After spending the morning in Ngong Ping, home of the majestic Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, we decided to continue our Lantau Island adventure with a visit to Tai O Fishing Village—a charming coastal community that feels worlds away from Hong Kong’s bustling city life.

We hopped on a local bus from Ngong Ping, which took us through winding roads and scenic mountain views before descending into the quiet waterfront village of Tai O. The ride was short and easy, and before we knew it, we were stepping into what many call the “Venice of Hong Kong.”

Tai O is one of the few remaining traditional fishing villages in the region. It’s famous for its stilt houses—simple wooden homes built over the water, where generations of Tanka fisherfolk have lived.

We strolled through the local market, where vendors sold everything from dried squid and fish skins to herbal teas and grilled cuttlefish on sticks. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed.

One of the highlights was the boat tour around the stilt houses and into the open waters. Although we weren’t lucky enough to spot the elusive pink dolphins that sometimes appear in the area, the peaceful ride gave us a great view of the unique waterfront homes and village life from the water.