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Cheung Chau

A Car-Free Fishing Island, the Bun Festival and a Pirate's Cave

Plan this trip
1 dayIdeal stay₹6,100From / night₹2,440Food / dayFreeEntry

A small, crowded, car-free island of fishing families, about 35-55 minutes by ferry from Central Pier 5. Bicycles and handcarts fill the lanes between the harbour, where seafood is sold off the boats, and the beaches of Tung Wan and Kwun Yam Wan on the other side of the island's narrow waist. The Pak Tai Temple dates from 1783 and is the centre of the Bun Festival in April or May, when the island eats vegetarian for the festival days, floats parade through the lanes and climbers race up towers of buns at midnight. Walks lead south to Cheung Po Tsai's pirate cave and along the rocks of the Mini Great Wall. Weekends are busy with day-trippers. There are a handful of small hotels and holiday flats near the pier and Tung Wan, dearer at weekends; most visitors come for the day.

Highlights

  • Ferry ride from Central past the islands
  • Pak Tai Temple
  • Bun Festival (April or May)
  • Cycling the car-free lanes
  • Cheung Po Tsai's pirate cave
  • Mini Great Wall rock walk
  • Tung Wan Beach
  • Mango mochi and giant fish balls on the Praya

Things to do

  • Ferry from Central and a walk round the harbour and the PrayaMorning · 2h
  • Pak Tai TempleMorning · 1h
  • Cycle or walk to Cheung Po Tsai CaveAfternoon · 2h 30m
  • Mini Great Wall trail along the east coastAfternoon · 2h
  • Afternoon on Tung Wan BeachAfternoon · 2h
  • Dinner on the waterfront as the ferries come inEvening · 1h 30m

Tours & tickets

Tours & tickets in Cheung Chauvia GetYourGuideTours & tickets in Cheung Chauvia Klook

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When to go

Best time: October – December

Worth knowing

Typhoon Season

July to September is the height of the typhoon season. When the Hong Kong Observatory raises the No. 8 signal, almost everything shuts for hours to a day or two: ferries stop, the cable car, Disneyland, Ocean Park and most shops close, buses thin out, the MTR runs a reduced service and flights are cancelled. Watch the Observatory's app, keep a spare day before your flight home, and book refundable rooms and tickets.

Heads up

Typhoon Risk

Typhoons can reach Hong Kong from May to November, less often than in high summer. If the No. 8 signal goes up, ferries, theme parks and most sights close until it comes down: keep plans flexible and check the Hong Kong Observatory's app.

Worth knowing

Ferries Stop in Storms

Ferries to Cheung Chau stop when the No. 8 typhoon signal is raised, and can be cut back earlier as the wind rises, leaving you on the island. If a typhoon is forecast, come back to Central while the No. 3 signal is up, or skip the island that day.

Heads up

Rainstorms and Summer Heat

From May to September Hong Kong is hot (31-34 °C) and humid, with sudden downpours. Under a black rainstorm warning stay indoors; shops and the MTR keep going, but streets flood. Plan outdoor sights for the morning and keep the air-conditioned museums and malls for the afternoon.

Heads up

Chinese New Year Closures

Over Chinese New Year (6 February 2027) small shops and family restaurants close for a few days, and the theme parks, the cable car and the islands are busy with holiday crowds. Book tickets ahead.

Heads up

Golden Week Crowds

From 1 to 7 October, mainland China's National Day holiday fills Hong Kong with visitors and lifts hotel prices across the city. Markets, ferries and the busiest sights are crowded all week.

Heads up

Bun Festival Crowds

On the Bun Festival's main day (the 8th day of the 4th lunar month, in April or May) the island is packed and the ferries from Central Pier 5 queue for hours. Go early in the morning, expect a long wait to come back after the midnight bun scramble, or book a room on the island months ahead.

  • Cheung Chau Bun Festival — A Taoist festival on Cheung Chau, centred on the Pak Tai Temple. For its days the island eats vegetarian (even the fast-food shops), children in costume ride high on poles above the Piu Sik parade through the lanes, and at midnight climbers race up a tower of buns for the highest one. Hugely popular: ferries from Central queue for hours.