Tung Ping Chau rocks!
There are many more things to do in Hong Kong other than sticking to air-conditioned comfort. There are some wonderful outlying islands to explore. Each Saturday this month, Young Post will visit one of these amazing places.
Tung Ping Chau is one of the spots in Hong Kong which the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has proposed as a geosite. It is famous for its extraordinary rock features.
The island is situated in the most easterly part of Hong Kong territory. It is close to the border with Guangdong and was once famous as a place from which guns and opium were smuggled. During the Cultural Revolution, many people from the mainland swam across the sea to this island in the hopes of reaching Hong Kong and freedom.
Although smuggling is rare these days, the police are still here to make sure only Hong Kong residents make it back to the landmass, so don't forget to take your identity card if you go for a day trip.
The island, which has an area of 1.16 km2, is shaped like a crescent and consists of shale rocks, unique for Hong Kong which is mostly made of igneous rock.
Major attractions on the island are linked by a circular trail and two smaller paths that run from east to west. It's a good idea to follow the trails or be prepared to walk on rough, rocky shores to get a closer look at the attractions.
The unique stromatolite sedimentary rock is a signature of Tung Ping Chau. This sponge cake-like structure is the result of erosion, sedimentation and earth movement over long ages. The 200-metre stratum is made up of individual layers as thin as one millimetre, and beddings are clearly distinguishable.
By walking east to west along the coast, you will arrive at the Kang Lau Shek, or Drum Rocks, two rock stacks on a wave-cut platform standing seven to eight metres high. These peculiar rocks have been sculpted by incessant waves and wind.
Keep walking for about half an hour, you will reach Lung Lok Shui, a strange-looking band of rock which extends for more than 100 metres. It is so named because the different hardness of the rock has allowed it to erode in such a way the long, triangular formation looks like the spine of a dragon entering the sea.
Another highlight of the rock features is Cham Keng Chau. A weakness in the rock has allowed the sea to cut a path between the island and a little piece of land.
Along the island's eastern shore there are a few beaches for swimming, snorkelling and diving, where the water is clean and clear.
The island's coastal coral formation is the largest in Hong Kong. These coral communities support more than 130 species of reef fish. Other marine invertebrates include sea urchins, sea stars, sea cucumbers, cowries and sea slugs.
Remember everything on this island is protected. The only things you can take away are photographs and memories.
How to get there: Walk from the University MTR Station to Ma Liu Shui Pier for the island ferry. Ferry departs at 9am and 3.30pm on Saturday and 9am on Sundays and public holidays only. You can hire a boat during the week.
