Cheung Chau: Ultimate Guide

Doubling up as a  B&B and an art jamming workshop, this is a novel place where you can make your own accessories. If you’re with your partner, try painting a wooden heart-shaped lock to add to the popular Love Lock Wall – our version of the Paris Love Lock Bridge – just across the street. The lady in charge is also the in-house henna artist, who can design fun patterns and body art that lasts for up to 10 days.

This marks the spot where one of the most notorious Chinese pirates, Cheung Po-tsai, who once commanded a fleet of 600 ships and was the inspiration behind Chow Yun-fat’s character Sao Feng in Pirates of the Caribbean, used to hide his booty. While there’s no cursed gold or fabulous treasures left, alas, it’s fun to travel through the dark and narrow underground passages. Just remember to bring a torch and maybe a parrot.

A hidden gem at a far end of the island, Heima Heima is a one-woman operation where you’ll feel very much at home. Every corner here is a photo-op with handpicked wall art and shelves of books and souvenirs, all housed in a small room with tatami-style dining, Although the focus is primarily Japanese tea, Heima serves great pour-over and cold brew coffee too. 

Size matters. And some of Hong Kong’s biggest and best fishballs can be found right here at Kam Wing Tai. This legendary stall has been serving up its giant, chewy fishball skewers for more than 40 years. Order the signature as well as an assortment of the other equally delicious hot skewers like the minced fish, squid, meat and tofu ones.

This popular windsurfing beach is where Olympic windsurfing champion Lee Lai-shan trained. With golden sand, a beachside café, and windsurfing, surfing and canoeing equipment available to rent, Kwun Yam Wan has plenty to keep you occupied.

Why fly to Beijing when there’s a ‘great wall’ right here on Cheung Chau? Okay, granted, this attraction has nothing on the real deal but its granite railings and its view overlooking the South China Sea make for a gorgeous coastal walk all the same. Part of the Cheung Chau Family Trail, you can also view a number of oddly shaped rocks like the Human Head Rock while on the same path.

A thoughtful store selling carefully sourced knickknacks from local and international artists, this hipster spot houses a diverse range of quirky and delightful stationery including patterned adhesive tape and animal-shaped wooden carved pencils, Pinterest-worthy home décor and cute accessories you’re unlikely to find anywhere else. It’s easy to get lost and kill time among all the products.

This hidden gem can be discovered down the small alley that is Sun Hing Back Street. Home to all things cute and pretty, Nitti Gritti sells interesting (and frequently animal-themed) homewares and accessories, including jewellery from Hong Kong designers. It’s difficult to go home empty-handed. Plan your visit early, though: it’s only open around weekends.

There’s a giant 11-acre outdoor adventure playground on the island where you can try everything from a treetop canopy walk to archery battles in the jungle. And yeah, there’s a goat pen as well. Sai Yuen Farm is also a fantastic glamping site with four themes and camping experiences to choose from: Native American Teepee, African Safari Tent, Star Gazing Geodesic Dome and The Mongolian Ger. All come with folding beds and sleeping bags, lighting and mosquito nets. 

It would be remiss not to enjoy a seafood dinner when visiting Cheung Chau. While you can’t go wrong with most of the waterfront al fresco restaurants, So Bor Kee is an old favourite among both locals and tourists alike. It serves amazingly fresh seafood cooked in the style of Cantonese and Hunan cuisine and the chefs are super liberal with their seasoning – chilli pepper, garlic, black beans, the works.