Tung Lung Chau

The cliffs on the east coast of Tung Lung Chau.

Tung Lung Fort.

Tung Lung Chau, previously known as Nam Tong Island or Nam Fat Tong<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> is an island located off the tip of the Clear Water Bay Peninsula in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It is also referred to by Hong Kong people as Tung Lung To or Tung Lung Island (Template:Zh). The island is largely uninhabited. Administratively, it belongs to Sai Kung District.

Geography

The island has an area of Template:Convert.<ref>Survey and Mapping Office, Lands Department: Hong Kong geographic data sheet</ref> It forms the eastern boundary of Tathong Channel, which leads into Victoria Harbour through Lei Yue Mun. The northern tip of Tung Lung Chau is separated from the southern tip of Clear Water Bay Peninsula by the narrow Fat Tong Mun Channel (Template:Zh). The highest point of the island is at Nam Tong Peak (Template:Zh), at an altitude of 250m.

History

Emperor Duanzong of the Southern Song dynasty once stayed at Kwu Tap (Template:Zh) on the island.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Hong Kong's Eastern Straits as surveyed in 1845.

The name of Tung Lung Chau (or Tunglung Island) was seen in maps since around 1845, superseding the once more prevalent romanization of Tam-too. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sights

Tung Lung Chau is the site of Tung Lung Fort, which was constructed 300 years ago and recently refurbished.

A prehistoric stone carving can also be found on the island. Measuring 180 cm by 240 cm, it is the largest ancient rock carving in Hong Kong. The stone carving was mentioned in the 1819 Gazetteer of Xin'an County.<ref>Antiquities and Monuments Office. Rock Carving on Tung Lung Island</ref>

There is a Hung Shing Temple on the island, at a location called Nam Tong (Template:Zh). The temple was built before 1931. Inside the temple, a huge rock, called 'Holy Rock' (Template:Zh) by the worshipers, is protruding from the rear wall of the right chamber.<ref>Antiquities Advisory Board. Historic Building Appraisal. Hung Shing Temple, Tung Lung Chau</ref>

A World War II Japanese small gun emplacement was located near Tathong Point (Template:Zh, Nam Tong Mei), probably to guard Tathong Channel. It is believed that the existence of this facility may have been the reason why the Allies bombed the island.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Rock climbing

Tung Lung houses some of the best sport climbing venues in Hong Kong.<ref>Hong Kong Climbing</ref>

• Technical Wall
• Sea Gully Wall

Conservation

Tung Lung Fort Special Area was designated as a Special Area under country parks in 1979 and covers 3 hectares. The area contains the fort and a campsite.<ref name="Tung Lung Chau Campsite">Tung Lung Chau Campsite</ref><ref>Country Parks & Special Areas</ref>

Both Tung Lung Fort and the stone carving are declared monuments of Hong Kong.

Transportation

Tung Lung Chau Public Pier.

On weekends, kai-to service is available from Sam Ka Tsuen, near Lei Yue Mun (Kowloon side) and is operated by Coral Sea Ferry. The round-trip fare for the 30-minute journey was HK$45 in May 2020.

A service from Sai Wan Ho was operated by Lam Kee Ferry until 26 January 2014 and, after a hiatus of eight months, another operator resumed the service for a round-trip fare of HK$55 for adults and HK$40 for children aged 3 and above.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

• Islands of Hong Kong
• March of Tung Lung To

External links

• Pictures of the Hung Shing Temple