Average hiking time: 1.5 hours | Distance: About 5 km | Difficulty: Easy
While it doesn’t offer the big-ticket attractions of Lantau, or the hustle and bustle of Cheung Chau, Lamma Island has its own gentle charms that make it well worth a trip.
Lamma has long been known as a laid-back place with a hipsterish vibe, though it still clings on to the traditional way of life associated with fishing villages on the outlying islands. You can feel the air of relaxation as soon as you alight from the ferry in Yung Shue Wan and begin the stroll down the narrow main street, passing a clutch of seafood restaurants, craft shops, bookstores and cafes.
It’s worth taking a slight detour to the Tin Hau temple while you’re in the village. This particular temple has an interesting feature that makes it stand out from the rest — a pair of Western-style lions guarding the entrance. This interesting East-meets-West anomaly came about when the temple’s original lions were damaged in 1960 and the mason hired to replace them happened to specialise in Western-style sculptures.
Take the trail
Follow the path that takes you to the attractive Hung Shing Yeh Beach — only slightly marred by the huge power station to your right — before you begin the gentle ascent up the Lamma Island Family Trail that affords splendid views over the other outlying islands from the top.
The path takes you down to Sok Kwu Wan where you can see ample evidence of the village’s fishing traditions, including the fish farm rafts spread out across the bay. At the Lamma Fisherfolk’s Village you can explore the local fishing culture and find out more about the history of the fishing industry in Hong Kong.
There’s only one way to finish your day in Lamma and that’s to find an outdoor table at one of the many seafood restaurants and chow down on the freshest fish, prawns, squid and clams you will ever taste. It’s truly a treat for the senses.
Stop 1: Yung Shue Wan
Yung Shue Wan Main Street
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Stop 2: Hung Shing Yeh Beach
Around a 20-minute walk from Yung Shue Wan Pier, this white sandy beach
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See More…Lamma Winds
Stop 3: Tin Hau Temple
There are scores of Tin Hau temples scattered across Hong Kong, dedicated to the Chinese goddess of the sea who is regarded as a powerful and benevolent force by seafaring folk. Given that Lamma was founded on fishing, it is no surprise to find no fewer than three Tin Hau temples on the island. The one near Sok Kwu Wan was originally built in 1826, while the Tin Hau Temple at Yung Shue Wan was built around 1876.
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Stop 4: Sok Kwu Wan
This tiny village is still very much focused on fishing — and the produce that comes out of the nets. The string of seafood restaurants along the bay are revered by day-tripping locals for the freshness and taste of the food, served in classic Cantonese style.
Trail photos provided by HK Discovery.
Getting to Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island:
- Take a ferry from Central Pier No. 4 to Yung Shue Wan. It takes about 30 minutes.
Leaving from Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island:
- Take a ferry from Sok Kwu Wan to Central or Aberdeen.
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The Hong Kong Tourism Board disclaims any liability as to the quality or fitness for purpose of third party products and services; and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, adequacy or reliability of any information contained herein.
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