PLACES – HK’s Least Loved Outlying Island? A Visit to Peng Chau


A short distance from the southern coastline of Lantau lies the small island of Peng Chau…

Not to be confused with Ping Chau in HK’s northeast, this rustic yet easily accessible island has an area of less on 1km.

Fresh seafood, temples, some reasonable beaches and walking routes attract tourists every weekend. Finger Hill offers some rewarding views for hikers…

Some of Peng Chau’s temples are up to 400 years old.

In the 70s and 80s it was a centre of industry, but now its abandoned workshops and easygoing pace have made it a fitting escape the metropolis.

Around 6,300 people live on the island yet there are no cars – only bicycles and small motorised carts.

The south-east corner around Nam Wan and Tai Wo feature woodland and organic farms, whilst there is a covered market and narrow shopping streets around the pier area.

Peng Chau is small and can be easily covered in half a day, so you can island-hop via the Inter Island Ferry to Mui Wo or Cheung Chau. (A new ferry between Peng Chau and Hei Ling Chau opened in August 2013, but it is unclear if the island is open to the public).

BBC: ‘The Real Hong Kong’ visiting Peng Chau…

Regular ferries from Central leave from Pier 6 around every 45-50 minutes – check the timetable here. The journey takes about 25-30 minutes by fast ferry and 40 minutes by ordinary ferry.

map_big2.jpg (470×351)

Map of the island:

 Places to see off-the-beaten-track and attractions to visit across the city…



4 thoughts on “PLACES – HK’s Least Loved Outlying Island? A Visit to Peng Chau

  • smog

    Good stuff – Peng Chau also has a significant Thai community, which brings with it a couple of simple but excellent local restaurants.

    By the way, as far as I am aware, Hei Ling Chau is still a closed island managed by the Correctional Services Department, and you can only go there to visit inmates at one of the institutions there (it’s where the main drug rehab places are) or for other CSD-organised events. If you know that’s changed and Hei Ling Chau is now open for freely wandering around then please do let us know.

  • smog

    Good stuff – Peng Chau also has a significant Thai community, which brings with it a couple of simple but excellent local restaurants.

    By the way, as far as I am aware, Hei Ling Chau is still a closed island managed by the Correctional Services Department, and you can only go there to visit inmates at one of the institutions there (it’s where the main drug rehab places are) or for other CSD-organised events. If you know that’s changed and Hei Ling Chau is now open for freely wandering around then please do let us know.

  • Tom

    I couldn’t find out if it had changed – it’s odd, as now one of the main ferry companies is now offering a pretty regular service… I’ll try and find out today. 🙂

  • Tom

    I couldn’t find out if it had changed – it’s odd, as now one of the main ferry companies is now offering a pretty regular service… I’ll try and find out today. 🙂

Comments are closed.