Tung Lung Chau -the wild column

IN THE FEBRUARY ARTICLE OF OUR MONTHLY COLUMN IN SAI KUNG/SOUTHSIDE/EXPAT PARENTS MAGAZINES; WE VENTURE OUT TO THE RUGGED ISLE OF TUNG LUNG CHAU FOR A MEMORABLE ADVENTURE

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​Rugged, windswept and diverse, Tung Lung Chau possesses a little bit of something for everyone. From family friendly outings and historical rekeys, to rock climbing and zip lining sessions, this craggy outcrop has all the tricks to keep you more than entertained for the day! Easily reached, it makes for a convenient full or half day trip away from the city.

To reach the island, take a ride on the ferry from Sam Ka Tsuen Public Pier in Yau Tong (5 mins walking distance from Yau Tong MTR Station). Several sailings make their way to Tung Lung Chau each day until 4:30pm; visit bit.ly/TungLungChauFerry for the complete ferry schedule. Make sure to check out climatic conditions on the day before venturing onto the water. If the weather is wild, it may not make for the most pleasurable of experiences, but on a fair day the island and its surrounds are simply stunning. Departing adjacent to the picturesque Lei Yue Mun Village, the ferry then embarks across the open waters of eastern Victoria Harbour. There are brilliant views across the Clear Water Bay Peninsula to the north and to Shek O Peninsula to the south.

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Half an hour on board the ferry flies by and Nam Tong ferry pier soon comes into view. Once ashore, you’re greeted by an enticing selection of route options. For those who fancy either a relaxing day out or desire to cut out the fuss and be thrust straight into the action, hang a left at Nam Tong following signs for Tung Lung Fort. A twenty minute stroll from this juncture takes one directly to the eastern side of the island. For the more intrepid traveler, a longer walk around the island may suit. There is an 8.5km route circumnavigating Tung Lung Chau that takes around 4 hours to complete and is best experienced in an anticlockwise direction. This trail is a great way to pack in all the sights of the island, including a climb to its 232m pinnacle.

No matter which of the two routes is taken, one will arrive at Tung Lung Chau’s northeastern promontory where Tung Lung Fort is located. From here folk can get hands on with the main attractions on offer. Close to the campsite lie the remains of Tung Lung Chau Fort, built between 1662 and 1722 by order of Yang Lin, Viceroy of Guangdong and Guangxi. It used to defend the island from pirates attempting to enter Victoria Harbour from the South China Sea.
 
Climbers don’t forget your chalk bag! Regarded as one of the best places in Hong Kong for rock climbing, the eastern escarpments of Lung Tung Chau offer bountiful climbing lines in a scintillating setting. There are several operators that provide climbing and zip lining sessions here, visit bit.ly/TungLungChauGuide for more information.

Be sure to catch the final boat leaving the island for return to the mainland at 5pm, unless an overnight stay is more your cup of tea. Camping in HK can be an awesome experience and Tung Lung Chau is a superb illustration of this. The campsite beside Tung Lung Fort has adequate facilities and a rugged waterfront setting to die for. Weekends and public holidays can be busy here so be wise with your timing, try not to visit on a public holiday. If you have a bit of time to kill before the next ferry departure, perhaps make a detour to see Hong Kong’s oldest and largest rock carvings, dating back over 5000 years the dragon depiction is a relic worth seeing. Alternatively, relax at one of the islands several dai pai dongs (local cafes).
 
All in all, this is a cracking little spot that all can to enjoy in different ways. Among the list of Hong Kong’s many islands, Tung Lung Chau flies under the radar and punches well above it’s weight.