Tai O Village Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Tai O Fishing Village featuring markets
Tai O Fishing Village which includes a bay or harbour, boating and mountains
Tai O Fishing Village
Photo provided by Hong Kong Tourism Board
Photo provided by Hong Kong Tourism Board

Not far from Hong Kong’s very modern airport is an old fishing village with houses built on stilts. Visit this town for a glimpse of traditional life in China.

Although Tai O is less than 9 miles (15 kilometres) southwest from Tung Chung, the one-way trip to the village will take one hour by car, two by bus, or three on the more direct hiking route. You’ll feel as if you’ve traveled centuries into the past.

Over 300 years ago, fishing families lived on houseboats or on homes built on stilts above the tidal flats on the western side of Lantau Island. They fished in the rich waters of the South China Sea, in virtual isolation from the traders and sailors using the rapidly developing harbors of Hong Kong Island. Tai O is itself an island separated from the mainland of Lantau by two narrow rivers.

Visit Tai O to see and photograph the peaceful local culture. Walk across the manually operated pedestrian drawbridge to tour the small town of homes clustered along the rivers’ shores. Observe how the unusual houses seem to be floating on water at high tide, while at low tide they rise precariously from thin stilts stuck into thick mud.

Historically the town has been a centre for salt production, illegal immigration and smuggling, but fishing has been a mainstay for the villagers over the centuries. Visit Tai O to see descendants of these families at work mending nets, sorting their catch and creating a specialty shrimp paste. As their children grow up, however, they often look for greater opportunity in larger cities, and the town’s population dwindles.

Tourism is important to the town. One landmark building, the Tai O Police Station, has been converted to a hotel and restaurant. Visit the Yeung Hau Temple, constructed in 1699, and a historically preserved building. Take a trip with a local boatman to see Chinese dolphins. Buy some shrimp paste and watch the sunset.

If you are in Central, the easiest and most scenic way to get to Tai O is by ferry to Mui Wo and then the Number 1 bus to Tai O. Alternatively, take the train to Tung Chung and then the Number 11 bus or hiking trails through Lantau North Country Park.

The Langham, Hong Kong

The Langham, Hong Kong

5 out of 5
8 Peking Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon
The price is ₹18,669 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
₹18,669
₹21,096 total
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kowloon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,016 reviews)
We loved our room and stay!! Would definitely recommend getting access to executive club, second to none and food suburb!! Probably the only negative and a small one was no turn down service which you would expect of a hotel of this calibre.

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

The Langham, Hong Kong
B P International

B P International

4 out of 5
No. 8 Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
The price is ₹9,576 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
₹9,576
₹10,629 total
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kowloon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,739 reviews)
This was my 5th stay in the last 12 months. The property itself is ok (a little old and tired) but the staff is wonderful. This is especially true of the housekeeping and the concierge/porter. My man, Alex, at the concierge deserves a special mention. He is always cheerful, friendly and helpful. ...

Reviewed on 22 Oct 2025

B P International
Hopewell Hotel

Hopewell Hotel

4.5 out of 5
15 Kennedy Road, Hong Kong
The price is ₹11,880 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
₹11,880
₹13,425 total
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Hong Kong Island. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Ocean Park and Times Square ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (373 reviews)
Spacious , clean & new condition ! Centrally located .

Reviewed on 16 Oct 2025

Hopewell Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Jervois

The Jervois

3.5 out of 5
89 Jervois Street, Hong Kong
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Hong Kong Island. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (398 reviews)
P
This is the third stay at the Jervois and each time it has been excellent. Very comfortable room with everything needed for your time in HK. Comfortable, clean, quiet rooms with friendly & helpful staff. Location is also great for everything you want to get from your trip

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2025

The Jervois
Two MacDonnell Road

Two MacDonnell Road

4 out of 5
Two MacDonnell Road, Mid-Level, Hong Kong
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Hong Kong Island. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (691 reviews)
Kitchen abd laundry are useful

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

Two MacDonnell Road
Ying’nFlo, Hong Kong, Wan Chai by Langham Hospitality Group

Ying’nFlo, Hong Kong, Wan Chai by Langham Hospitality Group

4 out of 5
3-5 Wan Chai Gap Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Hong Kong Island. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (399 reviews)
Liked all of it

Reviewed on 16 Sept 2025

Ying’nFlo, Hong Kong, Wan Chai by Langham Hospitality Group
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Tai O Village