Tung Ping Chau
Tung Ping Chau
4.5
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Neighborhood: New Territories
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4.5
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BradJill
Hong Kong, China155,134 contributions
Jan 2022
If visiting Tung Ping Chau, best to bring some food and sufficient water with you as there is no way off the island in between the ferry arrival (10.30am) and scheduled departure (5.15pm). However, there are a few casual places that open up on days that ferries come to the island (Sat, Sun and PH) that you can use for meal and drink stops as well.
The two main places to eat are found 7-8 minute walk (turn right) from the ferry pier at the old Tai Long Village. They are both open from morning until late for those who decide to camp out at Tung Ping Chau.
The restaurants have very similar menus with both Cantonese and English. You'll find local dishes featuring seafood, rice and noodles. They have basic range of drinks as well. The shop closest to the beach is smaller space and usually more crowded. As such, we usually go to the store back on the path a bit. They have much larger area and table spacing. There you will also find a reasonably well maintained squat style toilet as well.
Importantly, prices at these places are actually reasonable (cash payments only) for the dish potion sizes and taste is better than you'd expect for kitchens that only setup a couple days a week on remote abandoned islands. We like the fried squid and usually order fried rice as well. A cold beer is a nice way to relax after a near full day hiking around the island. This place also does egg waffles, tofu pudding and fish balls. The puff waffle is pretty good.
Overall, these are better than you'd expect beach restaurants all things considered. We enjoy paying visit and having a brief bite to eat and drink an hour or so before the ferries depart (5.15pm) back to Ma Liu Shui. It is something we look forward to as part of the Tung Ping Chau experience.
The two main places to eat are found 7-8 minute walk (turn right) from the ferry pier at the old Tai Long Village. They are both open from morning until late for those who decide to camp out at Tung Ping Chau.
The restaurants have very similar menus with both Cantonese and English. You'll find local dishes featuring seafood, rice and noodles. They have basic range of drinks as well. The shop closest to the beach is smaller space and usually more crowded. As such, we usually go to the store back on the path a bit. They have much larger area and table spacing. There you will also find a reasonably well maintained squat style toilet as well.
Importantly, prices at these places are actually reasonable (cash payments only) for the dish potion sizes and taste is better than you'd expect for kitchens that only setup a couple days a week on remote abandoned islands. We like the fried squid and usually order fried rice as well. A cold beer is a nice way to relax after a near full day hiking around the island. This place also does egg waffles, tofu pudding and fish balls. The puff waffle is pretty good.
Overall, these are better than you'd expect beach restaurants all things considered. We enjoy paying visit and having a brief bite to eat and drink an hour or so before the ferries depart (5.15pm) back to Ma Liu Shui. It is something we look forward to as part of the Tung Ping Chau experience.
Written January 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BradJill
Hong Kong, China155,134 contributions
Dec 2020
Hard to believe there are unknown locations to visit on the UNESCO Global Geopark island of Tung Ping Chau. However, this sort of applies to the dramatic seaside cliffs found at stop #6 on the HK Global Geopark trail map for Tung Ping Chau.
What you find here are several hundred metres of incredible seaside cliffs made up of endless layers of colourful sedimentary layers. The cliffs run alongside the sea and are very photogenic. Much of the walk along the cliffs is simple and easy, you encounter loads of rock pools nearer to the sea, many with crabs, sea urchin, sea hares and fish. These are just as fun to see as those at more popular places around the island.
As you walk further northwest along the cliffs, they at times become more challenging, particularly if tide is up, presenting more exciting clambering along the cliff sides, until you reach the impassable sea cave called Hoi Lo Tung(海螺穴) where the route is then cut off.
To access the sea cliffs there is a splinter trail that you take on the west side of the island in the Chau Pui area. After a short 20 metres or so, you see the opening in the trees and the trail which scales down a section of accessible cliffside that can be navigated down to the sea level where the cliffs can be seen and enjoyed.
Interestingly, there are usually a handful of other people here but far fewer than what you will find at the most popular geological highlights around the island. At times, these places can be very crowded. By comparison, we have been at the Chau Pui seaside cliffs by ourselves, being able to enjoy the remarkable sedimentary cliff formations while taking as many unobstructed photos as we like. At times, it is hard to believe so many many visitors miss this location when spending their days at Tung Ping Chau. It is one of our very favourite places on the island.
What you find here are several hundred metres of incredible seaside cliffs made up of endless layers of colourful sedimentary layers. The cliffs run alongside the sea and are very photogenic. Much of the walk along the cliffs is simple and easy, you encounter loads of rock pools nearer to the sea, many with crabs, sea urchin, sea hares and fish. These are just as fun to see as those at more popular places around the island.
As you walk further northwest along the cliffs, they at times become more challenging, particularly if tide is up, presenting more exciting clambering along the cliff sides, until you reach the impassable sea cave called Hoi Lo Tung(海螺穴) where the route is then cut off.
To access the sea cliffs there is a splinter trail that you take on the west side of the island in the Chau Pui area. After a short 20 metres or so, you see the opening in the trees and the trail which scales down a section of accessible cliffside that can be navigated down to the sea level where the cliffs can be seen and enjoyed.
Interestingly, there are usually a handful of other people here but far fewer than what you will find at the most popular geological highlights around the island. At times, these places can be very crowded. By comparison, we have been at the Chau Pui seaside cliffs by ourselves, being able to enjoy the remarkable sedimentary cliff formations while taking as many unobstructed photos as we like. At times, it is hard to believe so many many visitors miss this location when spending their days at Tung Ping Chau. It is one of our very favourite places on the island.
Written December 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Joseph T
Hong Kong, China2,824 contributions
Dec 2020 • Friends
A very peaceful outlying island at the far northeastern territory of Hong Kong, opposite to Shenzhen Yantian. Only accessible by chartered ferries on weekends. The island is featured with marvelous geological landscape comprising of sediments rocks, which is a good attraction for sight-seeing as well as for education. Small restaurants & dormitories are available to visitors during holidays.
Written December 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Miki Sivan
Hong Kong, China30 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
Island is worthy for a one time visit (5 star) as the rock formations are truly unique.
However, everything else is shameful. The ferry - slow, ancient, smell of engine smoke all the way, noisy engine, uncomfortable chairs with minimal view. The ferry piers on both sides - old, neglected, no signs, no clear schedule, nothing written or spoken in English, long lines of people waiting.
On the island stinky toilets and the "village" is a bunch of totally neglected ruins filled with junk. Sad!
However, everything else is shameful. The ferry - slow, ancient, smell of engine smoke all the way, noisy engine, uncomfortable chairs with minimal view. The ferry piers on both sides - old, neglected, no signs, no clear schedule, nothing written or spoken in English, long lines of people waiting.
On the island stinky toilets and the "village" is a bunch of totally neglected ruins filled with junk. Sad!
Written November 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BradJill
Hong Kong, China155,134 contributions
Mar 2020
Tung Ping Chau is the farthest and wildest of Hong Kong outlying islands, being just 2 km off the mainland Chinese coast and Mirs Bay and around 27 km away by ferry from the Ma Liu Shui Pier near University MTR Station. This is a small crescent shaped island less than 1.2 sq. km yet it is one of Hong Kong's finest marine and geological locations, the reason most visit here today.
In the distant past the island had up to 3000 people and over 100 junk boats supporting a thriving fishing community. There were a handful of island villages with numerous hamlets some of which are several centuries old. By the 1970s, the villagers had mostly deserted their homes and migrated to the city (Hong Kong). Now these are little more than ghost towns, with hamlet ruins slowing being taken over by nature.
Today, most come to the island as weekend day-trippers from the city, eager to hike the 6.5 km loop trail and enjoy the remarkable geological land and rock formations seen along the coastline. The trail passes through some of the abandoned villages mentioned above. It includes stretches through grassy hillsides, at times with heavy vegetation, wooded sections and even a couple of bamboo forests. There are viewpoints and numerous stops to see the beaches and geological highlights along the way.
Highlights include the iron rock formations at A-Ma Wan Beach, the ancient Tin Hau Temple, the remarkable sedimentary towers (sea stacks) and wave-cut patterns lining the coastline at Lung Lok Shui. The shores of Pak Lap Wan and Chau Wei Kok offer more of these layered sedimentary formations. Another highlight is the fully formed sea abrasion canyon that you can walk through at Cam Keng Chau. These are rare geological features that form dramatic and beautiful scenery.
Visitors will find numerous places to take rest or have a picnic around the island. There are several public toilets on the east side of the island as well as in the village cafes setup around 500 metres from the Tung Ping Chau Pier, which links the island with the civilised world of Hong Kong. You will find signs, trail markers and information panels provided at each of the highlight stops.
Note : Public ferry service to Tung Ping Chau is available from Ma Liu Shui Pier near University MTR Station on Saturday (9am and 3pm) and Sunday (9am). It takes around 1.5 hours to travel the 27km distance to Tung Ping Chau. The ferry then returns from Tung Ping Chau to Ma Liu Shui Pier at 5.15pm (Sat and Sun). There are no daily sailings to Tung Ping Chau during weekdays.
In the distant past the island had up to 3000 people and over 100 junk boats supporting a thriving fishing community. There were a handful of island villages with numerous hamlets some of which are several centuries old. By the 1970s, the villagers had mostly deserted their homes and migrated to the city (Hong Kong). Now these are little more than ghost towns, with hamlet ruins slowing being taken over by nature.
Today, most come to the island as weekend day-trippers from the city, eager to hike the 6.5 km loop trail and enjoy the remarkable geological land and rock formations seen along the coastline. The trail passes through some of the abandoned villages mentioned above. It includes stretches through grassy hillsides, at times with heavy vegetation, wooded sections and even a couple of bamboo forests. There are viewpoints and numerous stops to see the beaches and geological highlights along the way.
Highlights include the iron rock formations at A-Ma Wan Beach, the ancient Tin Hau Temple, the remarkable sedimentary towers (sea stacks) and wave-cut patterns lining the coastline at Lung Lok Shui. The shores of Pak Lap Wan and Chau Wei Kok offer more of these layered sedimentary formations. Another highlight is the fully formed sea abrasion canyon that you can walk through at Cam Keng Chau. These are rare geological features that form dramatic and beautiful scenery.
Visitors will find numerous places to take rest or have a picnic around the island. There are several public toilets on the east side of the island as well as in the village cafes setup around 500 metres from the Tung Ping Chau Pier, which links the island with the civilised world of Hong Kong. You will find signs, trail markers and information panels provided at each of the highlight stops.
Note : Public ferry service to Tung Ping Chau is available from Ma Liu Shui Pier near University MTR Station on Saturday (9am and 3pm) and Sunday (9am). It takes around 1.5 hours to travel the 27km distance to Tung Ping Chau. The ferry then returns from Tung Ping Chau to Ma Liu Shui Pier at 5.15pm (Sat and Sun). There are no daily sailings to Tung Ping Chau during weekdays.
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TravelWithEarlyTeens
Asia1,678 contributions
Feb 2018 • Family
I signed up with the tour agency to come to Tung Ping Chau.The reason beginning I wanted to come to and leave this island at a time more suited to me. If I had been there with local ferry , I would need to be at the Pier at 09:00 to make exploring this land worthwhile and the only ferry leave this island is at 17:15。Please refer to the picture below for schedule to this island
What like :
-Lots of photos opportunity
Don't rush, you should really take your time on this island because there is lots to see
- Enjoyed looking at the funky rocks formed by the abrasions of the sea
-Lovely scenery of course.
What don't I like:
- I was not able to buy snacks or drinks on this island so make sure you bring lots of water, may be, bring a picnic basket
- there was no internet connection on this island ;as the boat pull in to the Pier , I lost internet connectivity completely.
NOTE: when you see the toilet use it ; not many about on the island .
Exploring this island with younger kids is best to use one of those hiking backpack where you could piggy bag your kid...stroller wouldn't be possible as you would come about rocky path literally.
For pensioners, be prepared , not an easy walk as it involves stairs and navigating through rocky beach.
Overall, I would come back again one day to enjoy it's fullness.Tour group has it's disadvantage ; it was too much of a rush rush .
Written March 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pam Q
Singapore, Singapore49 contributions
Mar 2017 • Family
Not easy to get to considering you need to take the ferry from a non commercial jetty which is not easy to find but worth all the trouble. Never knew such a beautiful place exists in HK. Nature and geography lovers need to see this place. To get here. You need to get to a jetty about 15 mins walk from the University train station. Do make sure that you check ferry/boats schedule. Usually on weekends, there is a ferry leaving at around 9am and returning from the island around 5 pm. We joined a day tour group so the guide was waiting for us at the train station.
The tour had a stopover at Kat O island - about 1 hour ride, where we visited an old village and had a wonderful Hakka lunch before we continued the boat ride to Tung Ping island. Another 1 hour of ferry ride.
The island is super laid back and has beautiful rock formation which is not found anywhere else in HK. Takes about 4-5 hours to circle around the island on foot. If you have a drone, I imagine you would capture some amazing sights. Lots of private beaches and on summer, do bring a change if clothes so that you can swim, however, i did not see many designated places for shower or change. Saw many divers going to the changing room at the drinks store, i believe it is pretty basic and rustic.
There is a little hostel where you can get room if you plan to stay over night, again it is pretty rustic. There are a couple of stores selling food and drinks as well as local ladies selling local steam cakes filled with red bean and peanuts, they are really yummy!
As for the boats, they are not the usual fancy boats rather basic passenger boats. If you get seasick, please do ensure that you take some medication and grab seats outdoor as the inside is pretty stuffy and you get the constant smell of fuel.
Definitely worth the trouble and time getting here!
The tour had a stopover at Kat O island - about 1 hour ride, where we visited an old village and had a wonderful Hakka lunch before we continued the boat ride to Tung Ping island. Another 1 hour of ferry ride.
The island is super laid back and has beautiful rock formation which is not found anywhere else in HK. Takes about 4-5 hours to circle around the island on foot. If you have a drone, I imagine you would capture some amazing sights. Lots of private beaches and on summer, do bring a change if clothes so that you can swim, however, i did not see many designated places for shower or change. Saw many divers going to the changing room at the drinks store, i believe it is pretty basic and rustic.
There is a little hostel where you can get room if you plan to stay over night, again it is pretty rustic. There are a couple of stores selling food and drinks as well as local ladies selling local steam cakes filled with red bean and peanuts, they are really yummy!
As for the boats, they are not the usual fancy boats rather basic passenger boats. If you get seasick, please do ensure that you take some medication and grab seats outdoor as the inside is pretty stuffy and you get the constant smell of fuel.
Definitely worth the trouble and time getting here!
Written March 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TheOExpress🏴🇭🇰
Hong Kong, China4,283 contributions
Apr 2020 • Couples
...to the far NE of Hong Kong’s territory, much closer to the Mainland. The walk around the island trail is pleasant enough but it’s the coastline that is really the draw: spectacular rock formations. And the local speciality, sea urchin, is also definitely worth trying!
Written April 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BradJill
Hong Kong, China155,134 contributions
Mar 2020
The Tung Ping Chau trail is around 6.5 km in distance and circles the outlying island of Tung Ping Chau. It is a fairly easy hike which is a mix of paved walkway and quick a bit of natural trail. It takes around 3-4 hours to complete with minimal stops or up to 5-6 hours if you take in the numerous geological points of interest and viewpoints along the route. Plenty of signs, maps and highlight information panels found throughout the trail.
Note: There is a shorter version of the trail that skips the far north of the island cutting across the island at Cham Keng Chau on the west coast back across to the main ferry pier.
Note: To make your way to Tung Ping Chau for this particular hike, you will need to visit on the weekend and take the ferry from Ma Liu Shui Pier, 10 minute walk from University MTR Station. Sailings on only on Saturday (9am and 3pm) and Sunday (9am) and is around 1.5 hours to travel the 27km distance to Tung Ping Chau. The ferry returns from Tung Ping Chau to Ma Liu Shui Pier at 5.15pm (Sat and Sun). There are no daily sailings to Tung Ping Chau during weekdays.
The Tung Ping Chau Trail passes through several abandoned villages with ruinous hamlets and a handful of highlight geological sites where you can view, walk upon and admire unique sedimentary rock formations that protrude from the Earth at various angles and form beautiful coastal scenes alongside the clean blue waters that surround the island. There are nice beachfronts, stretches of hillside with heavy vegetation, wooded areas and even patches of bamboo forrest that you will see.
Particular highlights along the Tung Ping Chau Trail include A Ma Wan Beach, the Tin Hau Temple and Kang Lau Shek where you see impressive sea stacks and Wave-cut sedimentary patterns. Lung Lok Shui, Pak Lap Wan and Chau Wei Kok have similar wave-cut patterns and rock formations. There is a neat sea abrasion canyon you can walk through at Cam Keng Chau as well.
There are picnic areas and several public toilet facilities situated on the east side of the island trail. A small village area just a few hundred metres from the main pier includes a couple of island cafes where you will also find toilets. This is a good location for a rest break and bite to eat if you fancy something while waiting for the 5.15pm afternoon ferry off of Tung Ping Chau.
Overall, this trail offers a great full day out of the city, particularly when the weather is clear and favourable. The hike is quite easy and the scenery is very rewarding. There are a surprising number of other hikers and day trippers that you will see throughout the day but they tend to spread around the island so it isn't too difficult to find quiet spots if you look for them. The biggest issue with this particular trail is that it is limited to weekend use due to the lack of weekday ferries out to Tung Ping Chau.
Note: There is a shorter version of the trail that skips the far north of the island cutting across the island at Cham Keng Chau on the west coast back across to the main ferry pier.
Note: To make your way to Tung Ping Chau for this particular hike, you will need to visit on the weekend and take the ferry from Ma Liu Shui Pier, 10 minute walk from University MTR Station. Sailings on only on Saturday (9am and 3pm) and Sunday (9am) and is around 1.5 hours to travel the 27km distance to Tung Ping Chau. The ferry returns from Tung Ping Chau to Ma Liu Shui Pier at 5.15pm (Sat and Sun). There are no daily sailings to Tung Ping Chau during weekdays.
The Tung Ping Chau Trail passes through several abandoned villages with ruinous hamlets and a handful of highlight geological sites where you can view, walk upon and admire unique sedimentary rock formations that protrude from the Earth at various angles and form beautiful coastal scenes alongside the clean blue waters that surround the island. There are nice beachfronts, stretches of hillside with heavy vegetation, wooded areas and even patches of bamboo forrest that you will see.
Particular highlights along the Tung Ping Chau Trail include A Ma Wan Beach, the Tin Hau Temple and Kang Lau Shek where you see impressive sea stacks and Wave-cut sedimentary patterns. Lung Lok Shui, Pak Lap Wan and Chau Wei Kok have similar wave-cut patterns and rock formations. There is a neat sea abrasion canyon you can walk through at Cam Keng Chau as well.
There are picnic areas and several public toilet facilities situated on the east side of the island trail. A small village area just a few hundred metres from the main pier includes a couple of island cafes where you will also find toilets. This is a good location for a rest break and bite to eat if you fancy something while waiting for the 5.15pm afternoon ferry off of Tung Ping Chau.
Overall, this trail offers a great full day out of the city, particularly when the weather is clear and favourable. The hike is quite easy and the scenery is very rewarding. There are a surprising number of other hikers and day trippers that you will see throughout the day but they tend to spread around the island so it isn't too difficult to find quiet spots if you look for them. The biggest issue with this particular trail is that it is limited to weekend use due to the lack of weekday ferries out to Tung Ping Chau.
Written March 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Joshua200710
Hong Kong, China114 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
Layers and layers of sedimentary rock, this geographical must see hosts many seemingly private beaches, and pristine clear water. With so many unique sights on just this one flat island of paradise, it will take one day to tour this island for many unforgettable sights. Unfortunately, transportation rarely allows visits to this island as they only take visitors on weekends.
Written January 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tung Ping Chau (Hong Kong) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Tung Ping Chau
- Hotels near Tung Ping Chau:
- (8.70 mi) InterContinental Shenzhen Dameisha Resort
- (2.44 mi) Shenzhen Marriott Hotel Golden Bay
- (2.83 mi) Nan Ao Hotel
- (2.38 mi) June Sea Hotel
- (2.71 mi) Xiangyanghua Times Boutique Inn
- Restaurants near Tung Ping Chau:
- (8.70 mi) Commune All Day Dining Restaurant
- (8.70 mi) Lobby Lounge InterContinental Shenzhen Dameisha Resort
- (8.70 mi) Capri Italian Restaurant
- (8.81 mi) Dragon Court At Sheraton Dameisha Resort
- (6.91 mi) New Hon Kee