Overview & fast facts
Tung Lung Chau offers a rich and varied history, starting with its very name. Formerly penned Nam Tong Island, Tung Lung Chau is located off of the Clear Water Bay Peninsula and is a beautiful spot for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities. It is also home to a seventeenth-century fort, called the Tung Lung Fort, and ancient rock carvings.
Both Tung Lung Fort and the ancient rock carvings are declared monuments of Hong Kong. In fact, the rock carvings are one of the largest prehistoric carvings in all of Hong Kong! Not to be outdone, the equally impressive Tung Lung Fort was built 300 years ago, around 1719 to 1724, and is believed to be part of a maritime defence system to ward off pirates. Its strategic location on the northeastern part of the island overlooks Joss House Bay, making it impossible for vessels to come or go without being seen.
It is also home to Hung Shing Temple, which was built more recently in 1931, as well as two small restaurants, South Garden Store and Tung Lung Chau Holiday Store, where visitors may make a pit stop for some light refreshments, such as noodles and drinks.
Spanning 242 square kilometres, Tung Lung Chau offers a wide range of terrains and stunning views, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to camp or climb the crags, such as the Technical Wall and the Sea Gully Wall. Near the campsite, there are barbecue pits, tables, and benches, as well as some dry pit toilets.
Distance: 8.5 kilometres
Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced
Total ascent: 232 metres
Total time: 4 hours approx.