The vibrant city of Hong Kong offers a wide array of food and attractions like Ocean Park and Disneyland, but for avid travellers who have already been there and done that, why not try something new?
For a more culturally immersive experience, spend a full day exploring the equally interesting Cheung Chau Island that is just a short ferry ride away from the mainland.
Getting to Cheung Chau Island
There are Central Ferry Piers located at the Central MTR Station (exit A) where you can take a boat out to the different outlying islands, but a personal favourite of ours is the Cheung Chau Island. You may choose between fast ferry (approx 30 mins) and ordinary ferry (approx 55 mins) to get there.
For ferry timings, please visit The New World First Ferry Services site.
Cheung Chau Island is famous for its annual bun festival, also known as the Cheung Chau Da Jiu Festival, which is held between April and May each year.
One of the programme highlights includes having three 60ft bun towers situated outside Pak Tai Temple. The festival’s designated climbers will race up the tower, clear the buns on the top, and strip the rest of the buns as they descend.
Besides that entertaining show, there will also be parades and lion dances to celebrate the occasion. The Peace Bun symbolises safety and peacefulness, and is commonly sold all over the island.
Other than the bun festival, Cheung Chau Island is also famous for its delicious street food, seafood, and bicycle rides.
Our top 3 street food picks
1. Kwok Kam Kee Cake Shop
Address: 46 Pak She St, Cheung Chau, Hong Kong
Operating hours: 6am – 7pm
Famous for: The famous Peace buns that are a local specialty
2. Gam Yong Tai Fish Balls
Address: G/F, 106 San Hing St, Cheung Chau, Hong Kong
Operating hours: 7am – 5pm
Famous for: For selling a variety of yummy fish balls
3. Xin Zhao Ki Snack Shop
Address: G/F, 18 Tung Wan Road, Cheung Chau
Operating hours: 7am – 5pm
Famous for: The different traditional delicacies they offer, and a Korean shop next door that sells “potato twists” and iced candied fruits in many flavours
Seafood street
Like many seafood restaurants in Hong Kong, those in Cheung Chau allow you to bring your own seafood (bought from live seafood markets) to be cooked at a fee.
To get to the seafood street, turn left after you leave the ferry pier, and walk towards Pak Tai Temple, which would have a signpost to direct you.
The seafood street is located just along the coast, on the left. There you will find a whole stretch of seafood restaurants, all with scenic views of the waters. Most restaurants offer dinner set meals, where you can mix and match your favourite dishes. For the best experience, we recommend picking a waterfront restaurant to enjoy the sunset.
Cycling around Cheung Chau
There are many bicycle rental shops on the island that offer regular bicycles, as well as two-seater tandem bicycles for couples just in case you want to fulfil your romantic Korean drama date fantasies!
