Two Perspectives, One “Boat Dweller” in Tai O

Prior to the arrival of the British in 1898, there were four indigenous groups settled in Hong Kong. They have made up for more than 90% of the city ethnic population. In the 11th century, the “Punti” (廣府人、本地人) began to come to this city from Guangdong province in southern China, with the Hau, Tang ,Pang, Liu, and Man as the five great clans. Salt, pearl and fishery trading were the main methods to earn a living. 

Originated from Fujian, Hoklo (福佬人、鶴佬人) were the following ethnic group settled in Hong Kong. The Hakka (客家人) became the last ethnic groups arriving in 1688, after the Qing dynasty lifted the “Coastal Evacuation Order”, in order to fight the anti-Qing loyalist movement of the erstwhile Ming dynasty in Taiwan. Hakka women used to focus on farming, while the men used to work as laborers in the urban areas.

In between the settlement of Hoklo and Hakka, the Tanka (蜑家人) began to inhabit in the city. Known as the “Boat Dwellers”, they built their houses on stilts above the tidal flats. Houses are interconnected to form a tightly knit community above the sea. Inhabitants used to do the social gathering, family gathering and ancestor worship, as well as business activity in the front, middle and the bottom of the stilt houses.

Apart from Cheung Chau, Shau Kei Wan and Aberdeen, the Tanka also settled in Lantau Island for generations. Discover the hidden gems in Tai O, and take a closer look into their unique village life. By hiking 20 minutes along the Tai O Country Trail, you will reach the Fu Shan Viewing Point with a bird’s eye view of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Isn’t it the best way to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city?

A 20-minute boat excursion offers you another perspective of this “Venice of the East”. Snap the romantic scene when you pass through the Tai Chung Bridge and Sun Ki Bridge, with the stilt houses against rolling green hills. Hope you are lucky enough to encounter the Chinese White Dolphins. As they grow older, the grey bodies change into pinkish color, while they remain to communicate and locate prey with echolocation.

Station Tofu Pudding. “Husband rolls” in Cheung Choi Kee. Grill cuttlefish in Wing On Street. Shrimp Paste Fried Rice in Fook Moon Lam. You deserve some street snacks after a long walk.