Peng Chau

Peng Chau (坪洲 Pìhng Jāu) is the smallest of the populated islands within the Outlying Islands of Hong Kong. The population of the island is only a few thousand, and so the lifestyle is considered sedate by Hong Kong standards. Peng Chau serves as a weekend getaway for many local Hongkongers who wish to take a pleasant stroll around quiet streets, or enjoy some easy hiking.

8 km to the west of Hong Kong Island, Peng Chau has an area less than. As the Cantonese name suggests, it's mostly flat land.

Understand
Peng Chau has a reputation for being dull and lacking in tourist attractions. Yet, if you go there expecting to see very little, you may be pleasantly surprised. Restaurants here are cheaper than on the other islands and you get the feeling you are off the 'beaten-track' of mass tourism. Perhaps it is the place to go at the end of your holiday when you are weary of the fast-pace of the big city and just want to slow down, have a drink and chat with friends. From Peng Chau you can easily take the "kaito" ferry over to the Trappist monastery on Lantau island and hike for a couple of hours, along the hilly footpath to Mui Wo in one direction, or Discovery Bay in the other. From Mui Wo you can take another ferry back to Hong Kong island.

Get in
Most people take the ferry service from Hong Kong Central Pier 6 - next to the Central Star Ferry.

Alternatively you can arrive by boat from Discovery Bay on Lantau island (which is very close). The Inter Islands ferry provides 10 sailings a day starting from Cheung Chau and stopping at Mui Wo on the way to Peng Chau.

Get around
There are no cars, buses or taxis on the island - that is the attraction. This is not a major issue as the entire island is only approximately 1 km2. You may see village vehicles driving around, but there are only for transporting goods and are not permitted to take passengers. The only full-sized vehicles permitted on the island are the ambulances and fire service vehicles. Visitors can hire bicycles at reasonable prices.

Temples
The island has eight temples, including:

Do
Most tourists come to Peng Chau to walk around this car-free island. The island has many footpaths that you can safely explore.

The walk along Peng Hu Path which traverses the northern stretch of coastline is less well-known and takes you past a couple of small beaches that are popular with swimmers and sunbathers.

Buy
Peng Chau is a good place to buy souvenir Chinese ceramics. There is a workshop and studio that makes various items. Another shop (not far from HSBC) sells hand painted ceramics such as plates and Chinese teapots. You can also try your hand at painting your own.

Most of the shops on the island do not accept credit cards or octopus card, so bring enough cash with you. If you need to withdraw more, the only ATM on the island is operated by HSBC and can be found beside the police station basketball court.

Eat
The list below is not exhaustive of the options available on Peng Chau. The island is not large, and the built-up area is very small. It might be worthwhile taking a stroll around the main shopping streets and seeing what is on offer. The list below comprises the more visible eating establishments which have at least part of the menu available in English.

Chinese
Choices of places to eat on the island are fairly limited if you don't speak Cantonese. Most eateries are small and sell traditional food aimed at local people.

South-East Asian
There are two Thai restaurants that are popular with tourists because they speak English and provide English menus.

Outdoor options
The north end of Tung Wan beach has BBQ pits.

Alcohol
Beer is sold in some of the larger restaurants and cafes, most that sell beer will have a sign outside with the brand of beer they supply printed on it.

Sleep
Peng Chau does not have any official hotels or guest houses. There are no government campsites.

Connect
4G mobile internet is available over the whole island, although some black spots might occur along the hiking trails.

Stay safe
It is very unlikely that you will encounter any issues on Peng Chau. As with the rest of Hong Kong, the area is very safe at all times of day. The major issues are likely to arise from safety issues related to the sea, or hiking. If you need assistance, you should dial 999, or you may contact the local emergency services directly on: 2C, Wing On Side Street. 16 Po Peng Street 1A Shing Ka Road
 * Peng Chau Police Station: (+852) 3661 1716
 * Peng Chau Fire Station: (+852) 2983 2179
 * Peng Chau Clinic: (+852) 2983 1110

Go next
A ferry from Peng Chau can be taken to any of the following:
 * Discovery Bay, Lantau - Reachable via ferry from the Peng Chau public pier. The ferry occasionally stops at the Trappist Monastery pier first, so make sure you don't get off the boat prematurely.
 * Central - The most regular ferry service from the main Peng Chau Ferry Pier.
 * Cheung Chau & Mui Wo - Reachable via the Inter-Island Ferry service which leaves from the same pier as the Central ferry, although from a different gate. The ferry operates several times a day and stops at Mui Wo, then Chi Ma Wan (there is little at this spot and it is mostly only to pick up or drop off hikers), and finally at Cheung Chau before turning around and coming back.
 * Trappist Monastery - An old monastery on Lantau Island which used to run one of Hong Kong's largest dairies. The ferry from Peng Chau to Discovery Bay occasionally stops at the monastery's pier (ask the ferry staff) which is about 15 minutes walk uphill from the first parts of the complex itself. From there you can hike to either Mui Wo or Discovery Bay, depending on which direction you head.