There is much written and available about the tourist attractions of Hong Kong. Just pick up any guidebook. My role is to write about those things you won't find in most guidebooks. The outer islands, especially the smaller ones, are rarely mentioned. I'd like to remedy that deficiency here.
There are more than 260 islands within Hong Kong Territory. More than 220 of them are uninhabited. Most of them are accessible only by private boat - some have walking trails, most do not, some have restaurants, most do not. Locals have been known to discourage visitors, although I have never personally had a problem.
I plan to write about those islands that are more easily accessible in a series of articles over the next few weeks.
I recently wrote an article about Cheung Chau's Bun Festival which is perhaps what the island is most noted for. You can find it at Bun Fun on Buddha's Birthday.
Cheung Chau is not the best known of Hong Kong's Islands perhaps because it has few expat residents and no western restaurants. Cheung Chau has an atmosphere that I imagine is somewhat like that which existed 50 or 60 years ago. Lots of incense sticks burning in the temples, parks filled with card games, the clatter of mah-jongg tiles from the rear of shops or houses opened up to try to catch a stray breeze and people chatting and perhaps gossiping with one another.
The island is actually the most densely populated in the Territory with more than 20,000 residents but it still has its private places which you can access if you choose to follow one or more of the many trails available. The narrow streets of the major village are lined with traditional shops featuring recently butchered pigs and soon to be butchered live chickens, cheap dai pai dongs (noodle stalls) soon to be extinct if the government has its way, Chinese apothecaries offering herbs and remedies and the older people sitting on benches keeping an eye on the youngsters left in their care. It's far less idyllic on weekends, when the population doubles, so plan a week day visit if you can.
One possible hike is, after exiting the Ferry, to go past the Windsurfing Center to Kwun Yam Beach. The path up from the beach leads into a small wooded valley. Follow the signs pointing left to the "Mini Great Wall", climb the steps to the headland where you will enjoy some incredible vistas. Keep going up to the pavilion at the top and marvel at the view of Hong Kong and Lamma Islands and if you are lucky, on a clear day, you can see Kowloon and the New Territories.
From here you can continue to circumnavigate the Island, seeing interesting rock formations, many temples, an historical statue of the Virgin Mary left by missionaries, and private houses. Eventually you will end up back at the Public Pier. You will find a map of possible hiking choices on the Discover Hong Kong Web-site. Go to page 4 of the Outlying Islands PDI file.
There are inexpensive guest houses near the many beaches. Wind-surfing is very popular here and Hong Kong's only Olympic Gold Medal winner San-san was raised on Cheng Chau. There are also dozens of seafood restaurants on the waterfront promenade. They rival the eateries on Lamma Island and in Sai Kung in everything but size.
I mentioned the Bun Festival earlier in this article. Point is, if you can arrange it, attend the Festival. It will be held sometime in the Spring - exact date to be announced.
Cheung Chau is easy to get to from the Central Outer Island Ferry Terminals, Pier Five. Operated by First Ferry, the fast boats take about 30 minutes, the slow ones about 15 minutes longer. It's worth a full-day trip. Take the opportunity to leave the crowds of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon behind and take in some sights and activities most tourists never see.
For more information check out the Cheung Chau HK website which has hundreds of entries from people reporting on what's happening on the Island including personal restaurant ratings, hotel and guesthouse ratings and the latest on activities and events.