab a picture at Sun Ki Bridge from where you can get great views of scenery and stilt houses.

Itinerary option 2: From Shek Tsai Po Street to Tai O Heritage Hotel

For those loving to take some great photos of the spectacular landscape, then turn left once crossing Tai Chung Bridge to Shek Tsai Po Street. Around 30 – 40 minutes, you can get to the Tai O Heritage Hotel (aka the old Tai O Police Station) where is the best place for admiring ocean and sunset.

Time management in Tai O

– Don’t arrive too late

Unlike the sleepless downtown, market and shops here will close around 6:00 pm or 7:00 pm. Popular food will be sold out soon. So if you would like to have a look of the market street, savour the unique snacks and specialties, or walk in one of the hundred-year-old historical temples, don’t come to Tai O too late (better arrive before 3:00 pm).

– Get tickets ready

If you decide to visit Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car and Big Buddha on the same day, you will need a complete day to cover everything. Don’t forget the extra time needed for waiting (transportation and cable car line). Getting a 360 Tai O Pass is better option to smooth the trip. The 360 Tai O Pass includes the round-trip Cable Car ride, a round-trip bus ride to/from Tai O, a 20-min boat ride through the stilt houses in Tai O and HK$ 20 snack voucher.

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What to see and do in Tai O – Top things you should not miss?

The unique-designed stilt houses and the remaining fishing village atmosphere are the main reasons attracting numerous tourists to Tai O. It’s also a great experience to stroll freely around the village and appreciate the quietness and nature opposite to Hong Kong downtown’s chaotic vibe. The exclusive food specialties in Tai O is extra bonus appealing to locals.

Right next to the bus terminus is the entrance of Tai O village. You will easily notice the welcome banner and it is in the center of the fishing village. From there you can start your explore. Turning left to the beach, hike, sunset watching or turning right to discover the small alleys, historic temples as well as local delicacies.

1. Scenic stilt houses along the waterway

The history of Tai O can trace back to Ming Dynasty when the fishermen came to reside. They started to build up the traditional Chinese stilt house along the coast due to the geographical and ecological convenience. The small water channels between Tai O Island and Lantau Island were an ideal place to anchor boats and ships and also good for building up the stilted houses.

Some people even call Tai O the “Venice of Hong Kong” or the “Venice of the Orient”. You can imagine it as Hong Kong edition of the famous Italian city. Although it is far away from the romantic and glamorous Italian equivalent, the unique architecture of stilt houses stands out with its distinctive characteristics.

Due to several severe natural disasters in recent years including floods, fires and typhoons, the stilt houses look like a conglomerate of fixing procedures. Some of the original wooden pillars have been replaced with modern steel structure.

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2. Strolling on Tai O market street

With hundreds of fishing boats, ships and vessels and a prosperous fishing economy, Tai O was one of Hong Kong’s most important fishing ports for more than 200 years. The rich fishing grounds led to a prosperous fishing industry. The village’s special geographic location with its shallow waters helped to develop the fishing industry.

As a fishing village, Tai O is famous for its specialties such as dried seafood, salted fish, shrimp paste and sauce (XO sauce). On the street market, you will easily notice various shops and stores selling seafood-related products, most of which are dried. Don’t be surprised if you find dried swim bladder (fish maw), starfish, octopus and blowfish.

Most famous of all should be the salted fish that you almost can see it hanging everywhere around the village. It’s a definite-buy for locals who travel here.

As famous as the salted fish is of course the shrimp paste which also a must-buy for all those local shrimp lovers. If you cannot take a bottle home, you may consider to taste it at Sun Kwong Cheung Choi Kee. Their popular street snack “Shrimp Pork Pancake” is made of shrimp paste and pork.

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3. Visit the historical and century-old temples

Around Tai O village, there are several temples built by the villagers to bring good luck and protection. Although all of them are not large in size, they are heritage buildings with several hundred years of history. Temples are decorated with ornate and elegant decors.

The most visited two are Tin Hau Temple and Kwan Tai Temple, which are in the village center. If you don’t plan to walk long distance for temples, these two are easily access.

• Tin Hau Temple:

  There are two Tin Hau Temples in Tai O. One is next to Kwan Tai Temple and was built in 1772 (Qing Dynasty) and another one is San Tsuen Tin Hau Temple built in 1722. Both of them were built to honor Tin Hau, the goddess of the sea who protects the safety of fishermen on waters.

  Tin Hau is a very important goddess not only to the villagers in Tai O, but also the Hong Kong locals. Every year on the Birth of Tin Hau, many districts in Hong Kong will gather in different Tin Hau Temple to celebrate and pray for healthy and safe life. There are other famous Tin Hau Temple on Yau Ma Tei Temple Street and in Man Mo Temple.

  

  Tin Hau Temple next to Kwan Tai Temple

• Kwan Tai Temple:

  Built in 1741, the Kwan Tai Temple honors the God of War and Righteousness and was built during the Ming Dynasty (1488 – 1505). In real life, the God of War and Righteousness is known under the name of Kwan Tai, a general renowned for its loyalty. The Kwan Tai Temple is very popular among locals since it is believed that Kwan Tai protect devotees from all evil. Another famous temple “Man Mo Temple” on Hollywood Road is also built for this god and he represents the “Mo” (martial) in the name.

  

  Kwan Tai Temple

  

  Inside Kwan Tai Temple

• Hung Shing Temple:

  The Hung Shing Temple worships the Sea god and was built in 1746.

• Yeung Hau Temple:

  The Yeung Hau Temple is dedicated to the loyal court official of the Song Dynasty (1270s) Yang Lianjie (also known as Hau Wong). It was build in 1699 and now is the Class I Heritage Building in Hong Kong. Inside the temple you can find a bell cast in the 38th year of Kang Xi (1699).

  Hong Kong has another famous Yueng Hau Temple close to Kowloon Walled City.

• Lung Ngam Monastery:

  The Lung Ngam Monastery is a Buddhist cum Taoist temple built to worship Buddha and the Chu Deity in 1929. If you come in April, you should definitely have a look at the Lung Ngam Monastery and one of its most important celebrations. Maybe you have to enjoy and participate in the feast with some traditional vegetarian food.

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4. Visit Tai O Heritage Hotel – Former Tai O Police Station

Situated next to the Tai O Ferry Pier, the former Tai O Police Station is a western-style two-story building dating back to 1902. It was one of the earliest police stations on the outlying island.

Its main purpose was to combat pirates who roamed in the surrounding waters. Due to the declining crime rate, the police station was downgraded to a patrol post and then shut down in 2002.

The colonial style building used to have a report room, armory, change room, two cells and dormitories for officers. Now it has been transformed to “Tai O Heritage Hotel” offering only 9 rooms for accommodation. The profit from the hotel will be used to maintain other historical heritages.

Be sure to explore the hotel and its surroundings to discover all the small historical elements, maybe even enjoy an afternoon teatime, as well as the beautiful sunset in the evening. If you plan to visit Lantau Island more than a day, staying here is a very good option.

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5. Landscapes and photography

Rumors and myths about smuggling, pirates and pirates’ hideouts still exist around the traditional fishing village, which are no wonder due to Tai O’s maritime strategic position between the Pearl River Delta (Mainland China), Hong Kong, Macau and neighbouring areas.

Walking around Tai O and taking a closer look at the canals and small rivers flowing to the hinterland of Lantau Island, you almost can picture and feel how it was 200 – 300 years ago when pirates smuggled guns, drugs, tobacco and/or even people into and out of Hong Kong and Mainland China.

These unique settings attract many local amateur and professional photographers. Especially on weekend they flock into thousands to get the best close-up shot of dried fish or unique picture of Tai O and its surroundings.

• If you don’t plan to hike too far, there are some easily manageable spots inside and around the village.

  Photo spot: Tai Chung Bridge

  Close to the entrance, there is a blue rope-drawn bridge, called “Tai Chung Bridge”. Finished 1996, Tai Chung Bridge makes many residents’ life easier that they don’t need boat to cross any more. The bridge deck will be pulled up during the Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade to let the dragon boat pass underneath.

  

  Tai Chung Bridge

  The middle of the bridge is one of the vantage points for viewing the unique stilt houses on both sides of the small water channel.

  Photo spot: Sun Ki Street and Sun Ki Bridge

  Walk further to Sun Ki Street, you will find a red bridge, called Sun Ki Bridge, across the waterway. It is not only a bridge bring convenience to villagers’ life, but also a great spot for enjoying scenery and stilt houses.

  

  Sun Ki Bridge

  

  View of the stilt houses from Sun Ki Bridge

• For those who love to take some great landscape photos and hiking, you can walk further for some great photos. On the north of the village, there are two viewing points: Tai O Viewing Point and Fu Shan Viewing Point, where you can get the spectacular views. However be prepared at least 3 hours for a round trip to each viewing point. Fu Shan Viewing Point is 15-min walk from Kau San Tei Lookout Pavilion with panoramic view of the sea. At the end of the trail you will see the “Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and Tai O Bay.

  Another two popular photo spots Tseng Kwan Shek and Stone Obelisk also take a bit walking time.

  Photo spot: Tseung Kwan Shek

  The Tseung Kwan Shek is also called Old Man Rock or General Rock (“Tseung Kwan” means general and “Shek” means “rock” in Cantonese). The rock is a local landmark in Tai O and somehow looks a little bit like a General taking a rest (hence the name General Rock).

  Photo spot: Stone Obelisk

  Stone Obelisk, or called Lantau North Obelisk, was erected in 1902 as marks of the boundary between Hong Kong and Mainland China waters. Recent studies found that the stone obelisk has been misplaced far west and the height above sea level stated on it is highly inaccurate.

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6. Try a boat ride – village water tour and pink dolphin observation

By the side of Tai Chung Bridge is the inconspicuous pier where you can take the 20-min boat trip touring around the Stilt Houses or going out to sea for pink dolphin. It is also one of the best ways to observe the stilt houses on both sides. If you come at the right time, you may have chances to see the sunset whilst on the water.

Tai O is also famous for the Chinese white dolphin, which is now in the Critically Endangered animal group. When they grow to adult, their skin will turn to pink, as they are also called “Pink dolphin”.

Several boat tours are available and offered just in front the harbor side (next to the bus terminus). Small motorboats and local “kaidos” will take you on a short trip to watch these rare and beautiful dolphins.

If you have purchased the “360 Tai O Pass“, beside the pass boarding privilege for Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car, it also includes a 20-min boat ride. The boat ride will not only take you on the waterway along the stilt houses, but also take you out to sea for pink dolphin observation.

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7. Get to know salt industry in Tai O

The fishing industry relied heavily on salt to preserve fish and the shallow coastal waters have been optimal to produce salt in large amounts. Taking a look back about 50 years, here had more than 100 acres of salt-fields. Nowadays, many people are not even aware anymore that Tai O once had been famous for its thriving salt industry (hence the salty egg yolk snacks) back in the 1930s and 1940s.

Unfortunately, Tai O’s salt and agriculture industry collapsed in the 1960s and led not only to a shrinking fishing industry, but also to shrinking population. For all of you who are interested how a salt worker lived back then should have a look at the exhibition project initiated by the local Tai O community called “Salt Workers’ Quarters”.

Tai O is now trying to restore some old salt pans to show and educate interested people how Tai O once was famous for its salt production.

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8. Exhibition of historical artifacts of the village

If you have extra time or are interested in history and life of the village, there is an little exhibition you may check out.

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9. Dragon Boat Water Parade in Tai O

Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade or Gods Parade will be on Dragon Boat Festival every year. The residents of Tai O have worked hard to pass on this tradition from generation to generation. In 2011, Dragon Boat Water Parade in Tai O was inscribed onto the “National list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of China”.

If you happen to visit Tai O during the Dragon Boat Festival (in 2023 will be the 21st and 22nd of June), you shall not miss this over-100-year tradition. Tai O Dragon Boat Dragon Boat Water Parade and Races is one of the best events to experience dragon boat races as well as this village’s authentic culture and their Chinese stilt house community.

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Taste food and snack specialties

Being a village far away from downtown, Tai O has many special snacks that is not easy to find in the city. Walking in Tai O, almost every turn and corner you are bound to come across different street food and snacks. Lots of them are related with seafood due to Tai O being a fishing village. Usually seafood here is fresher and more delicious. Do grasp the chance and indulge yourself in the delicacies.

1. Chinese crepe/pizza

It can be considered as the salty version of crepe. You can customize the fillings that you would like to be wrapped inside.

2. Chinese Sata andagi (sugar puff/donut)

It is a Hong Kong version of Sata andagi, which is also called Sugar Puff. Covered with sugar powder, it’s always freshly prepared, soft, hot and delicious. You can get them from the store called “Tai O Bakery”.

3. Giant fish balls

The curry fish ball is a typical and popular street food in Hong Kong. However, the fish balls in Tai O is totally different and only available on the outlying island. Instead of curry sauce, it is boiled and soaked in the chilli soup and much bigger than the curry fish ball.

4. Master of grilled squid

This stand of grilled squid has been there for decades. Again, because they are using the charcoals to grill, the taste is different with all that done by modern machines.

5. Charcoal grilled egg waffle

Egg waffle or egglet is top one popular snacks representing Hong Kong. However, the egg waffle in Tai O is prepared over a charcoal stove but the shops in downtown area are using electronic waffle makers. With the heat and smoke from the charcoals, the egg waffle tastes more crispy and has a special smoky flavor.

6. Cha Guo

Cha Guo, or called tea dumpling, is made of glutinous rice powder and various herbs. You may find it is similar to the rice ball or the Japanese mochi with many color options. The color usually comes from the herb mixed in. There are sweet and salty cha guo with different fillings, such as peanuts, sesame paste, red bean paste, ect.. The most famous two stores are Cha Kwo Choi and Jan Gu Cha Kwo.

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How to Get to Tai O Fishing Village?

Tai O is far away from downtown area and on the remote western end of Hong Kong, the northwestern coast of Lantau Island. The simplest and most economic way is either getting to Tung Chung Town Center and then transferring to New Lantao Bus No.11 or taking Bus No.21 from Ngong Ping. Blue taxis are also an option.

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Nearby popular attractions on/close to Tai O

Lantau Island is a great treasure when it comes to attractions. Besides the Big Buddha / Tian Tan Buddha, Po Lin Monastery and Tai O Fishing Village these top attractions, there are many other things to see and to enjoy on Lantau Island, such as hiking, shopping, plane spotting. Besides, Hong Kong Disneyland theme park is also close to it.

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Map and Locations of Tai O and surrounding attractions: