Hansen's Hikes - Hiking, Cycling & Photographing Hong Kong 香港

Tai O, Lantau Island 大澳, 大嶼山

Hansen's Events
38 D, Tower 2, Sham Wan Towers
3, Ap Lei Chau Drive
Ap Lei Chau
Hong Kong

Tel: (+852) 9552 0987 E-mail : info@hansens-hikes.com

Tai O is located at the western end of Hong Kong’s Lantau Island. Here Tanka people have been making a living from the sea for many
centuries. Indeed, the Tanka and the “Haklo” are some of the earliest immigrant groups in Hong Kong, who were migrated from
Mainland China a thousand years ago during the Han dynasty.

The older generation of Tankas never received any formal education and are usually illiterate. Most of them are fishermen, but salt
production was another major industry and source of income to the village. The abundant source of salt also gave rise to another
unique industry of Tai O; the production of salted marine products like salted fish, salted shrimps, salted squids, shrimp cakes and
shrimp paste. These are still popular souvenirs for tourists and are well known worldwide. Apart from marine products, other food
products like duck egg yolks and vegetables are also preserved with salt. Although the salt harvest in Tai O ended in the early 1970s,
the production of salted preserved food continues to this day and is usually carried out by the older residents of the village. You will
be amazed by the sheer number of stores selling both salted marine products and fresh seafood along Tai O’s crowded narrow lanes.

In addition to the many traditional houses and crafts, Tai O has also uncovered a “new” tourist attraction: For just a few dollars you
can join a 30-minute boat trip which takes you not only around Tai O but also out to sea in search of the endangered pink coloured
Chinese White Dolphin.