Tucked away on the western edge of Hong Kong’s Lantau Island is Tai O fishing village. This charming water town of traditional stilt houses, sampan boats, waterfront cafés and community spirit invites travellers to slow down and discover peaceful moments in Hong Kong.
The best time to visit Tai O
Tai O village is especially vibrant during the Dragon Boat Festival, when the famous Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade roars through the village’s waterways.
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Another delightful time to visit is during Mid-Autumn Festival when stilt houses are illuminated by lanterns, making a boat ride along the glowing channels feel extra magical.
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How to get to Tai O
Take a blue taxi or the number 11 bus from Tung Chung to Tai O. If you’re travelling from Central, hop on a ferry to Mui Wo then take bus 1. The journey takes about an hour, winding through Lantau’s hillside roads and sprinkled with sweeping views of the sea and lush greenery.
Things to do in Tai O
Credit: Elvis Chung
Credit: Elvis Chung
Eat through Tai O’s food stalls
Tai O Wing On Street is the perfect place to begin your exploration. Stop at crowd favourite Tai O Jumbo Big Big Fish Ball (Fuk Hing Hong) for the outlet’s signature jumbo fish balls and marinated cuttle fish balls – fresh, springy and delicious – with a cup of homemade herbal tea.
Follow the smell of dried seafood and you’ll reach Yick Cheong Ho , a family-run shop with over 80 years of history. This long-standing business produces dried seafood delicacies like dried shrimp, shrimp paste and cured duck yolks.
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Take a boat ride
There’s no better way to admire Tai O than from the water. Head to Tai Chung Bridge, also known as Tai O Market Bridge, to buy tickets for a 20-minute boat tour. Glide past stilt homes, mangroves and if you’re lucky, catch a sight of Hong Kong’s rare pink dolphins leaping and diving in the distance.
Credit: Elvis Chung
Credit: Elvis Chung
Explore Tai O Market Street and Kat Hing Street
Immerse yourself in the old-fashioned charm of Tai O Market Street and Kat Hing Street, where vibrant murals give new life to old buildings and old-school snacks come wrapped in nostalgia. Connect with the village’s living traditions through a guided workshop with residents and learn about their heritage through the Tai O Cultural Association .
Load up on popular snacks like Hakka cha guo sticky rice cakes, sweet tofu pudding and the famous sa yong sugar egg puffs at Tai O Bakery – sweet and crunchy on the outside and perfectly soft and airy on the inside. Then, browse organic goods at The General Store and quirky souvenirs at Tai O Banyan Tree – featured in the Netflix show Restaurants on the Edge.
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Tai O restaurants for lunch
Still hungry? Dine at Solo, a waterside café on Kat Hing Street affording views of stilt houses and boats drifting by. Settle in and enjoy the scenery over a bowl of shrimp roe noodles and glass of hand-drip coffee for a relaxing midday meal.
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Discover Tai O’s history
Peel back Tai O’s many layers of history with a stroll along Shek Tsai Po Street, where century-old family businesses are keeping cherished traditions alive. Pass mangroves that sit on former salt pans and take in street-side stalls that sell charcoal-grilled egg waffles.
Of course, a trip to Tai O fishing village is incomplete without taking home a bottle of the town’s famous shrimp paste. Make a stop at Cheng Cheung Hing Shrimp Sauce Factory or Sing Lee Shrimp Sauce & Paste Manufacturer, two of the village’s oldest producers. Choose between shrimp paste (ideal for marinades and sauces) or shrimp blocks (perfect for stir-fries and a more intense umami flavour).
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Visit the Tai O Heritage Hotel
Step back in time at the Tai O Heritage Hotel, a Unesco award-winning property housed in the former Tai O Police Station. Built in 1902, this two-storey building once held detained pirates, but now offers more luxurious accommodation. The police station has been carefully renovated to retain its original design and character, complete with its original lookout towers. Stay overnight to catch a spectacular sunset view and join unique cultural experiences led by local residents.
Tai O Lookout , the hotel’s upper-floor restaurant, showcases both heritage and flavour. Vintage photographs, donated by members of the community, line the walls while the menu highlights local ingredients in dishes like deep-fried squid with egg yolk paste, pork chop bun with shrimp paste and mountain begonia cheesecake.
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See the fishing village from above
On your way back to town, take a detour up to Fu Shan Viewing Point; a brisk 20-minute hike brings you to the top of the hill where panoramic views of the South China Sea await. From here, you can loop back to Kat Hing Street or retrace your steps.
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Take in sunset views by the water
End your day at Tai O Market Bridge, where you’ll be able to see the sun set over the village, painting the sky in vivid shades of orange and blue. For the very best vantage point, grab a seat at Nak Kafe on Wing On Street and enjoy refreshing mocktails or homemade ice cream as dusk slowly falls.