Tai O Fishing Village, located on the western edge of Hong Kong’s Lantau Island, has remained unaffected by the rush and bustle of the modern city. It retains the true essence of an early Hong Kong fishing community. It is called the “Venice of Hong Kong” because of its intricate network of waterways and distinctive stilt residences above the water.
Tai O Fishing Village is a niche route for classic Hong Kong tours. Visitors who take a boat ride through the village or go out to sea for pink dolphins can visit the historical and century-old temples, hike the outskirts of the village, and eat delicious local foods. They can also visit the exhibition of historical artifacts of the village.
Tai O Fishing Village Facts
- Location: On Hong Kong’s largest island, Lantau Island, on the western coast. The distance between the airport and the city center is approximately 57 km and 28 km.
- Opening time: All day and night
- Ticket Price: Free of charge
- Time Needed: A half-day
- Best time to visit: All year round
- Suited to: anyone who enjoys culture, nature, wildlife, and seafood
What to See and Do in Tai O Fishing Village
1. Take a ride on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car
Be sure to experience it during your tours to Hong Kong. The Ngong Ping 360 cable car, known as the “Top Ten Best Cable Car Journeys in the World”, has a full route of 5.7km and takes 25 minutes to complete the entire journey.
Why does it take so long? Because it is the first bi-cable automobile in the world. Passengers will be able to enjoy the expansive views of the Ngong Ping Plateau, Lantau Island, and the Hong Kong International Airport thanks to the route’s design.
To accommodate a range of tastes, the cable car provides ordinary cabins, crystal cabins, and Crystal+. You will arrive at the lively Ngong Ping Market, a bustling marketplace that meets all of your needs, after getting off the cable car. You may discover everything you’re searching for here, including mouthwatering food, cool beverages, and fun things to do!
Tips:
- The Ngong Ping 360 cable car is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 and on Saturdays and Sundays from 09:00 to 18:30.
- Tickets: Adult one-way tickets for Standard Cabin start at $20, and adult round-trip tickets cost $29; adult tickets for Crystal Cabin start at $25, and adult round-trip tickets cost $30; adult tickets for the Panoramic cable car (standard cabin/Crystal+) round-trip start at $45.
2. Strolling on Tai O Market Street
You can explore the lively markets, which sell a range of regional specialties such as shrimp paste, salted fish, temple products, and souvenirs. You can take a closer look at the stores and chat with the friendly residents as you sample the deliciously prepared dishes.
3. Being captivated by Tai O’s stilt houses along the waterway
It was initially because the Tanka fishermen living on boats found the living space insufficient and were not accustomed to living on land, so they built shanties along the coast to serve as their dwellings. The closely packed stilt houses line both sides of the waterway, with wooden pillars reaching two to three meters high directly into the water, topped with wooden planks that support the tranquil and simple lives of the people of Tai O Fishing Village.
4. Visiting historic centuries-old temples
There are several temples constructed by the villagers surrounding Tai O Fishing Village. Though they are not large, each is a heritage structure with centuries of history. The Tin Hau Temple and the Guan Yu Temple stand side by side, decorated with ornate and elegant decors, making them the most visited temples in Tai O Fishing Village. The traditional decorations, like a fine work of art, hold the good wishes of the local villagers to pray for national prosperity and peace, as well as weather conditions.
5. Savor the renowned local foods of Tai O Fishing Village
Renowned for its seafood and snacks, with an abundance of restaurants and stalls offering delectable specialties such as salted fish, grilled oysters, giant fish balls, tofu pudding, charcoal grilled egg waffles, and Cha Guo.
Best Time to Visit Tai O Fishing Village
Tai O Fishing Village is suitable for travel all year round, but you can plan your visit based on the following factors:
Weather: October through March, which is fall and winter, is the ideal time of year to visit Tai O Fishing Village. October and November are particularly pleasant months for outdoor activities, as they are warm and cozy. Though it’s a wonderful destination to come at other times of the year, Tai O Fishing Village is better suited for a year-round vacation.
Spring is around 20 degrees. Summer is hot and humid, with high temperatures reaching about 38 degrees, sometimes with heavy rain and thunderstorms. Fall is breezy and sunny in the fishing villages. In winter, Tai O fishing village is dry and slightly colder, but the average temperature is also around 20 degrees.
Events: Tai O fishing village always organizes many interesting traditional events. For example, during the Dragon Boat Festival in June, the traditional “Dragon Boat Water Parade” is held to commemorate the event. During the Mid-Autumn Festival in September or October, the spectacular Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance is performed. The fishing village of Tai O is very lively on these occasions.
How to Get to Tai O Fishing Village
Take the MTR Tung Chung Line, get off at Tung Chung Station Road, walk from exit B to the bus terminus, and then take the New Lantao Bus No. 11 to Tai O Bus Terminus. It’s about 50 minutes. Please note that weekend or Sunday tickets are a little expensive.
To save money, take a ferry from Pier 6 in Central to Mui Wo on Lantau Island and then take Lantau Bus 1 to Tai O Bus Terminus.
You can also take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car to Ngong Ping and then take bus no. 21 to Tai O Fishing Village. In this way, you can have a bird’s-eye view of Tung Chung.
Attractions nearby Tai O Fishing Village
Tian Tan Buddha: Located at the top of Mo Yuk Shan in Ngong Ping, Lantau Island, the Tian Tan Giant Buddha is the world’s tallest outdoor bronze seated Buddha. This bronze seated statue is 34 meters tall and was made with 250 tons of bronze and 4 pounds of gold. This stately and majestic Buddha, which took 12 years to build, sits at the top of the hill overlooking the whole of Hong Kong, giving it a solemn and mysterious feel.
Golden Bauhinia Square: The Golden Bauhinia Square is a must-see in Hong Kong. It was set up to commemorate the restoration of Chinese sovereignty over Hong Kong. Adjacent to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This is not only a good place to enjoy the scenery of Victoria Harbour, but also a good place to feel the charm of Hong Kong.
Lantau Peak: The second-highest peak in Hong Kong, it provides nature lovers and adventure seekers with panoramic vistas of Lantau Island during a four-hour hike.
