Time seems to have stood still in Sai Lau Bay. This is near Lau Fau Shan. For 700 years oysters have been farmed in Deep Bay. It is also known as Shenzhen Bay. The bay sits between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
Sai Lau Bay is part of this area steeped in history. It is a place where the tradition of oyster farming lives on. The oyster species cultivated here is Crassostrea hongkongensis. It is named after the city itself.
Oyster farming has declined since the 1980s. Climate change plays a role. Ocean acidification is also a factor. Deteriorating water quality hurts. Stronger competition from foreign oysters adds to the problem.
Yet, Sai Lau Bay remains special. It is known for its seafood restaurants. Many come here to enjoy the romantic sunset. The sunset is over the tidal flats.
Standing by the waterfront you can see the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor. It is also known as Shenzhen Bay Bridge. High-rise buildings stretch along the horizon on the Shenzhen side.
Lau Fau Shan is the last remaining site in Hong Kong where oyster cultivation still exists. Generations of villagers consumed oysters and oyster sauce. This has made these mollusks an important part of cultural heritage. It is important for Lau Fau Shan villagers. It is also important for Hong Kong citizens.
If you visit Sai Lau Bay stop by a small eatery. Try the fried or grilled oysters. It is a pleasant alternative to the upscale seafood restaurants along Lau Fau Shan Main Street.
Lau Fau Shan is well known for its seafood restaurants. Like Sai Kung and Lei Yue Mun. Some seafood restaurants look quite traditional and casual. There are a few shops in Lau Fau Shan. They specialize in making oyster sauce. Inevitably, oyster sauce has become a popular souvenir.
Along the main street workers open harvested oysters for sale. Different types of dried seafood are sold. Near the waterfront you can see containers and air tubes for live seafood. They lie all over a temporary covered area. The waterfront is often covered with oyster shells. Many boats lay on mud flats during low tide.
The shallow water over the mud flats looks like a peaceful mirror. Beyond Deep Bay stands Shenzhen. It is a metropolis of Southern China. Shenzhen has transformed. It went from a fishing village before 1980. Now it has over 10 million inhabitants.
While taking pictures you might see a cyclist. They may stop for a moment at the waterfront. Beyond lies the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor. It links the two cities at Deep Bay since 2007.
In late afternoon more boats return from Deep Bay. Some boats arrive at the pier. They offload passengers. These passengers may have spent the entire day fishing in the bay.
The silhouette of the Hong Kong Shenzhen Western Corridor stands out along the western horizon. It is beautiful under the late afternoon sun. The sun makes its daily descent. It goes down to the horizon beyond the bridge.
As the sun lowers the tide returns to the waterfront of Lau Fau Shan. The moon rises above. Most tourists leave. Only a few passionate photographers stay. They refuse to leave the waterfront. They stay despite the fading sun. As you leave the waterfront the lights from Shenzhen begin to light up. Sai Lau Bay offers a unique glimpse into Hong Kong’s past.