Hong Kong : Lamma Island
Lamma Island
Lantau Island, Of the 235 islands that comprise Hong Kong, Lantau Island is the largest. It has a unique fishing village, very attractive mountain scenery (the highest mountain is Lantau Peak at 3,000 feet), and an impressive rocky coastline. There are also pretty white beaches. Surprisingly, not incongruously, some modern developments are nestled in the foothills. The island offers a pleasant respite from the sometimes cacophonic noises of a big city.
The ferries from Central District arrive at the town of Mui Wo on Silvermine Bay. The trip takes about an hour, and the ferry passes lots of tiny islands on its way to Lantau. The area of Silvermine Bay has a beach and lots of little restaurants. (Most of the restaurants specialize in seafood.)
Monastery is located on the Ngong Ping Plateau at an altitude of 1,700 feet. This is not an ancient site; the monastery was opened in 1970. The main attraction of Po Lin is its 250-ton, 102-foot-high Great Bronze Buddha statue. It is the largest Buddha statue in Asia. At Po Lin, there is also an excellent vegetarian restaurant operated by the monks and open to the general public.
Lamma Island, Hong Kong Island’s major offshore island, Lamma is very peaceful and tranquil, with lovely hills and forests. It is separated only by the narrow East Lamma Channel from Aberdeen. Lamma Island is where people take time to experience the real beauty of nature. There is a regular ferry service several times a day to and from Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwo Wan, the two villages on Lamma, and Central District on Hong Kong Island; schedules are available at the Central District Outlying Islands pier.
The ferry trip to Sok Kwo Wan takes only about 45 minutes, navigating along the picturesque west coast of Hong Kong Island into the quiet waters of the bay. There are many rafts in the bay where the fish farmers of Lamma Island live with their families. (Fish farming is one of the major industries on the island). From the pier at Sok Kwo Wan, turn right and walk past several seafood restaurants to the little pink Tin Hau Temple. Walk just a bit more until you see a path that ascends into the hills. If you take this path, you will pass a Chinese graveyard and then reach the peak of a little mountain where you will enjoy a spectacular view of the rocks and cliffs of the coast of Lamma and the islands that surround it.
One of the island’s easiest and most popular walks connects Sok Kwo Wan and Yung Shue Wan villages. A 90-minute amble along a paved path leads up the hillside and parallels the coast. The panoramic cross-island pathway connects the two harbors and passes by small swimming coves and fertile vegetable farms. Other paths lead up and around Mount Stenhouse in the south of the island, providing superb sea views. There are also two good beaches, Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Lo So Shing Beach.
