A prehistoric carving. That’s what initially drew me to Tung Lung Chau. This isn’t just any carving. It’s Hong Kong’s largest. Measuring a whopping 180 cm by 240 cm. It’s ancient. Mentioned in the 1819 Gazetteer of Xin’an County. This island holds secrets.
Tung Lung Chau. Or as some call it Eastern Dragon Island. It sits off the Clear Water Bay Peninsula. A largely uninhabited gem. Administratively part of Sai Kung District. The island itself is small. Just 2.42 square kilometers. But its history is vast.
Emperor Duanzong of the Southern Song Dynasty. He once sought refuge here. At a place called Kwu Tap. Imagine the emperor. On this very island. Centuries ago. Tung Lung Chau’s strategic location has always been important. Protecting the entrance to Victoria Harbour. It guarded Tathong Channel.
Three hundred years ago. Tung Lung Fort was built. Recently refurbished. It once housed eight cannons. To fight off pirates. The island has seen conflict. A Japanese gun emplacement stood near Tathong Point. Possibly why the Allies bombed it during World War II. The island even held a Hung Shing Temple. Built before 1931. With a ‘Holy Rock’ inside. A sacred site.
Today Tung Lung Chau is a haven for climbers. The Technical Wall and Sea Gully Wall. They attract rock climbing enthusiasts. From around the world. The island has a campsite too. Part of a Special Area designated in 1979. This protects the fort. This protects history.
You can reach Tung Lung Chau by ferry. From Sam Ka Tsuen or Sai Wan Ho. The journey is short. But the experience is unforgettable. You will witness its beauty. Its history. And the mystery of its prehistoric carvings. Tung Lung Chau is more than an island. It’s a journey through time. A testament to the past. And a sanctuary for the present.