No Man Is an Island

Get the hell out of town for once. Hong Kong consists of 263 islands – 263! – many of them abandoned and, despite a relatively short journey, far, far away from your troubles. So the next time you want a break from the city, forget about Lamma and head out to these hidden gems instead.

Tap Mun Chau (Grass Island)

Located northwest of Mirs Bay, Tap Mun Chau has about 100 residents (mostly fishermen), a smattering of teahouses and a few ancient, historical sites. There’s a Tin Hau Temple built between 1662 and 1721, which houses several antique art pieces, including a bronze bell made in 1737, and a massive piece of swordfish bone.

Bonus: The “Sun Wei Wo” teahouse is famous for its iced milk tea and boiled squid with noodles. Their homemade chili oil (available for purchase) is massively popular with mothers-in-law territory-wide.

Po Toi

Lying 3km off the southeastern tip of Hong Kong Island, Po Toi is a rugged place circled by sea eagles, and famed for beautiful sights. An ideal place for hikers, the trails are well signposted, with the most scenic walk leading up the hill to the top of the island, from which one can enjoy the fantastic views over the sea and across Hong Kong. Another trail heads around the ancestral graves scattered across hilltops on the southern end of the island. There you can find the Tortoise Rock, Buddha’s Palm Cliff and Monk Rock.

Bonus: Before you reach the turn of either path, descend the concrete steps on the cliff face, where you will find a cluster of prehistoric carvings.

Getting there: The public ferry – a Spartan craft – departs from Aberdeen and arrives at the pier by St. Stephen’s Beach near Stanley, then heads straight for Poi Toi. It docks in Po Toi’s main cove, on the western shore. On weekends and public holidays, a small ferry, operated by Chuen Kee Ferry, runs to Po Toi from St. Stephen’s Beach. Ferries also run between Aberdeen and Po Toi, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, weekends, and public holidays.

Peng Chau

Shaped like a chestnut at the east of Lantau, Peng Chau is a small, populated island great for a quick escape from the city. There are eight temples, with the better-known ones being Tin Hau Temple and Lung Mo Temple. Built in 1792, Tin Hau Temple preserves a whale’s rib bone over 10 meters long, believed to be a gift from Tin Hau, Goddess of the Sea, who scooped the bone out of the water a hundred years ago. Outside the temple lies a stone monument established in 1835, engraved with words of warnings about nearby pirates and prohibitions from activities at sea, including trading. Lung Mo Temple, a tribute to the dragon’s mother, is the largest temple on Peng Chau. Located inside the temple is a dragon bed – it’s said to be magical, as it can "predict" the future.