Can you imagine a bustling village thriving on a small island? That was Fat Tau Chau. Once a vibrant community it now rests as a part of Tseung Kwan O. Fat Tau Chau was more than just an island. It was home to a close-knit community. The Ip family were its heart. They lived there since around 1885. Their lives revolved around farming sweet potatoes raising pigs ducks and chickens.
Life on Fat Tau Chau wasn’t easy. The villagers relied on sampans for transportation. They traveled to Shau Kei Wan to sell their produce. Children attended school in Pan Long Wan. They formed connections with the Lau clan through intermarriage. In 1911 only 12 people called Fat Tau Chau home. By 1955 that number rose to 23. Then to 34 in 1957-1958. Each generation contributed to Fat Tau Chau’s rich history.
Fat Tau Chau also played an unexpected role in Hong Kong’s history. It housed a Chinese Customs Station. Established in 1868 it was one of three to combat opium smuggling. Its purpose was to collect taxes on opium. This station operated until 1899. The station’s ruins stand as a testament to a bygone era. A stone slab remains. It bears the inscription: “By the Grace of the Emperor tributes are accepted from and customs exchange with Annam which is far away from China. Renovated by the Manager of the Customs Station.” These words speak of a time of trade and imperial authority.
This ancient stone is now at the Hong Kong Museum of History. It provides a glimpse into Fat Tau Chau’s crucial role in the opium trade. The island’s story however is far from over. The Fat Tau Chau we see today is a result of land reclamation. The old village was relocated in the early 1990s. The island is now connected to the Clear Water Bay Peninsula. The past may be gone but Fat Tau Chau’s legacy remains. It lives on in its history and its resilient people. The island’s quiet beauty still holds secrets for those who pause to listen. Fat Tau Chau’s story reminds us of Hong Kong’s dynamic past. It shows how development and history intertwine.