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Tap Mun Chau is a great location for your photography tour, as it is one of the remoter corners of Hong Kong.
My favourite island has two names, both of which have merit. It also goes by the name of Grass Island and it is indeed grassy, which is wonderful to sit on - as long as you can find a gap between the plentiful cowpats - as you gaze at some of Hong Kong's prettiest coastline. But Tap Mun Chau wins hands down in terms of poetry. "Tap" means pagoda and "mun" means door, referring to the balanced rocks and rocky outcrops on the island and the coastline across the narrow channel, which form a stone gate to Hong Kong's water from the northeast.
We visit the gloriously ornate Tin Hau temple, which dates back to the 18th century. Apparently, owing to channels dug to the pirates' cave beneath the temple, fishermen could not only pray for safe conditions but guage the wind strength on the the other side of the island from the whistling sounds. While here, I explain the protocol of the temples in Hong Kong.
As we walk around the island we also pass through a large grave site, clearly indicating the island's population was once much greater, about 2,000 at its peak. Today maybe 20 people are in permanent residence.
We return via the New Fishermen's village, the result of a New Zealand missionary's effort to settle the Tanka fisherfolk on terra firma in the 1960s. However well intentioned this may have been, the last thing I can claim - even as a compatriot - is architectural charm. It's a shocker. But funnily enough, it provides some great photo opportunities, as locals dry their catch on any available surface.
Tap Mun is one of Hong Kong's best escapes. It's quiet, pretty and gives an insight into a way of life that has largely disappeared. On weekdays there are very few people on the island. Some fishing folk may be drying their catch, but for the most part folks are playing mahjong or eatting noodles.
Private tour HK$3500
Total tour time 8 hours
Tour starts at 9am in Sai Kung, finishes 5pm in Sai Kung
On arrival at Sai Kung at any one of the three bus terminals you will see the waterfront (1min walk); make your way here and you will see two piers. We meet at the entrance to the shorter of the two. If you use any other form of transport, make your way to the waterfront by the bus terminals, and the pier is right in front of you.
Let me know what area in Hong Kong you are coming from and I will give you the quickest route.
Facilities: Toilets en route, and refreshment stops available. Picnic lunch can be purchased in Sai Kung or we can use one of the local restaurants on the island.
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