Tai O in Hong Kong

Do you know that Tai O (大澳) is nicknamed the “Venice of Hong Kong” because of its water town appearance?

Tai O located on the west side of Lantau Island. It’s one of the last fishing villages in Hong Kong.

It is also the home to those who live on water, like Tankas and Hoklos. This place was once flourished with fishing industry and salt production due to its proximity to the sea. But the fisheries nowadays barely sustain the villagers’ income.

However, because of how remote it is from urbanized area, Tai O get to preserve its village-like lifestyle, as well as its nostalgic fishing village scenery. This draws lots of tourists and even Hongkongers to visit every year.

So…what’s so charming about this backwater (pun may or may not intended) town?

A lot of photographers find this place a paradise since it holds some of the most pristine views in Hong Kong, and the clusters of stilt houses (棚屋) is an interesting sight to those who grow up in concrete jungle.

Since Tai O and the Lantau Island are actually separated by a canal, crossing the bridge that connects the two places sure is fun. If you could have come like, 20 years earlier, you would even see the rope ferry, managed by the locals, taking people from one side to the other side.

You are in “Venice” after all. Why not take a boat ride? The villagers will gladly offer you a tour on boat (for a price, of course) so that you can sight-see from another angle. The boats will also go to the open seas, where you can take a look at the fishermen, who should be busy working on their ships, and the beautiful coastline of Lantau Island. Oh, and if you are lucky, you may spot the famous Chinese white dolphins!

You are hungry? Let’s get back on the land and eat something. There are lots of cafés and restaurants at your choice. But! It would be a shame if you don’t try out the popular oversize fish balls which can only be found in Tai O, or that huge squid, or the grilled cuttlefish…

But don’t just enjoy yourself and forget the souvenir! You don’t know what to buy? Come on, what else but dried seafood? Please don’t even claim that you have been to Tai O if you don’t buy some salted fish, or shrimp paste, or both.

But…yeah, not everyone can stand the smell…