Tung Chung to Tai O

On Lantau Island, the Tung O Ancient Trail was once an important passage for villagers to commute between Tung Chung and Tai O. The coastal trail starts at busy Tung Chung in the east with planes taking off above, passes mangroves and bays and ends in a centuries-old fishing village.

Starting Point — Tung Chung Town Centre

This is your gateway to Lantau Island and an important opportunity to stock up on food and water before starting off!

San Tau

From Tung Chung Town Centre, head through the San Tau area in the direction of San Shek Wan.

San Shek Wan

San Shek means ‘scattered boulders’ in Chinese and the shore is carpeted with colourful pebbles. A variety of shore species live here, including snails and rock oysters. There is also a culturally diverse community here with San Shek Wan Village being home to local and foreign residents.

Sham Wat Wan

A variety of coastal habitats such as rocky shores, boulder shores, sand flats, mudflats and mangrove forests of Sham Wat Wan attract a great variety of wildlife, from the shells and crustaceans scattered below to the great egrets and jungle crows circling above. If time permits, turn right at Sai Cho Wan to the shore for a nice view of the renowned rosy rocks (Hung Fan Shek).

Po Chue Tam

Yeung Hau Temple, the biggest and most significant temple in Tai O, was built in Po Chue Tam in 1699, when Kangxi reigned in the Qing dynasty. Surrounded by ‘Lion Hill’, ‘Elephant Hill’, ‘Tiger Hill’ and ‘Phoenix Hill’, it was designed to keep these creatures peaceful.

Tai O Heritage Hotel

Formerly Tai O Police Station, it was built in 1902 and recently revitalised into a boutique hotel. It’s easy to appreciate its original form as many features, such as the colonial-style architecture, cannons, corner turrets and cells, are well preserved.

End Point — Tai O

Tai O is a unique reminder of life in the old fishing villages of Hong Kong. Stilt houses along the waterways are home to fisherfolk and boats are the main form of transport. Salted fish and shrimp paste are among the renowned local specialties. The village offers a picturesque conclusion to a long hike.

Info

Area:: Lantau Island
Starting point:: Tung Chung Town Centre
End point:: Tai O
Average hiking time:: Approx. 6 hours
Distance:: Approx. 16 km
Replenishing stations:: Simple replenishments can be purchased at a small store at Sham Wat Wan
Difficulty:: Fairly Easy

How to get there

To the starting point:
From MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B, walk three minutes to Tung Chung Fire Station. Walk down Yu Tung Road passing by Yat Tung Estate, and at near the end turn right into a seaside path and start the journey via Hau Wong Temple.

From the end point:

Take New Lantao bus 11 to MTR Tung Chung Station; or,
a ferry is available from Tai O to Tung Chung and Tuen Mun. From these points, public transport is available to other destinations.

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