Tai O Fishing Village, Lantau Island

Even though Tai O is not much of a fishing village these days, it is worth a trip.

As you might have heard, 100 years ago Hong Kong was not much more than a fishing village. Even a few decades back, fishing was the livelihood for a good percentage of the population. Tai O village has retained some interesting housing from its fishing days: shacks on stilts. A fire had actually destroyed many of them but since they were so unique, the residents were allowed by the government to rebuild them in the same style.

Another attraction are the pink dolphins. For as little as HK$20 (~US$2.50), you can get a seat on a dolphin tour boat. But then of course, catching a glimpse of them is not guaranteed. After all they are not domesticated.

And then there are the snacks, all kinds of them as a matter of fact.

Since Tai O is on Lantau Island away from the city center, it does take some time to get there. The easiest way would probably be taking the MTR subway from the Hong Kong Station in Central to Tung Chung station on Lantau Island, and then either take a bus or taxi.