Everything about Tai O totally explained
Tai O is a fishing
town, partly located on an island of the same name, on the western 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 lies the island referred to as Tai O. Two pedestrian bridges cross the river on its northern and western forks. The village is located mostly on the banks of the river. The western and northern parts of the island facing the
South China Sea are uninhabited.
School
There are two Kindergartens, one Primary School and one Secondary School. They are CCC Tai O Primary School and Buddhist Fat Ho Memorial College.
History
Nearby archaeological sites date back to the
Stone Age, but permanent, and verifiable, human settlement here's 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. In early 16th century, Tai O was once occupied shortly by
Portuguese during
Battle of Tãmão. 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 (Hokkien) 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 dilapidated stilt houses.
Tourism
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
pang uk, a kind of
stilt house, 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.
The traditional
salted fish and
shrimp paste and storefronts at Tai O. 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 to see
Chinese white dolphins. It is also a good place to see the sunset.
Transport
Tai O can be reached by bus (
New Lantao Bus) from the following places:
There are ferry piers on Tai O, close to Tai O Bus Terminus. It operates daily as the following routes connecting Tai O:
Tuen Mun
Tung Chung
Sha Lo Wan
Tai OFurther Information
Get more info on 'Tai O'.
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