Fishing Villages in Hong Kong 2025

Visit the floating homes of the indigenous Tanka people

Best time: late May–June | October–December | all year round

The Tanka people, ethnic to Southern China and Hong Kong, traditionally dwell in the boats and are sometimes called "sea gypsies". Many generations grew up in floating villages and have preserved their traditional lifestyle. Some still live in their boats and maintain the livelihood of fishing.

Best Time to Visit Floating Villages

Generally, the best time to visit Hong Kong's fishing villages is after the rainy season from October to December when the villages are truly floating, and the weather is the most delightful. However, you can come at any other time of year. Additionally, fishing villages vibrantly celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, commemorating it with various boat parades, market celebrations, and festivities. This makes May or June an excellent time to explore the villages.

Tai O Fishing Village

Tai O is one of the few remaining Chinese fishing villages. It is located on Lantau Island and has picturesque stilt houses built on shallow water. Hop on a boat excursion to discover this unique place from a vantage point. The village consists of numerous buildings set on wooden poles and surrounded by a myriad of colorful boats and ships. Also, visit the vibrant Tai O market for fresh or dried seafood and a famous shrimp paste.

Some of the best snapshots of the village can be taken from the local bridges, including Tai Chung Bridge and Sun Ki Bridge. There, you can witness the beauty of the village against the scenic backdrop of the mountains. In late June, the village hosts Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade, which is a great occasion to visit the area. The best time to visit Tai O is on a weekday since the walkaways get crowded on the weekends, with both local and foreign tourists wanting to get a glimpse of the village's way of life.

Aberdeen Fishing Village

Traditional fishing village stubbornly thrives in the Aberdeen Harbor right next to the modern high-rise buildings and yachts. A sampan ride is the best way to take a closer look at the ancient culture and also spot some pink dolphins. You'll find plenty of Sampan Ride Stations along the Aberdeen Promenade. Visiting the local fishing market is also a must.

Aberdeen 1773 offers guided tours to the fishing village, covering some of the most important landmarks in the area, including the famous floating restaurant, Hung Shin Temple, and many other places. Tours cost around $175-240 Hong Kong dollars for adults and around $145-200 Hong Kong dollars for children and elderly.

Stanley Fishing Village

Another tranquil place to view fishing boats and rest from the city is located on the south of Hong Kong Island. Stanley used to be a fishing village before tourism turned it into a market town. The area offers less authenticity than Tai O or Aberdeen but still provides an alternative to the concrete jungle. Additionally, here you can taste delicious steamed mussels, grilled chicken, Indonesian fried rice, and many other mouthwatering dishes. Consider visiting Stanley during the Dragon Boat Festival in late June. The energetic and colorful event is a favorite celebration held in the area. You can easily get to the area by taking bus 6.