“Sand Island” is what Sha Chau means in Chinese. It is a fitting name considering its history. Sha Chau is more than just a landmass. It holds secrets of trade, sanctuary, and marine life.
Sha Chau sits off Lung Kwu Tan near Tuen Mun. It is separated by the Urmston Road waterway. It comprises four smaller islets. These include Sheung Sha Chau, Tai Sha Chau, Ha Sha Chau, and Siu Sha Chau.
Once, Sha Chau offered refuge to British merchant ships. They carried opium during the Qing era. Imagine those days. The island was a haven in a time of illicit trade.
Today, a Tin Hau Temple stands on Siu Sha Chau. Fishermen from Castle Peak Bay built it in 1846. They sought blessings from Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea. The temple burned down in the 1970s. It was rebuilt in 1998. The temple’s history reflects the island’s connection to the sea. It was once listed as a Grade II Historic Building.
Sheung Sha Chau houses the Receipt Jetty. Here, aviation fuel arrives for Hong Kong airport. Twin submarine pipelines carry the fuel to Chek Lap Kok. Sha Chau was meant to be a temporary site.
Tai Sha Chau hosts vital air traffic control equipment. It has an approach surveillance radar. Also, it has a Secondary Surveillance Radar. These tools ensure safe skies above Hong Kong.
Since 1996, Sha Chau is part of a marine park. It shares this protected status with Lung Kwu Chau and Pak Chau. Since 1979, these islands are a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Sha Chau is a dolphin sanctuary. The Chinese white dolphin calls these waters home. This area’s rich fisheries feed these amazing creatures. The Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park has a variety of sea life. The water is rich with nutrients.
Pak Chau, or Tree Island, lies near Sha Chau. It is a roosting site for wintering cormorants. This adds to the area’s ecological importance.
So, Sha Chau is an island of contrasts. It blends history, industry, and nature. It is a place where dolphins swim. Also, planes fly overhead. It is a testament to Hong Kong’s diverse character.