Tai O Village in Hong Kong: Fallen out of time

Tai O Village, located on Lantau Island in Hong Kong, is a prime example of a traditional Chinese fishing village, that seems to have fallen out of time. Where houses are built on stilts and people still live of salt fish and shrimp paste, time seems to slow down. In this tiny place, the Asian metropolis of Hong Kong is still what it once was, a simple fishing village on the South China Sea.

Salt fish in Tai O fishing village in Lantau Island Hongkong

The tranquil Tai O Village is probably the oldest human settlement on the island of Lantau. And everyone who comes here all the way from the Hong Kong Islands will believe that on first sight. Because it seems that not much has changed since the first settlement at this location.

On the contrary, the place reveals itself to the visitor as a bizarre fishing idyll that somewhat looks like a old Chinese mixture of Pirates of the Caribbean and Kevin Costner’s Waterworld. One has nearly the feeling that any second Johnny Depp could show up behind the next boat waving around a hard piece of salt fish.

Bay of Tai O fishing village in Lantau Island HongkongStilt houses in Tai O fishing village in Lantau Island Hongkong

In fact, a hundred years ago Tai O fishing village was one of the most important fishing and trading ports of China. Most residents are descendants of the Tanka people, a community of southwest Chinese migrants, who are actually more closely related to the peoples of Southeast Asia than with the Han Chinese.

The special feature is that for generations they have built their houses, so called Pang uks, on wooden stilts over the tideland of Lantau Island to protect them against floods what gives the whole place in a surreal charm.

Boats in Tai O fishing village in Lantau Island Hongkong
Stilt houses at the Tai O waterfront

Tai O fishing village in Lantau Island Hongkong with stilt houses
Some of the stilt houses in Tai O look very fragile

Tai O fishing village in Lantau Island Hongkong

Other residents of Tai O live in so-called sampans, Chinese houseboats, which it seems, have not moved from the spot for decades. All this gave rise to the flattering nickname “Venice of Hong Kong”.

Even today, numerous old salt pans on the coast testify that the Tanka traditionally lived off the salt extraction. However, most were already piled to build houses on it.

Fisherman in Tai O fishing village in Lantau Island HongkongFishes in Tai O fishing village in Lantau Island Hongkong

Nevertheless, fishing plays a major role even today in the lives of local people, what you realize quickly as visitors of the market. Because it is full of fish of all kinds: fresh fish, dried fish, salted fish, fried fish, fish balls, fish fillets, fish paste and other kinds. In particular, many older locals still make their living from traditional fishing, duck farming and the production of the famous salt fish and shrimp paste, a spice paste commonly used in Asian cuisine, consisting of fermented shrimp that can be very unfamiliar to westerners.

Much more striking, however, the famous salted fish is hung out everywhere to dry in the scorching sun and comes with another thing that is omnipresent in Tai O, the distinctive fishy odor that hangs like a pall of smog over the streets.

Dry fish in Tai O fishing village in Lantau Island HongkongFish chips in Tai O fishing village in Lantau Island HongkongSouvenirs in Tai O fishing village in Lantau Island Hongkong

Those who prefer to try local fish products rather freshly prepared, should visit one of the quaint restaurants along Tai O Market Street. You can get everything lovingly prepared from crab to shrimp and steamed fish balls.

Modern life comes very slowly in Tai O and also with a little sadness, therefore, when you see old photographs of the fishing village. Once the islet of Tai O was connected to Lantau Island with a 15-meter long rope-tow ferry. A transport system that has been drawn day after day by old, sprightly Tanka women, an attraction in itself which unfortunately was replaced in 1996 by a manually operated drawbridge.

The Tai O Heritage Hotel in Tai O fishing village in Lantau Island Hongkong

Nevertheless, there is something more enjoyable on the other side of the Shek Tsai Po Street. When you walk along the esplanade after about 20 minutes you will get to the beautifully restored old Tai O Police Station that is located on a hill near the ferry terminal.

Since 1902, long time before the days of Costner and Depp, this building was actually built to protect the surrounding waters against smuggling and piracy. Exactly one hundred years later, however, the time-honoured building was converted into the Tai O Heritage Hotel, a nice place that invites you to linger and give your own sense of smell a little break from the ever-present smell of fish on the market.

Boat ride in Tai O fishing village in Lantau Island Hongkong

And in case that it is still not easy to get rid of it, I can recommend to take a tour with one of the rather simple fishing boats along the river and then out to sea (departing from the footbridge). Out here you will not only enjoy the warm and salty breeze of the South China Sea, with luck and in the right season, you can even see the Chinese White Dolphin, a species of dolphins that is also called Pink Dolphin by locals due to its pink look.

And then again back in Tai O Village you will be lulled quickly by the distinctive smell of dry fish, almost as if the place wanted to preserve everything forever. So far, this worked quite well.

Graffiti in Tai O fishing village in Lantau Island Hongkong

Getting to Lantau and Tai O village:

1. Getting to Tai O Village with the MTR:

MTR Tung Chung Station. Take the bus no. 11 to Tai O bus station (the ride takes about 50 minutes). Then, five minute stroll to the ferry bridge.

MTR Tung Chung Station, Exit B. Ngong Ping cable car to Ngong Ping Village (about 25 minutes). From there bus no. 21 about 20 minutes to Tai O bus station.

2. Getting to Tai O Village by bus:

Tai O can be reached by bus (New Lantau Bus) from the following locations:

Mui Wo – Bus No. 1.
Tung Chung – bus No. 11.
Ngong Ping – bus No. 21.
The Tai O ferry terminal is close to the Tai O bus terminus, linking Tuen Mun, Sha Lo Wan and Tung Chung Tai O.

Planning a trip? Check out my favorite Hong Kong travel guides:

I have used the Lonely Planet Hong Kong for 6 trips to HK in over 13 years and I have to say: it’s still the best! Especially for backpackers it has some really useful advice like up-to-date-hotels, bus routes, cheap eats and so on. A good alternative is Fodor’s Hong Kong.

Another tip: Check out the app My Hong Kong Guide where you can create your own personalized travel guide and check it via your smartphone from everywhere. 

Where to stay in Hong Kong:

The city offers great options as well. Where to stay in Hong Kong? Here is our guide from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island, from budget to bling. Here is our guide from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island, from budget to bling: Where to stay in Hong Kong – Budget to Boutique

More Articles on Hong Kong Travel:

• My addiction to Hong Kong: A confession

Where to stay in Hong Kong – Budget to Boutique

• Hong Kong from above: a tram ride through the city of WOW’s

Unordinary things to do in Hong Kong

Anekdotique was a guest of the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Thank you! All opinions, exaggerations and bad jokes are my own.

  1. Weronika says:

    It is a great place. Thanks for sharing! Sadly when I visited I was not very lucky with the weather.

    Reply
  2. Aggy says:

    Wow looks amazing. Love salted fish and shrimp paste, hmmm…they must have some really good produce there seeing from what you describe. HK is definitely on my must-travel list!

    Reply
  3. anusha says:

    It is a great place. Thanks for sharing! Sadly when I visited Tai O in Hong Kong I was not very lucky with the weather.

    Reply
  4. Dev says:

    Superb place and wonderful city of Tai O in Hong Kong.
    Thanks for sharing information
    Great work ?

    Reply

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