Tai O – the Hong Kong Village on Stilts

Stilt houses in the village of Tai O, Hong Kong

Impressions of Tai O fishing village

Tai O is a picturesque fishing village nestled on the western shores of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. It offers a captivating blend of traditional charm and natural beauty.

Known as the ‘Venice of Hong Kong,’ Tai O is renowned for its stilt houses that rise above the tidal flats, creating a unique architectural spectacle that reflects the village’s centuries-old maritime heritage.

How to get to Lantau Islands and Tai O

Getting the cable car to Lantau Island from Hong Kong

The journey to Lantau Island by cable car is an attraction in itself. The cable car from the mainland offers a really beautiful view over Hong Kong and the nature that surrounds the city. There are a few ways:

  • From MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B, then take the 360 Ngong Ping Cable Car, which takes around 25 minutes. After spending some time seeing the Big Buddha and Ngong Ping village, get bus 21 to Tai O which takes approximately 30 minutes. If you buy a return ticket on the cable car you need to be back in Ngong Ping ready for its last departure (it’s quite early, approximately 6pm). 
  • Alternatively, from MRT Tung Chung Station take bus 11 to Tai O station which takes approximately an hour.
  • Finally, what I recommend is buying a single ticket for the cable car to Ngong Ping village where you can also see the Big Buddha, take the bus 21 to Tai O, and in the evening take the bus back into mainland Hong Kong (to Tung Chung Station). This way you get to try various modes of public transport and will have longer in Tai O.
  • Visiting the Big Buddha on Lantau Island

    Lantau is famed for Tian Tan Buddha, known simply as Big Buddha. Almost every bit of information I read said it was a must-see attraction, so I put it high on my list of things to see and do in Hong Kong.

    However, once I arrived and glanced up at the Big Buddha, and the haul of crowds crawling up the steps to get a closer look, I knew I did not share the majority opinion.

    I wanted something more authentic. I needed a Plan B. 

    The Big Buddha aka Tian Tan Buddha in Hong Kong

    Don’t get me wrong, I can see why some people would be impressed by the sight of a giant Buddha perched at the top of a flight of stone steps. On a different day I might have been impressed too.But size isn’t everything, and it just wasn’t that day.

    Perhaps I was all Buddha-ed out from a few weeks earlier in Myanmar, a country filled with temples steeped in mysticism and incredible statues.

    Though I try my best not to compare places against each other, I guess it couldn’t be helped on this occasion. The main issue I had visiting the Big Buddha was it didn’t feel authentic. It felt like a tourist trap, and the only thing missing was a souvenir shop shoved up its nostril.

    Not wanting to waste anymore time, I logged onto wi-fi at a free access point and searched around for nearby things to do, and that’s when I read about Tai O. I read that it was a very beautiful part of the island that had retained much of its charm and authenticity, where people still lived in stilt houses jutting out from the water. I was sold.

    Getting the bus to Tai O

    The stilt houses in Tai O, Lantau Island, Hong Kong.

    I’d seen something similar in Sabah several years before, and found the whole experience and way of life really fascinating so I didn’t need much convincing to jump on a bus to go there.

    As I stepped off the bus it was immediately like travelling back in time. There wasn’t an echo of modern Hong Kong in sight. Seeing the ‘floating houses’ could not have been further away from the huge skyscrapers of the big city where I’d been several hours previously. I was hungry to explore.

    The interesting village of Tai O on Lantau Island in Hong Kong

    Immediately, I was charmed by the village life. The pace was much slower, yet there was still a buzz from the market which overflowed with all kinds of fish and seafood, particularly of a dried variety.  Tai O definitely has its own identity that is separate from the rest of Hong Kong.

    Tai O Fishing Village - Hong Kong

    There was a provinciality about the place that brought me back to the time when I lived in a rural province in China teaching English, where you could peep through windows and open doors and see the minutiae of daily life unfold.

    In a country that’s constantly moving and accelerating it was a pleasure to see these unique houses and quaint little streets and shops. Interestingly, there are also houses made from corrugated iron mainly located at the waterfront, I imagine these are usually occupied by those involved in the fishing industry but this is only a guess.

    Corrugated buildings on Tai O village in Hong Kong

    Making a new friend

    I thought about going on a boat ride, but as I’d arrived late I wouldn’t have much time to explore the region so I had to give it a miss. Instead I strolled around, crossing bridges and weaving through the back streets. The place felt empty aside from a few people getting on with their day, I walked around some more until I bumped into an old man who asked me if I wanted to walk up one of the mountains with him to get a panoramic view of the area. I didn’t have anywhere else to be so I chirpily accepted his offer.

    Visiting Tai O on Lantau Island, Hong Kong

    He was probably in his late 60s, and unlike most of the Hongkongers I spoke to, he could speak perfect English. It then made sense when I heard he was born here but now lived in California with his wife and two daughters. His elderly father was sick so he was looking after him.

    As I followed his nimble stride up the path, I tried to conceal my panting the best I could by pretending to stop and admire the view even though most of it was shrouded in mist. The fact that I couldn’t keep up with him was embarrassing enough, but at my age, I ought to be ashamed!

    Tai O on a foggy day - things to do in Hong Kong

    He told me that Tai O used to be a very important trading and fishing port. However, over the years the younger generations (like himself) moved away and there were few people to replace them so the industry floundered.

    Nowadays, most of the locals cater for tourists who buy souvenirs and food from the shops, usually consisting of the usual knick knacks and dried seafood. I imagine it gets busy during the summer months, but it felt like a ghost town at the beginning of February.

    market stall in Tai O selling dried fish.

    As it began to get dark, I bid my new friend farewell and jumped back on the bus. An hour later I was back into the centre of Hong Kong, and with that, bombarded with people and neon lights.

    Quite often, the best trips are those where you venture off the planned route and take a whim on something different.

    Should I stay overnight in Tai O?

    As I mentioned, I didn’t stay in Tai O, but knowing what I know now, I’d do so if I ever return to the island.

    I’d loved a night in Tai O to soak the unique seaside atmosphere. Hong Kong is busy and this place in contrast felt remote and completely different from the usual modern offerings of the city. It offers lovely walking and hiking opportunities too.

     

    Tai O fishing village on Lantau Islands in Hong Kong

    Have you visited Tai O or another village on stilts before?

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    Hi, I'm Shing

    Welcome to The Culture Map, a place where I share my travel guides, adventurous tales, and capture the inspiring diversity of our world.

    7 Responses

    1. I stopped in Tai O for the last night of my honeymoon before flying back from HK. It was so quiet (and dark) once the day trippers had gone home – lovely place. I could have spent a week on Lantau just hiking and spending time with nature.

    2. I visited Tai O Village about 3 years ago now, and I loved it! It’s so different from the rest of Hong Kong. It was so quiet though. It’s sad to think that one day it’s all just going to be empty as everyone leaves for big jobs in the city.

      1. It’s a massive contrast to the rest of Hong Kong, eh Lily?

        I really hope Tai O is able to attract more of its young generation to come back after they study…. though I don’t really see its economy growing from anything else besides tourism…

    3. Wonderful Post. Tai O is a small fishing village on Lantau Island in Hong Kong but very popular place to visit for both locals and tourists. I Will definitely visit to Tai-O fishing village when i’ll go Hong Kong.

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