If you’re looking for an escape from the neon-lit skyscrapers of Hong Kong, Tai O Fishing Village may just be the idyllic retreat waiting for you. Here, you can still find age-old traditions that have survived for centuries!
In this in-depth travel guide, we’ll be exploring the history and the top things to do while you’re in this quaint traditional village. Spoiler alert: There’s definitely more to Tai O than it meets the eye!
Get ready to go through the winding waterways to find out why it has earned the moniker of being the “Venice of Hong Kong!”
Also, if you need a travel guide to Hong Kong, you can check out my article by clicking the link.
History of Tai O Fishing Village
The history of Tai O stretches back hundreds of years. As a former fishing village, Tai O has seen fishermen casting their nets under the Asian sun since the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644).
The locals built their stilt houses over the tidal flats to keep their homes safe from the sea. These structures create a picturesque townscape and paint a vivid picture of life in a bygone era.
Today, Tai O is one of the last remaining places in Hong Kong where you can see these traditional houses!
Tai O also became known for its production of shrimp paste and salted fish, commodities that were, and still are, integral to the Cantonese culinary culture.
A walk through the village today will often lead you past the open-air sun-drying seafood stands.
But perhaps the most interesting bit of Tai O’s history lies in its ties with pirates. Yes, you read that right – pirates!
Back in the day, Tai O’s strategic location and waterways made it a favored spot for these maritime marauders. Although the pirate ships have long since sailed away, the adventurous spirit remains!
Why is Tai O Famous?
In the centuries that followed after becoming a fishing hub, it blossomed into a center of the local salt trade.
This white gold, as it was often called, helped Tai O rise in prominence, eventually earning it the nickname “The Venice of Hong Kong”.
Why is Tai O Called Tai O?
Tai O, pronounced “Tai Ao”, translates to “large inlet” in Cantonese, which perfectly reflects its location and its connection to the sea.
Is Tai O Fishing Village Worth It?
Absolutely, visiting Tai O is totally worth it!
For me, there’s just something magical about the village that can’t quite be put into words.
Stepping into Tai O feels like stepping into a whole other world – a world where life moves at a slower, gentler pace, where age-old traditions are not just preserved but are a living, breathing part of the community.
It’s very different from the rest of the places I visited in Hong Kong, that’s for sure!
It’s one of the few places in Hong Kong where you can see and experience a way of life that has persisted for centuries.
Add to that the chance to spot rare pink dolphins on a boat tour and the countless photo opportunities, you’ve got a destination that’s more than just worth it.
One thing I would have to mention however is that making a day trip only to Tai O may not be the best use of your time, I recommend pairing it with a visit to the other sites around Lantau such as the Ngong Ping Plateau for an epic day trip!
You can read more about that on my Lantau Island travel guide and don’t forget to get travel insurance if you haven’t already!
How to Get to Tai O Fishing Village
Reaching Tai O from Hong Kong is actually quite straightforward. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
From Hong Kong City Center to Tung Chung:
MTR (Mass Transit Railway): Take the Tung Chung Line (orange) from Hong Kong Station. The journey is about 30 minutes long, ending at Tung Chung Station, the last stop on the line.
Car: Alternatively, if you rent a car, you can go to Hong Kong directly to Tai O. There’s plenty of parking space available and the journey will take around 1 hour. It gives you much more freedom to explore the other sights around Lantau Island as well.
From Tung Chung to Tai O:
Bus: After arriving at Tung Chung Station, exit the station and head towards the nearby bus terminus. From there, take Bus 11 to Tai O. The journey will take about 40-45 minutes, and buses usually run every 30 minutes or so.
Taxi: There are also taxis available from Tung Chung, but they are pricier than the bus. The taxi stand is located near the Tung Chung MTR station exit. The ride to Tai O should take about 20 – 25 minutes.
From Tuen Mun to Tai O:
- Ferry: If you happen to be in the New Territories, you can also take a ferry from Tuen Mun directly to Tai O. The ferry service is available on weekends and public holidays, and the journey takes about 1 hour and a half.
Top Things to Do in Tai O Fishing Village
1. Walk Around the Tai O Promenade
Take a leisurely stroll along the Tai O Promenade, the closest place near where your bus arrives which is just at the outskirts of the village.
The promenade is a waterfront walkway that offers views of the surrounding mountains and lakes along with the village. Viewing the timeless stilt houses from afar also gives you a unique perspective of Tai O.
To be honest, I ended up here just because I got too car-sick on the bus ride coming from Ngong Ping (pro-tip: don’t sit at the back seat because the mountain paths zig-zag endlessly!)
In the end, it was quite worth it as I was able to discover an interesting place instead of going directly to the village, do check it out as it offer you a bit of a breather before the much crowded areas.
2. Explore Tai O Market Street
The moment you step onto Market Street, your senses are immediately awakened.
This lively part of the village is packed with vendors selling everything from seafood to traditional handicrafts. I saw dried shrimp and plenty of fish all the way to exotic sea creatures, these sun-dried delicacies are a must-try!
Tai O is famous for its shrimp paste and salted fish. You can even find shops where they prepare the shrimp paste the old-fashioned way – sun-dried and fermented.
The Market Street is usually the most crowded part of Tai O but if you’re done shopping and dining to your heart’s content then it’s time to visit the true side of Tai O.
3. Admire Tai O's Traditional Houses
Known locally as “pang uks”, these houses are delicately perched on wooden stilts above the tidal flats of Lantau Island.
As you wander around the labyrinth of narrow alleyways, you’ll come across charming clusters of houses, their weathered exteriors echoing stories of yesteryears.
While most of these houses are made of simple, rustic materials like wood and corrugated metal, their appeal goes far beyond their physical structures.
They are remarkable symbols of the traditional fishing lifestyle and a great example of man’s adaptation to nature, built with the ebbs and flows of the tide in mind.
Plenty of the houses here are made with recycled and sustainable materials. I was really impressed in seeing how some residents were using pipes cut in half for gardening and flower growing.
What makes these houses even more special is their undeniable sense of community. Many are built so close together that neighbors can easily share conversations from their windows, it’s a very friendly vibe all around.
Kids running around playing, neighbors sharing the day’s gossip, the scent of meals being cooked, the daily chores being carried out – it’s these slices of life that truly make Tai O so memorable for me.
Not to mention it was a very quiet and intimate experience, something that’s quite difficult to get in Hong Kong.
4. Check Out Tai O Heritage Hotel
Perched atop a small hill, the Tai O Heritage Hotel is a living remnant of the village’s turbulent past!
If you’re taking a walk around the Tai O then you’ll more than likely come across it but know that it’s more than just simple building!
Established in 1902, the Tai O Heritage Hotel was actually first known as the Old Tai O Police Station, one of the earliest police depots on Hong Kong’s outlying islands.
It was built on a small hill next to the Tai O Ferry Pier to fortify the police forces on Lantau Island and to combat pirates prevalent in the neighbouring waters.
As crime rates declined, the police station ceased operation in 2002, having functioned as a patrol post from 1996. It would have been easy for this piece of history to fade into oblivion, but instead, a new chapter awaited.
In 2009, the Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation was selected to restore and repurpose the Old Tai O Police Station. This initiative involved converting the station into a nine-room boutique hotel!
In 2012, the renovated police station was unveiled as the Tai O Heritage Hotel with further acclaim came in 2013 when the hotel was conferred the prestigious UNESCO Award of Merit for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
And if you’re curious, yes, you can actually book a night at the hotel.
5. Go on a Boat Tour
Hopping on a boat tour is a great way to experience the village and to get a clearer picture of the surrounding vicinity. It’s quite affordable at around 25 HKD (3 USD) and it doesn’t take too much of your time as well, usually around 30 minutes or so.
More than just the fishing village, your boat tour will also take you to explore Tai O’s mangrove forests and mudflats. Where you’ll be treated to a glimpse of the rich biodiversity that calls these habitats home. You got crabs, birds, and even more crabs!
There’s also the elusive pink dolphin though I wouldn’t get my hopes too high nor make it the goal for the boat tour because you might get disappointed.
They are pretty rare afterall, the boat tour offers much more than the dolphins though if you see one, count yourself as lucky!
6. Hike to Fu Shan Viewing Point
The hike up to Fu Shan Viewing Point is actually the main highlight of Tai O for me!
The views here are unlike any other and that’s not an exaggeration, it can even match the legendary Dragon’s Back in terms of beauty.
Fu Shan, translating to “Tiger Mountain,” is actually a very chill hike.
It’s a gentle ascent that most people with a moderate level of fitness can handle, though at that time after doing the Dragon’s Back the day before, my legs were still a bit fatigued, it was still very much doable though!
The trail takes you through areas teeming with flora and fauna but the icing on the cake is the ridge way with the gazebo.
Throughout the hike, on one side you can see the mountains of Lantau island and the tiny Tai O village below, on the other side you can see the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge as it extends to the horizon and the vast expanse of the South China Sea.
You’re wondering why they call this the “Viewing Point”? Read on below!
7. Spot the Pink Dolphins
But still, the list can’t be complete without mentioning Tai O’s iconic pink dolphins, also known as the Chinese White Dolphins.
These delightful creatures are famous for their unique pinkish hue, a color that results from a combination of blood vessels beneath their skin and their pale blubber.
Tai O’s coastal waters are one of the few places worldwide where you can see these beautiful animals in their natural habitat.
Most often, these dolphins are spotted during boat tours. As your boat (sampan) glides across the water, keep your eyes peeled for the characteristic splash and a flash of pink.
Dolphin sightings can’t be guaranteed on every trip, as it depends on the dolphins’ own plans for the day!
If you’re really serious about sighting the dolphins, you can check out Hong Kong Dolphin Watch, note that they are more expensive than your average boat tours but have a much higher success rate in finding dolphins though this is already outside Tai O.
Besides the boat tours, Fu Shan Viewing Point gets its name because it’s also actually a vantage point for spotting these majestic creatures.
From the height of the viewing point, you may yet spot the dolphins’ dorsal fins breaking the surface of the water in the distance.
Up the top, you can find a statue dedicated to the dolphins themselves!
8. Marvel at the General's Rock
If you’re making a lap around the Tai O’s coastal perimeter then you’ll encounter the famed General’s Rock or Tseung Kwan Shek as it’s locally known.
Standing tall at 10 meters, it’s located on the seacliff of the northwestern part of the Fu Shan trail.
With its unique formation, the rock resembles a valiant general at rest, hence its name.
The legend associated with General’s Rock is quite a funny one though. It’s said that a general accidentally fell off a cliff and, in the process, his pants came off.
Before he could fix the situation, he was punished by the heavenly court and transformed into a rock. Over time, coastal erosion has created a natural arch in the “leg” portion of the rock, making it look the general’s leaning on the mountain.
The rock formation itself is a still sight to behold, and the views here are simply divine!
Which brings me to the next item on the list.
9. Catch the Sunset
With its unobstructed views over the water and tranquil ambiance, Tai O offers some of the most charming sunsets in Hong Kong.
One of the best places to catch the sunset is either at Tai O Promenade or from the aforementioned General’s Rock.
Another great spot to catch the sunset is from the Fu Shan Viewing Point. The views from the top are already beautiful on their own but when it’s being basked by sun’s golden rays, oh man. That’s a shot right there.
10. Visit Yeung Hau Temple
Situated on the northern bank of Tai O’s main creek, Yeung Hau Temple is the centerpiece for local spirituality. Established in 1699, it’s one of Hong Kong’s oldest temples!
The temple is dedicated to Hau Wong, who is believed to be Yeung Leung-jit. Historical accounts tell us that Yeung was a loyal follower of the last Emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty.
If you’re curious the religion is actually local folk religion, not Taoist nor Buddhist, Chinese folk religion is usually a mix of both and a bit of Confucianism in between. You can find just how mixed the religions are in Hong Kong if you go to the idol cemetery near Wah Fu Estate.
When the royal family was forced to flee to Kowloon due to Mongol invasions, Yeung remained steadfast in his duty, protecting and serving the imperial family.
According to another tale, the temple was built in memory of a Tai O villager named Yeung who miraculously cured the Southern Song Emperor of a severe illness when the royal family sought refuge in Kowloon City.
Regardless of the stories, Hau Wong is universally revered for his loyalty and righteousness plus the temple itself is a beautiful example of traditional Chinese architecture, with an intricate roof adorned with ceramic shard works and a serene interior illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns and the scent of burning incense.
You’ll end up here after you finish going around the other side of the Fu Shan Viewing Point which is actually just a loop to the other side of Tai O, a perfect way to end the trek!
11. Take a Trip to Ngong Ping Village
If you feel like you finished early with Tai O, then I whole heartedly recommend going to the nearby Ngong Ping Village next which is just a short bus ride away.
From there you can visit the world-famous Tian Tan Buddha amongst other sites like the Po Lin Monastery, Wisdom Path, and Lantau Peak.
The Big Buddha is a giant 34 m (112 ft) bronze statue of the Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism and the central figure in Theravada Buddhism if you’ve ever been around Southeast Asian countries, you know what I’m talking about.
The Big Buddha is surrounded by the Po Lin Monastery and the Wisdom Path, where you can find the Heart Sutra carved on its wooden planks, illustrating the concept of emptiness.
To get to Ngong Ping from Tai O, you can take a Bus 21 which takes you directly there.
You can also book this tour that covers Lantau Island’s must see sights including the Tian Tan Buddha, roundtrip cable car tickets, and a dolphin boat tour in Tai O.
Where to Stay in Tai O Fishing Village
Tai O is home to some really quaint and home-y establishments, two of which truly stand out:
Best Hotels in Tai O Fishing Village
- Tai O Inn, by the Sea – offers air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms and complimentary Wifi. The inn provides luggage storage and daily room service for guests. Certain units boast a terrace featuring an outdoor dining area with sea views, and all rooms come equipped with heating facilities.
- Tai O Heritage Hotel – the aforementioned revitalized colonial building, the Tai O Heritage Hotel combines traditional elegance with contemporary furnishings in its well-appointed rooms. The glass-roofed Tai O Lookout Restaurant, with its breathtaking views of the South China Sea, serves a blend of local and international cuisines.
How to Get Around Tai O Fishing Village
Tai O is actually quite compact and there’s not much room for wheels. All you’ll be needing are your legs and you’re good to go!
And if you’re planning on going around the other sights of Lantau Island, then just head to the bus terminal located outside the city where you can also find some taxis waiting.
Best Time to Visit Tai O Fishing Village
The months from October to early December are considered the best time to visit as the weather is pleasantly cool with clear skies and moderate temperatures, usually ranging between 15°C – 25°C (59°F – 77°F). This is the perfect time to explore the village, hike the trails, or enjoy a sunset without the weather getting in your way.
However, if you want to witness some of Tai O’s unique cultural events, you might want to plan your visit around the Dragon Boat Festival, which usually takes place in June.
If your main purpose is to catch a glimpse of the endangered pink dolphins, then the warmer months from April to October are your best bet as the dolphins are more active during this period. Temperatures during these months typically range from 20°C – 30°C (68°F – 86°F).
Visiting on weekdays or arriving early in the day can help avoid the bigger crowds that usually gather on weekends. I made the mistake of going to Lantau on a weekend holiday and I literally couldn’t catch a bus back as the line was too long and all the buses were too full.
Plan Your Trip to Hong Kong | Best Travel Resources
Book Your Accommodations
- Booking.com – the world’s leading online booking platform for accomodations around the world, they have an extensive amount of available listings with zero booking fees and best price guarantees.
- Hostelworld – a backpacker’s best friend, Hostelworld has the largest collection of hostels and guesthouses for affordable prices.
Don’t Forget Insurance
- SafetyWing – from Nomad Insurance, an insurance by nomads for nomads. They understand our lifestyle well and have really comprehensive and flexible plans that cater to any traveler.
Find Cheap Flights
- Kiwi.com – my go-to for booking and finding the cheapest flights and it’s helped me save tons of money. They do virtual interlining which is connecting flights from airlines that do not codeshare, so you can find routes that you wouldn’t be able to find normally.
Join Tours & Activities
- GetYourGuide – is one of the best places to find unique tours and activities. I found that it’s an excellent way to meet fellow travelers and create fond memories. They are not only limited to tours as they also offer niche services such as skip-the-line tickets or private transfers.
Catch a Ride
- Rentalcars.com – nothing beats the freedom of the road, Rentalcars.com is the world’s largest online car rental service. They operate across 160 countries so they’re the perfect partner to work with if you find yourself wanting a ride.
