Shrouded in mist, Siu A Chau whispers tales of a time long past. This uninhabited island, part of the Soko Islands south of Lantau, isn’t just a scenic speck in the vast ocean. Siu A Chau holds secrets, buried beneath the rugged terrain and whispered by the wind. Siu A Chau, a name as intriguing as the island itself, translates to “Small Archipelago Island”. Its dumbbell shape and steep slopes, rising to a peak of 74 meters, paint a dramatic silhouette against the sky. Beaches grace both the north and south sides of Siu A Chau, silent witnesses to the island’s history. Long before the modern era, Siu A Chau was a haven for early settlers. In 1937, Walter Schofield described a unique fishing village on Siu A Chau, with huts unlike traditional Chinese dwellings. He identified the island as a settlement of early man, a testament to its long history of human habitation. A lonely tomb, etched with the surname Chow and the date 1803, hints at lives lived and lost on this isolated isle. A Tin Hau temple, nestled on the south side, stands as a silent sentinel, a remnant of a community that once thrived here. Siu A Chau also carries a more modern, somewhat unexpected burden. Beneath its surface lies a low-level radioactive waste facility, opened in 2005. This facility serves all of Hong Kong, storing waste that was once scattered across hospitals and disused tunnels, even a former air-raid shelter under Queen’s Road East in Wan Chai. This stark contrast between the island’s ancient past and its modern role adds another layer to Siu A Chau’s enigmatic charm. As you gaze at Siu A Chau, remember the layers of stories it holds. From early settlers to fishermen, from abandoned villages to a radioactive waste facility, this small island reflects the complexities of human history and our impact on the environment. Siu A Chau stands as a reminder that even in the most remote corners of the world, the past and present are intertwined, whispering their stories to those who listen closely.
Sai Wan Shan
Considering a hike today? Sai Wan Shan is calling us. Sai Wan Shan is a hill within Sai Kung East