“A flat island?” you might wonder, looking out at Ping Min Chau. The name, indeed, means “flat island” in Chinese. But don’t let that fool you. Ping Min Chau, nestled in Mirs Bay, offers more than meets the eye. This island, part of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, boasts a rich and layered past. Ping Min Chau, also sometimes called Tung Ping Chau to distinguish it from another island, Peng Chau, has a history as intriguing as its geology.
Ping Min Chau isn’t large, covering just 1.16 square kilometers. It’s actually closer to mainland China, a mere 4 kilometers, than to the main part of Hong Kong. Imagine, during the Cultural Revolution, people risking their lives, swimming from the mainland, hoping to reach the shores of Ping Min Chau and the promise of freedom in Hong Kong. This island, once a bustling hub of fishing and farming, supported a community of 3,000 people. Over 100 fishing junks plied the waters around Ping Min Chau.
The island’s villages, like Sha Tau, now stand as ghostly reminders of this vibrant past. Many cottages are boarded up, whispering tales of a bygone era. Think of the children attending the two primary schools, Kwan Ying School and Wai Sun School, their laughter echoing through the now quiet streets. The Korean War, the depletion of fishery resources, and the political upheaval of the Cultural Revolution led to a mass exodus. By the 1970s, Ping Min Chau was home to only a handful of elderly residents.
But Ping Min Chau isn’t just a relic of the past. It’s a geological wonder, the only sizeable island in Hong Kong formed from sedimentary rock. Dramatic cliffs, wave-cut platforms, and unique rock formations like Cham Keng Chau, or “Chop Neck Islet,” tell a story millions of years in the making. The island also boasts a vibrant marine ecosystem. Over sixty coral species and thirty-five algae species thrive in the waters off its coast.
Today, Ping Min Chau attracts weekend visitors drawn to its natural beauty, its hiking trails, and the tranquility of its deserted villages. Perhaps you’ll explore the Tin Hau Temple, built in 1765, or the Tam Tai Sin Temple, dedicated to Tam Kung. As you wander through the overgrown paths, imagine the smugglers who once used this island as a base for guns and opium. Remember the families who fished and farmed here, their lives intertwined with the rhythms of the sea. Ping Min Chau offers a glimpse into a vanished world, a place where history and nature intertwine, creating a unique and unforgettable experience.