Cheung Chau

What if I told you there’s an island just a ferry ride away from the Hong Kong hustle, where cars are a myth and bicycles rule the roads? This, my friends, is Cheung Chau. Cheung Chau isn’t just any island. It’s shaped like a dumbbell, two hilly ends connected by a narrow strip of land. Cheung Chau translates to “Long Island”, a fitting name given its unique geography. Its other name, Dumbbell Island, is equally descriptive, reflecting its distinctive shape. Historically, Cheung Chau was a humble fishing village. Its harbor bustled with fishing fleets, and more residents lived on junks than on land itself. Now, Cheung Chau embraces a new identity as a tourist hotspot. The island’s central area is a vibrant hub, filled with shops, houses, and narrow lane-ways. These pathways are too small for cars, contributing to the island’s tranquil atmosphere. Instead, you’ll find charming “village vehicles”, miniature versions of trucks, fire engines, ambulances, and even police cars. Cheung Chau’s past is as intriguing as its present. Leased to the United Kingdom in 1898 as part of British Hong Kong, the island was already a melting pot of cultures. Hoklo fishermen, Hakka people, Chiu Chau, and Yue Ca all called Cheung Chau home. It evolved into a crucial commercial center, serving the needs of the fishing community and nearby islands like Lantau Island. A darker chapter in Cheung Chau’s history unfolded in the late 1990s and early 2000s with a series of suicides at the Bela Vista Villa. This led to the unfortunate nickname “Death Island” and tales of ghostly apparitions. Today, Cheung Chau thrives as a tourist destination, its population practically doubling every Sunday. But beneath the vibrant tourism, the island retains its historical charm. Take the Pak Tai Temple, for example. Built in 1783, this temple is one of Hong Kong’s oldest, dedicated to the Taoist God of the Sea. Or explore the 3000-year-old rock carvings near Tung Wan Beach, a testament to the island’s ancient history. Cheung Chau offers a unique blend of old and new, past and present. It’s a place where ancient traditions meet modern tourism, and where the simple pleasures of island life prevail. So, step off the ferry, rent a bicycle, and lose yourself in the magic of Cheung Chau.