Imagine stepping onto a ferry bound for a place where time seems to slow. That place is Lamma Island. It is also known as Y Island and Pok Liu Chau.
Lamma Island is the third-largest island in Hong Kong. It offers a serene escape from the city’s hustle. It is a rural area southwest of Hong Kong Island. The island covers 13.55 square kilometers. It stretches 7 kilometers in length.
The name Lamma Island came from a charting error. In the 1760s, Alexander Dalrymple misinterpreted a Portuguese note. The note described the seabed as “Lama” meaning mud. This stuck as the island’s name. In ancient times, Lamma was known as Pok Liu or Pok Liu Chau.
Villages dot the landscape. Yung Shue Wan sits in the north. Sok Kwu Wan is in the east. Few people reside in Lamma’s southern reaches. Access here is mainly by hiking or private boat.
Mount Stenhouse stands tall. It is Lamma’s highest point at 353 meters. You can find unique rock formations here. However, it requires a challenging hike to reach them.
Human settlement dates back a long time. Archaeological finds suggest activity around 4000 to 3000 BC. Yung Shue Ha was one of the earliest villages. It was settled in the early 19th century by a clan from Bao’an County.
Today, Lamma Island has a diverse population. It is estimated about 7,000 people live on the island. The island has a mixed community. Actor Chow Yun-fat grew up here.
Lamma Island has a unique charm. Buildings cannot exceed three stories. Cars are not allowed. Instead, residents use diminutive fire trucks, ambulances, and village vehicles. These open-back vehicles transport construction materials. The primary modes of transport are walking or cycling.
Yung Shue Wan is the most populated area. It once thrived as a plastics industry hub. Today, it features seafood restaurants, pubs, and craft shops.
Sok Kwu Wan is known for its seafood restaurants. It also hosts Hong Kong’s largest fish farming site. The trail connecting Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan is picturesque.
Walkers might spot caves near Sok Kwu Wan. These are marked as “kamikaze grottos.” The Japanese dug them during the war. They planned to store munitions there. Tunnels are also found on Ling Kok Shan and Mount Stenhouse.
Sham Wan holds archaeological significance. It is one of Hong Kong’s five most important sites. The bay was a Bronze Age settlement. Sham Wan is also a nesting site for green sea turtles. Access is restricted from June 1 to October 31 to protect them.
Tin Hau temples are important on Lamma. They honor the goddess of the sea. You can find them in Yung Shue Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, and Luk Chau Village. The Tin Hau Festival is celebrated by the fishermen’s communities. Lamma Island is one of the few places with traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.
Ferries are the main transportation to Lamma Island. They run regularly from Central and Aberdeen.
Lamma Island offers a peaceful alternative to city life.