Tai O Fishing Village
How To Get To Tai O
Getting around Hong Kong is usually a breeze, with a short train ride and a 10 minute walk at most. Some places are a bit further away, like Tai O Fishing Village, which is the furthest west village in Hong Kong. The best way to get to Tai O is by taking the Tung Chung to Tung Chung Station, and catching the 11 bus to the end of the line at Tai O. This journey takes about 1 hour 50 minutes from Central, so plan accordingly. Tai O is also right next to Ngong Ping village, making it a great pairing.
The only other public transport option is to take the ferry from Central Ferry Pier to Mui Wo, and catch the 1 or 11 bus to Tai O, however this journey takes over 2 hours and 30 minutes. We’ve heard the ferry is a beautiful ride, so this is the scenic option. You could also arrive at Tun Chung and take a Lantau taxi directly to Tai O, but it only saves 30 minutes and costs a lot more.
Fu Shan Viewing Point
Fu Shan Viewing Point is a popular hike with a beautiful view of the nature around Tai O. We decided to do the hike first since we took one of the earliest buses into town, hoping to beat the crowds. Luckily, we had the trails all to ourselves, but it was very hot, full humidity, and max UV index, so we had no idea what we were in for.
The hike usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes and isn’t too difficult, but the heat definitely slowed us down a bit. I highly recommend bringing an umbrella if it’s a sunny day, it made a big difference and really helped us power through. By the time we were most of the way up, we were drenched even though the day just started.
Once we reached the top, the view was absolutely stunning. There’s a pavilion where you can take a break and soak it all in. Standing on the path, I had the ocean on one side with the Hong Kong–Macau Bridge in the distance, and lush island greenery on the other. It truly felt like the best of both worlds, especially with the beautiful wooden path through it all. You’d never know you were in one of the densest cities in the world just a few hours ago.
Sun Ki Bridge
Sun Ki Bridge is one of the best spots to see the water village of Tai O. When we visited Brunei, we explored their water village too, so we were already familiar with houses being propped up on stilts. Compared to Brunei, where parts of the village have been renovated and look more modern, Tai O has held onto its traditional charm.
Standing on the bridge, with colorful houses on both sides and boats passing through the middle, felt like watching a live painting. It was simple, peaceful, and really beautiful. This bridge was funded by locals in 1979, and is actually a draw bridge. There was only one other crossing at the time, and this still the furthest bridge. However, when we visited a new bridge was being constructed on the north side which should make traveling even easier.
Tung O Ancient Trail
Tung O Ancient Trail is a coastal walk that starts in Tung Chung and ends in Tai O, covering about 9.3 miles. We only walked a short portion of it because we wanted to spend as much time as we could exploring Tai O. It’s a great trail with views of the village, lush greenery, and a few temples along the way. If you are a nature lover and have 3-4 hours, this is a great alternate way to get to Tai O.
Tai O Market Street Drawbridge
Tai O Market Street Drawbridge is a small bridge right in the heart of the water village. It’s still actively used, so it’s not the best idea to stand in the middle since it can open at any time. I wish I had more to say, but honestly, it really is just a small bridge in the city. That said, it’s a great spot to take in the beautiful scenery of the fishing village and soak up the charm of Tai O.
Fuk Hing Hong
For our first snack of the day, we decided to try out Fuk Hing Hong. It’s a food stand that also has a restaurant, and we were there for one reason: their famous fish balls. They offer two flavors, regular and spicy curry. Of course we had to try both. We’re big fans of fish cakes and fish balls, so we knew this was going to be a win. After we ordered, one of the people from the shop invited us into the restaurant to enjoy them. As soon as I stepped through the door, I was greeted by the cutest, kindest, and most vocal “cat”ployee. I was smiling from ear to ear.
We started with the spicy fish balls. I loved the spongy texture and the subtle kick from the sauce. I have a huge spice tolerance, so it wasn’t spicy for me at all, but the flavor was still really nice. Then we tried the regular ones, and they were delicious too. They set the standard for what a good fish ball should taste like. If we had to pick a favorite, we’d go with the spicy, but the regular was definitely up there.
While we were happily eating our fish balls, we also got top-tier service from the “cat”ployee, who made sure our chairs were stable and checked in on us throughout our visit.
Nak Kafe
After walking the two popular trails, we spontaneously decided to cool off at Nak Kafe. It’s a cute and quaint little spot right by the bridge before you cross into the village. The cafe sits right on the water, so the view of Tai O is absolutely fantastic. They serve meals too, but we were saving our appetite since we had a whole list of things to eat later.
We went for an espresso tonic and a yuzu elderflower soda. I know these aren’t the most hydrating choices, but they were ice cold and sent shivers down our spines. We were hot, sweaty, and completely drenched, so it was exactly what we needed. The vibes at Nak Kafe are super chill. The guy working there was just a genuinely kind person with a really positive energy. It was so nice sitting out on the patio in the shade, watching boats float by on the river.
Tai O Bakery
Tai O Bakery is a small takeaway shop located on one of the main streets in Tai O. We went there right when they opened because they make fresh donuts all the way until closing. Since they don’t keep a ton of donuts sitting out, they sell pretty fast and you might have to wait a little for the next batch.
These donuts aren’t like your typical Western-style doughy donuts. Tai O donuts are super light and taste more like fry bread coated in sugar. Since we were the first customers, ours were super fresh and as soon as we took a bite, we understood why they’re so popular. They’re airy, crisp, and easy to eat more than one without even thinking about it.
Tai O Bakery also has mochi. They only offer two flavors, mango and peanut, and what you see is exactly what you get. The mango mochi is literally a big fresh piece of mango wrapped in soft, chewy mochi. Yum! Just thinking about it again is making me excited. The peanut mochi was filled with chopped peanuts. I really liked it because I love anything peanut related, but Michael wasn’t the biggest fan. It was a little too dry for his taste, and he was expecting peanut butter instead of peanuts.
Espace Elastique
Since it was skin meltingly hot, we decided to take a break from the sun and visit a café or restaurant to cool down. I was really drawn in by the cute pet friendly patio, and the interior was simple and had great air conditioning which felt amazing. Espace Elastique isn’t just a restaurant, it’s also a hotel.
Usually when we travel, we try to explore as much as possible, but it was really nice to switch up the pace and just sit down and relax. We got iced drinks of course since it was scorching hot. I had a kombucha and Michael got a glass of beer.
Hong Kong has a sustainable beer brand called Breer that uses uneaten and surplus bread to brew beer. He picked a citrusy one made with orange peels that were recycled from a festival in Hong Kong. Even though we were hot and sweaty, it was an exceptional glass of beer.
Tai O Kwan Tai Temple
Tai O Kwan Tai is a cute little temple at the back of the main square in Tai O. It is one of a few small temples in the area. If you’re spending all day in Tai O, there isn’t a lot to fill space, so we decided to take a quick visit while waiting for our reservation at the Heritage Hotel. The temple was built in 1505, making it one of the oldest sites in the village, although it has been reconstructed since then.
It is very, very small, so you can only spend a few minutes inside, the exterior is the more iconic part. To be honest, it was a tad disappointing compared to the amazing Man Mo Temple from the day before which had a similar footprint. If you’re going to visit a temple, the Yeung Hau Temple has a much more interesting exterior and larger interior (although we didn’t go inside because it wasn’t open yet).
Tai O Heritage Hotel
Tai O Heritage Hotel isn’t just a place to stay, a long time ago, it used to be a police station. Built in a beautiful colonial style with a pure white exterior, the hotel proudly sits atop a hill at the end of Tai O Fishing Village. Since this is the furthest west point in Hong Kong, it played a strategically important part in British defenses. There are name plates that show what some of the rooms used to be, like holding cells and bunkers. You can even spot some bullet holes in a metal shutter on the backside of the hotel, preserving it’s history.
Nowadays, it’s a beautifully renovated small hotel with about nine rooms. You don’t have to stay there to walk around the premises. There’s not a whole lot to see, but there is a restaurant where you can grab a meal.
Tai O Lookout Restaurant
Tai O Lookout is the restaurant inside Tai O Heritage Hotel. The space is absolutely stunning with glass windows and a glass ceiling that let in lots of natural sunlight. The interior is just as lovely with vintage table booths, wood furniture, and patterned tile floors.
We made a reservation just in case, but there was actually plenty of space. We came in the afternoon because we were really excited to try their afternoon tea menu called the “Taste of Tai O Tea Set” for two. They offer both set menus and a la carte options, but we wanted to try a bit of everything. The tea set includes both sweet and savory items made with ingredients that reflect the flavors of Tai O Fishing Village.
Even though it’s a tea set, it comes with one of their popular mocktails called the “Mangrove Special” which is made with mountain begonia juice, apple juice, and lemon juice. It was the perfect fruity punch to go with everything we were about to eat.
My favorite item was the pork chop puff with shrimp paste. As soon as I took a bite, I was sold. The pastry was flaky, buttery, and soft. The filling had just the right amount to balance with the pastry shell and there was a nice salty hint from the shrimp paste. I could easily eat a whole plate of those. Michael loved the wagyu and salted fish burger. It was one of those super gourmet burgers that you don’t want every day, but when you’re craving it, there’s nothing else you need.
We were so glad we chose the set because we got to try a bunch of different ingredients that are special to Tai O like seafood, shrimp paste, and begonias. It’s a great place to stop for a tasty bite while visiting the hotel. The restaurant ended up being out highlight of the day, with such a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere, super delicious food, and a great view over they bay.
Final Thoughts
Tai O Fishing Village gave us amazing views, great food, and a slower pace that felt like a breath of fresh air. It’s an easy getaway with a lot to offer in just one day. We’ve seen a few people be disappointed in Tai O because they were expecting a pristine tourist village. Just know Tai O is a true slice of old Hong Kong life, preserved for the modern age. It’s well lived in and has all the charm and character of a real functioning fishing village. If you’re looking for a mix of nature, culture, and snacks, this is the spot.
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