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've written about both Lamma and Cheung Chau. Today I'd like to look at Peng Chau, one of the smaller inhabited Islands.
Peng Chau, noted for its laid back, rural lifestyle, is a tiny island situated 8km west of Hong Kong Island and a short distance from the southern coastline of Lantau Island. Its population is over 6,000 which makes this kilometer long island fairly densely populated. It has similarities to its neighbor Cheung Chau but has far fewer activities available.
One of the first things you will notice is that there are no automobiles, just bicycles and motorized carts. You can pretty much hike around the island in a little over an hour. Luckily there aren't many hills, the highest being Finger Hill at 95 meters, which does offer some fine views of all of Peng Chau plus parts of Lantau, Cheung Chau, and Hong Kong Islands.
A suggested hiking route circumnavigating the island can be found on the Discover Hong Kong web-site. Go to Page 13 of the Outlying Islands PDF File.
If you don't feel like hiking, you can wander the narrow streets close to the pier where you will find a covered market and many shops, restaurants and a few temples, particularly the Tin Hau and Kam Fa temples. There is a paved promenade nearby on the Southwest side of the island.
If swimming or sunbathing is your thing, try Tung Wan which is very nice sandy beach directly across the island from the Ferry pier. If a rural stroll interests you, there are some small farms and a larger organic farm run by the Green Peng Chau Association near Tai Wo in the south-east quadrant of the island.
You can also explore some archeological sites, visit a defunct match factory, once one of the largest in the world, check out the eight other temples or explore the bio-diversity either alone or guided by Green Peng Chau Docents. Check their web-site.
To visit Peng Chau, check the First Ferry schedules or catch a Kaito (pronounced "kai-do"), a type of small, motorized ferry, from Cheng Chau or Discovery Bay on Lantau Island.
Enjoy!