Zero inhabitants call Ap Lo Chun home today. Yet, this small island holds a special place within Hong Kong’s geography. Ap Lo Chun is a small island in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It sits in Ap Chau Bay. This bay is part of the larger Crooked Harbour. To the east lies Ap Chau. To the west sits Sai Ap Chau. Nearby, to the northeast, you will find the islet of Ap Tan Pai.
Ap Lo Chun falls under the administration of North District. Despite its size, Ap Lo Chun plays a role in local conservation efforts. It is part of the Double Haven Special Area. This area covers 0.8 hectares. It was designated in 2011. The Special Area includes several other islets. Pak Ka Chau and Yan Chau are two of them. Both are within Double Haven. A portion of Ap Chau is also included.
The geology here tells a long story. Sedimentary rocks define the area. These rocks date back to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Imagine the earth’s history etched into the very stones beneath your feet here on Ap Lo Chun.
While Ap Lo Chun itself may be uninhabited, its neighbours have their own stories. Ap Chau, also known as Robinson Island, once thrived. In its peak, it had over 700 residents. Fishermen settled there in the 1920s. They used the land for their nets and boats. A church was built. A school was opened. People even got fresh water via underground pipes. Most residents moved to cities in the United Kingdom in the 1960s and 1970s.
Today, Ap Chau has very few permanent residents. It features the Ap Chau Story Room. Here you can explore the island’s past. The Duck’s Eye Sea Arch draws visitors. This natural arch stands above sea level. It is safe to walk through.
Sai Ap Chau is another small island nearby. It also lies in Ap Chau Bay. Like Ap Lo Chun, it contributes to the area’s unique coastal environment. So, though Ap Lo Chun may seem small and quiet, it is part of a larger story. It connects to the history, geology, and ecology of this special corner of Hong Kong.