Who would have thought a tiny island like Kat O could hold so much history? The Kat O Geoheritage Centre is our window into that past. It’s a portal to a time when this tranquil island was a bustling hub for fishermen and Hakka settlers. Kat O, also known as Crooked Island, earned its nickname from its winding coastline. This unique geography made it a safe harbor during typhoons, a crucial refuge for ships navigating Mirs Bay. The current village is roughly 300 years old. It dates back to the Early Qing Dynasty. Imagine Hakka families and boat people establishing their lives here, building a community that thrived for generations. The Kat O Geoheritage Centre tells their stories, preserving the memories of a bygone era. The island reached its peak population in the 1950s and 60s. Then urban migration and emigration led to a decline. However, Kat O’s story didn’t end there. In 2011, the island became part of the Hong Kong Global Geopark of China Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region. The Kat O Geoheritage Centre, the Kat O Story Room, and the Kat O Heritage Trail all opened around this time. These additions offer visitors a chance to explore the island’s unique geological formations. They also showcase the captivating history of the Hakka and boat people who once called Kat O home. The center is a testament to Kat O’s resilience, its transformation from a simple shelter to a place of historical and geological significance.
Sai Wan Shan
Considering a hike today? Sai Wan Shan is calling us. Sai Wan Shan is a hill within Sai Kung East