Yim Tin Tsai

A short, 15-minute boat ride away from Sai Kung is Yim Tin Tsai. Originally the home of salt farmers, the island’s village was abandoned during the 1990s when the industry began to decline. Although Yim Tin Tsai’s residents have departed, they have left behind their fish ponds and village houses, most of them still filled with personal belongings. A path runs around the island, making exploring easy. Meanwhile, St Joseph’s Chapel — a beautiful, Romanesque building that is listed as a Grade III historic building — offers a picturesque photo opportunity. The conservation of St. Joseph’s Chapel and the revitalisation of the saltpans have won the Award of Merit and Award of Distinction presented by the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2005 and 2015 respectively, affirming Yim Tin Tsai’s cultural value and characteristics.