Tai O fishing village: A peaceful retreat by the sea
About a week ago, I experienced what I think is one of the coolest things I’ve done so far during my time in Hong Kong, and that was a day trip to Tai O fishing village, located on Lantau island. If you’re like me and desperately searching for something to do outside of the (at times) overwhelming city, hop the ferry or bus to Tai O and experience an interesting culture brought about by the Tanka people. The Tanka people, known as ‘gypsies of the sea’ have been inhabiting Tai O fishing village for the last 200 years, after previously living on junk boats wandering the South China Sea.
The first thing you need to do upon arriving is experience what the locals are known for: seafood. I wasted little time in getting my hands on some scallops and oysters. A non-fishy treat I enjoyed is what I can best describe as a sweet pork roll (think bacon, with a sweet saturation of honey).
From there, I just simply explored the area. In addition to seafood, Tai O is known for its picturesque stilted houses, which are fascinating just to simply look at. I also took a short boat ride around the area with the hopes of catching a glimpse of a Chinese white dolphin (also known as pink dolphins). For only $20 HKD – about $2.60 USD – I rather enjoyed this. Even though I didn’t see a single dolphin, it was a nice day on the water, with great views of the entire village from afar. I exited the boat early, but I believe the complete ride takes you around the outskirts of the village, and then finishes through the narrow canals of the stilted homes. That’s why some refer to Tai O as the “Venice” of Hong Kong, or the “Venice of the Orient”.
I closed my trip by enjoying tea and snacks at the historic Tai O Heritage Hotel. Built under British colonial rule in 1902, the hotel was originally a police station constructed to guard the shore against pirates. The grounds are beautiful and the history is just as interesting. You can still find bullet holes preserved in the walls. I’m not sure I could stay here for an entire week (due to its seclusion), but I would strongly consider a weekend getaway here. The hotel does do private tours, but be sure to set it up in advance.
After my full day, I felt refreshed and at peace. There’s something about being on the water that does it for me.
How to get to Tai O:
Take the MTR to Tung Chung (orange line). From there, I took the ferry from the Tung Chung Development pier, it was about a 25-minute ride and you can use your Octopus card. You can also travel there via bus.
What to do while there:
Explore! Although small, the village is quite scenic and beautiful. There are a couple of temples worth checking out as well. I visited Tin Hau temple and the Kwan Tai Temple, but there are a few others on site.
What to eat:
Any and all the seafood! Be sure to pick up a jar of shrimp paste, it’s famous in Tai O. Looking for dessert? Try the egg waffles. This was closed while I was there, so another trip will be in order for me.
Have you taken a trip to Tai O? Tell me about it below!
And a special shout out to my friend, Amy, at Hong Kong Greeters for showing me this peaceful retreat by the sea.