Peng Chau

Understand

Peng Chau has a reputation for being dull and lacking in tourist attractions. Yet, if you go there expecting to see very little, you may be pleasantly surprised. Restaurants here are cheaper than on the other islands and you get the feeling you are off the 'beaten-track' of mass tourism. Perhaps it is the place to go at the end of your holiday when you are weary of the fast-pace of the big city and just want to slow down, have a drink and chat with friends. From Peng Chau you can easily take the "kaito" ferry over to the Trappist monastery on Lantau island and hike for a couple of hours, along the hilly footpath to Mui Wo in one direction, or Discovery Bay in the other. From Mui Wo you can take another ferry back to Hong Kong island.

Getting there

Most people take the ferry service from Hong Kong Central Pier 6 - next to the Central Star Ferry.

Alternatively you can arrive by boat from Discovery Bay on Lantau island (which is very close). The Inter Islands ferry provides 10 sailings a day starting from Cheung Chau and stopping at Mui Wo on the way to Peng Chau.

Getting around

There are no cars, buses or taxis on the island - that is the attraction. This is not a major issue as the entire island is only approximately 1 km2. You may see village vehicles driving around, but there are only for transporting goods and are not permitted to take passengers. The only full-sized vehicles permitted on the island are the ambulances and fire service vehicles. Visitors can hire bicycles at reasonable prices.

1 Yin Hop Company, G/F, 16 Wing On Street, ☏ +852 2983 0186. A small bicycle rental shop and bicycle mechanic along the main market street. (updated May 2019) 2 宜佳公司, 15D Wing Hing Street, ☏ +852 9263 7861. Daily 10AM-6PM. A larger bike shop that is slightly further away from the ferry pier. This shop also has tricycles and quadracycles for rent. (updated May 2019)

See

1 Peng Chau Leather Factory (牛皮廠). 24 hours. An outdoor consisting of a garden and a painted underpass that hosts a constantly-changing art exhibition by local artists. The site is built around the remains of a ruined old leather factory (hence the name). (updated May 2019)

Temples The island has eight temples, including:

2 Tin Hau Temple (天后宮), 69B Peng Chau Wing On St, ☏ +852 2983 8747. The Tin Hau temple dates back to 1792 which houses a whale rib. Outside the Tin Hau Temple there is a stone monument warning about pirates. (updated Jan 2019)

3 Lung Mo Temple (龍母廟), 16 Wing Kwong St. One of the larger temples on the island that opens onto a beach. (updated Jan 2019) 4 Hung Shing Temple (洪聖古廟). (updated Jan 2019)

Do

Most tourists come to Peng Chau to walk around this car-free island. The island has many footpaths that you can safely explore.

1 Finger Hill (手指山). Head for Finger Hill which is popular for the panoramic views of the island, Disneyland and the Tsing Ma Bridge. (updated Jan 2019) 2 Ngan Chau Pavillion. A covered pavillion among an NGO-run ecological project. The area is very open and affords good photo opportunities of the islands to the East of the island, looking back towards Hong Kong Island. The area is easily reachable by walking down the other side of Finger Hill. (updated May 2019) 3 Tung Wan Beach (東灣). Don't miss the beach at Tung Wan, from there you can head north through the small farms until you reach the north shore of the island, that still retains 60% of its natural seashore. Around the coast there is a diversity of marine life, including Chinese white dolphins, and some of Hong Kong's few remaining coral reefs. (updated Jan 2019) The walk along Peng Hu Path which traverses the northern stretch of coastline is less well-known and takes you past a couple of small beaches that are popular with swimmers and sunbathers.

4 Old Fisherman's Rock (釣魚翁石). An interesting rock formation sitting atop a small sandy island slightly off the north-east coast of the island. It is reachable across a slightly submerged sandbar. (updated May 2019) 5 Tai Lei Island (大利島). A smaller island off the coast of Peng Chau which houses some support facilities such as a waste handling facility. The bridge to the island is a popular fishing spot for locals. (updated May 2019)

Buy

Peng Chau is a good place to buy souvenir Chinese ceramics. There is a workshop and studio that makes various items. Another shop (not far from HSBC) sells hand painted ceramics such as plates and Chinese teapots. You can also try your hand at painting your own.

3 Chiu Kee Porcelain Factory (超記瓷器), 7 Wing Hing Street, ☏ +852 9193 8044. Daily 9AM-6PM. (updated May 2019) 4 Sunroom Pottery Studio, 38A Wing Hing Street. (updated May 2019) Most of the shops on the island do not accept credit cards or octopus card, so bring enough cash with you. If you need to withdraw more, the only ATM on the island is operated by HSBC and can be found beside the police station basketball court.

Eat

The list below is not exhaustive of the options available on Peng Chau. The island is not large, and the built-up area is very small. It might be worthwhile taking a stroll around the main shopping streets and seeing what is on offer. The list below comprises the more visible eating establishments which have at least part of the menu available in English.

Chinese Choices of places to eat on the island are fairly limited if you don't speak Cantonese. Most eateries are small and sell traditional food aimed at local people.

1 Come Be Rich Restaurant (行來發餐廳), 56-58 Wing On Street, ☏ +852 9679 6102. Closes around 10PM. A popular local banquet restaurant close to the ferry pier. This establishment has outdoor seating and is popular with families and large groups. The conversations here can get quite loud towards closing time. (updated May 2019) 2 Fooderful (囍筷), G/F, 50 Wing On Street, ☏ +852 9079 9562. Daily 11AM-10PM. A larger restaurant with entrances at both ends and outdoor seating out the back facing towards the ferry pier. Most of the dishes are larger and intended to be shared, so this is more suitable for those coming in groups. (updated May 2019) 3 Hoi King Seafood Restaurant (海景海鮮酒家), 15 Wing On Side Street (Opposite the Peng Chau Police Station), ☏ +852 2983 9588. Daily 5:30AM - 2:30PM. A local seafood restaurant that also does traditional Hong Kong-style Yumcha dishes. (updated May 2019) 4 Kee Sum Cafe (祺森冰室), Shop B, G/F, 3 Peng Chau Wing On Street, ☏ +852 2983 0554. Tu-Su 8AM-4PM. A very popular restaurant at the end of Wing On Street which is a very popular breakfast spot with locals. (updated May 2019) 5 Peng Chau Si Do (坪州士多), Peng Chau Ferry Pier, ☏ +852 2661 6941. A shop selling cold drinks and local Hong Kong snacks situated within the main ferry pier. (updated May 2019) 6 Wah Kee Snacks (華記小食店), 2B Chi Yan Lane. A local-style snack shop up one of the smaller alleys off the main shopping street. (updated May 2019)

South-East Asian There are tw

Drink & nightlife

Alcohol Beer is sold in some of the larger restaurants and cafes, most that sell beer will have a sign outside with the brand of bee