Cheung Chau

Cheung Chau (長洲) is a small island south of Hong Kong Island, it is inhabited and has been inhabited for longer than anywhere else in the territory of Hong Kong.

Geographically the island is formed from two mostly granite lumps joined by what was presumably once a sandbar. The island is therefore "long"; hence the name which translated from Cantonese as Long Island. So, it is redudant to say "Cheung Chau Island".

The central part of the island is well developed with shops and houses. Residential areas also exist on the hills of the north and south.

Traditionally the island was a fishing village and there is still a fishing fleet working from the harbour. However in recent years the island has become a residential suburb of Hong Kong Island.

Famous for:

• Pak Tai Temple[?] -- one of the oldest temples in Hong Kong
• Alleged hiding place of Cheung Po Tsai[?] (張保仔), a famous 15th century pirate
• Yearly Bun Festival[?] -- yearly festival which includes a parade of floats, most famously including young children dressed as famous characters doing impossible balancing acts.