Tai O fishing village is the perfect retreat for tourists and locals alikeS
wap the towering skyscrapers
of Hong Kong for a slice of
serenity on Lantau Island. Set on
a coastal inlet with a backdrop
of verdant mountains, Tai O is one of
the oldest fishing villages in Hong Kong
dating back to the Ming Dynasty. The
iconic stilt houses provide a picturesque
glimpse into the traditions and customs of
the ethnictankapeople (boat people) who
first settled here.
Hop in a boat for a guided tour of the
fascinating stilt architecture lining the
riverbank, or simply walk across the
pedestrian bridge to explore the charming
back alleys and heritage buildings dotted
throughout the village. If you’re lucky, you
might even spot one of the rare Chinese
Pink dolphins that inhabit the surrounding
bay area.
Traditional industries in Tai O range
from fishing to salt and shrimp paste
making, and these practices are still alive
today – as you will see from the markets
teeming with fresh and dried seafood. If
you prefer your food ready prepared, there
are a number of seafood restaurants and
stalls where you can try delicacies such as
salted egg yolks, deep-fried squid cakes
and “husband rolls”.
From Tai O, visitors are also ideally
positioned to explore some of Lantau’snearby attractions, including the giant
Tian Tan Buddha and Ngong Ping 360
cable car ride over the mountains.
To truly take in the atmosphere of this
remote outpost, enjoy a weekend break
at the Tai O Heritage Hotel. The heritage-
listed building occupies the Old Tai O
Police Station (built in 1902) and boasts a
charming colonial façade. It is nestled on
a secluded headland to the west of thevillage with spectacular views over the
South China Sea and Tai O.
The boutique property has received
awards from both UNESCO and the
International Hotel Awards for its
outstanding quality and respect for its
cultural heritage. Each of the nine suites has
been sensitively refurbished to offer modern
luxuries, while characteristic photos and art
pieces echo the hotel’s interesting history.
A gourmet menu of classic Western and
Asian fare, including modern twists on
traditional Tai O favourites, can be found
in the hotel’s beautiful glass-roofed Tai O
Lookout restaurant.
As a non-profit social enterprise, Tai O
Heritage Hotel is committed to bolstering
Tai O’s local economy, achieving synergy
with local communities, and promoting
heritage conservation, ecotourism and
green living.
The hotel offers a number of tours and
packages, including an exploration of the
heritage buildings and temples of Tai O,
star-gazing, and a special soon-to-launch
Glamping Package where guests can
enjoy the peace and quiet of the natural
surroundings in a luxury tent.
Tai O Heritage Hotel, Shek Tsai Po
Street, Tai O, Lantau Island, Hong Kong;
tel: +852 2985 8383;
http://www.taioheritagehotel.comDiscover a new side of Hong Kong
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