Tai O (大澳) is a a fishing village partly located on an island of the same name and on the west side of Lantau Island, in Hong Kong.
Geography
On the main part of Lantau a river splits to the north and west and at this fork is the island referred to as Tai O. Two pedestrian bridges cross the river on the north fork and the west fork. The village is mostly on the banks of the river with most residents on the island. The west and north parts of the island directly face into the South China Sea and are uninhabited.
History
Nearby archaeological sites date back to the Stone Age, but permanent, and verifiable, human settlement here is only three centuries old. Stories that would be impossible to substantiate have Tai O as the base of many smuggling and piracy operations, the inlets of the river providing excellent protection from the weather and a hiding place. At nearby Fan Lau , a fort was built in 1729 to protect shipping on the Pearl River. Smuggling of guns, tobacco, drugs and people remains a documented illegal activity both into and out of mainland China.
When the British came to Hong Kong, Tai O was known as a Tanka village. During and after the Chinese Civil War, Tai O became a primary entrypoint for illegal immigration for those escaping from the People's Republic of China. Some of these immigrants, mostly Han Chinese, stayed in Tai O, and Tai O attracted people from other Hong Kong ethnic groups, including Hoklo and Hakka.
Currently the fishing lifestyle is dying out. While many residents continue to fish, it barely provides a subsistence income. There is a public school on the island and most young people move away when they come of age. In 2000 a large fire broke out destroying many residences. The village is now mostly squatters huts and dilapitated stilt houses. The government of the HKSAR had proposed a new town on the site but it met with grassroots opposition. Plans for a container cargo terminal, a theme park, and residential towers have all been proposed. There is a large land reclamation project on the Lantau side.
Sights and cuisine
Also known as the "Venice of Hong Kong", Tai O is also a hot tourist spot for both foreigners and residents of other parts of Hong Kong, despite damage by a fire in July 2000. The pangwu, stilt houses , built right over the waterway are still quite scenic. A rope bridge tended by local women used to be quite popular with visitors, but it has been replaced with a steel pedestrian bridge.
Tai O is well known for traditional and unique salted fish . Handmade sauces and fish paste are sold from doorways and storefronts.
For a small fee, some residents will take tourists out on their boats along the river and for short jaunts into the sea. Many tourists come to Tai O specifically to take these trips in the hope to see a pink dolphin.
Transport
Tai O can be reached by bus (New Lantao Bus) from Mui Wo, Tung Chung or Ngong Ping .
There are ferry piers on Tai O, at Wing Hong Street and Shek Tsai Po. New World First Ferry operates the following routes connecting Tai O:
- Tuen Mun, Tung Chung, Sha Lo Wan , and Tai O
- Tuen Mun to Tai O (weekends only)
See also
External links
