Cheung Chau or ‘The Dumbell Island’, nicknamed so because of its shape, is one amongst several islands comprising the landscape of Hong Kong. Lying at a distance 10 kilometres southwest of Hong Kong, it is only a ferry’s ride away from the Central ferry pier. Ranging from picturesque beaches to cycle rides and to the delicious seafood, Cheung Chau has everything for a perfect picnic spot.
Despite its small area, Cheung Chau has been one of Hong Kong’s most popular island getaways owing to the disparate attractions it has on offer. The ferry ride to the island is an adventure in itself. The walk through Cheung Chau is filled with sights of fruit and vegetable stands, herbal shops and street food. The east side of the island embraces a couple of beautiful beaches which are the spot to be on a hot day while the Southern end is home to the ‘Mini Great Wall’, a trail that overlooks the South China Sea.
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Places to Visit in Cheung Chau
Cheung Po Tsai Cave: Cheung Chau happens to have its very own history of pirates and caves. The southwest corner of Cheung Chaus beholds the Cheung Po Tsai Cave. The cave’s trail provides an exhilarating adventure which is to everyone’s taste and definitely requires a visit.
Kwan Kung Pavilion temple: Kwan Kung is a temple built in 1973 as a tribute to the Han dynasty. Inside the temple lies an 8 feet tall statue of King Kwan Kung, who is deified in the Chinese culture. The temple has a very peaceful atmosphere with an awe-striking sight of cherry blossoms making it a great location for Instagram photoshoots.
North Lookout Pavilion: This pavilion is the highest vantage point in Cheung Chau which overlooks the beautiful glistening view of the South China Sea. This spot is also popular for viewing sunsets.
Pak Tai Temple: This temple was built about 200 years ago in honour of Pak Tai, the Taoist Sea God. The iconic feature of this temple is the gold plated furniture as well as a souvenir sword of the Song Dynasty.
Source Reclining Rocks: The reclining rocks are a cluster of 5 giant rocks along the Western coastline of Cheung Chau which provide the visitors with a perfect spot for a lazy afternoon. Its fabulous view and the sea breeze makes it an ideal picnic spot.
Tin Hau Temple: This temple was built in honour of the God of Sea, Tin Hau, about 200 years ago. The temple houses a bronze bell from the Qianlong era and is one amongst the 70 temples dedicated to Tin Hau in Hong Kong.
Tung Wan and Kwun Yam Beach: These two beaches in Cheung Chau have gathered a reputation as surfing spots. Apart from the magnificent view, the high tides on these beaches make them ideal for water sports. Lee Lai-Shan, a Hong Kong Olympic surfer once used to train on these beaches which adds to their legend.
The Cheung Chau Bun festival, hosted from the 9th to the 13th of May, marks a week of colourful yet odd celebrations. The festival originated as a celebration for the end of a plague in the area after several months of worship to God Pak Tai.
Each year, thousands of tourists and locals gather around to witness participants climb their way up to a 60-feet tall bamboo tower wrapped in handmade buns. The Bun Festival is highlighted by dragon dances, parades, drum beating and some yummy festive delicacies.
Best Time to Visit
It is recommended to visit Cheung Chau in May due to the Cheung Chau Bun Festival. Moreover, the summer compliments existent activities. Visits should be made on weekdays between 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM since weekends attract a large crowd of visitors.
Tips
1. It is recommended that visitors wear loose clothing and bring sunglasses/umbrellas since the weather in this location is generally hot and humid. 2. One should carry a water bottle and expect quite a lot of walking. 3. Services provided on the island include - ATMs, Restrooms, and Rental Cycles
How To Reach Cheng Chau
The easiest way to reach Cheung Chau island is to take the MTR to Central Station, take exit E1 and walk to the Central ferry pier number 5. There are two types of ferries available. The first being a fast one which costs around HKD 20 while the slow one costs around HKD 13. However, if not in a hurry, it is recommended for one to take the slow ferry which despite not having luxuries such as air conditioners, provides a marvellous open view of the sea.
