Outlying Islands

Cheung Chau (http://www.cheungchaurc.c...) 長洲 has no cars except for some small vehicles used by the emergency services. There is a walking tour available around the island with scenic views and temples; look for the tourist map near the ferry pier. It is best to visit in good weather, if it rains, there's nowhere to wait it out because nearly everything is outside. Famous for its Bun Festival (http://www.cheungchau.org) in early May, this is a festival where people climb up a tower which is covered with buns. Previously it had been abolished because a young man fell off the tower in 1978. However, thanks to the people who live in Cheung Chau, who campaigned for many years, the government allowed this festival to restart in 1995. The Bun festival lasts for five days and the climax is on the third day when participants dress up as historical characters and ride on floats. When children act on the floats, they appear in the air because of their dress. On the last day, at midnight, buns from the tower will be given to the community, bringing them good luck throughout the year. People believe that the more they get, the luckier they are.

events

Birthday of Tin Hau (http://www.cheungchaurc.c...)

Besides Bun Festival, another big festival is the birthday of Tin Hau. Tin Hau is the queen of the heaven. The birthday of Tin Hau is in the Chinese calendar on March 23rd. However, people in Cheung Chau usually celebrate it on the 18th, because in the past, there were no street lights on the island and people couldn't see when they were on their way to the temple during the night time, but a few days earlier meant they could use the moon light to walk to the temple. Now it has become a tradition to celebrate it earlier. During the celebrations, you may see floats, acrobats, lion dancing and effigies of mythical animals.

other activities

Besides particpating in the festivals, tourist can visit different sites, for example the temples and caves.

Tin Hau Temple
Tin Hau, the queen of heaven is the god who receives the most respect from many who live on Cheung Chau, especially those who are fishermen. Tin Hau is revered as the god who protects fisherman. Tin Hau has been respected for many years, and so there are four Tin Hau Temples on the island.
The Cave and Rocks
There is a very famous cave on Cheung Chau which is called Cheung Bo Zai Ton. This cave is named after a local pirate and is located at Sai Bay 西灣. The cave is associated with the fictional story of the priate, Cheung Bo Zai, who supposedly hid his treasure in this cave. Along the same coastline are a number of rocks with different shapes and it is a local tradition to imagine what they resemble.

On Cheung Chau, visitors should also look out for the memorial stone which commemorates a Hong Kong windsurfing athlete, Lee Lai Sa 李麗珊, who won a gold Olympic medal.

Lamma Island
南丫島 Nàahmā dóu is worth seeing for a glimpse of an alternative Hong Kong. Be sure to check out the Western settlement of Yung Shue Wan, the row of seafood restaurants in So Kwu Wan, the small agricultural village of Mo Tat, and the very small Tung O village whose residents appear to always play mahjong. It is an interesting day trip to take the ferry to Yung Shue Wan followed by an easy walk to So Kwu Wan to tuck into some delicous seafood before hopping onto the ferry.
Peng Chau
坪洲 Pìhng Jāu has eight temples, including a Tin Hau temple dating back to 1792 which houses a whale rib. Outside the Tin Hau Temple there is a stone monument warning about pirates. Finger Hill has views of Disneyland and the Tsing Ma Bridge. Peng Chau still retains 60% of its natural seashore. Around the coast there is a diversity of marine life, including Chinese White dolphins.
Po Toi
蒲台 is famous for its rock formations, such as Tortoise Rock, Buddha's Palm Cliff and Monk Rock. There are also some prehistoric carvings.
Soko Islands
索罟群島 are known for the 'rock forest' that surrounds the islands. Tai A Chau also used to have a Vietnamese refugee camp.
Tap Mun
塔門 has a Tin Hau temple built between 1662 and 1721, housing a bronze bell made in 1737, and a very large swordfish bone.
Tung Lung Chau
東龍洲 has historic stone carvings 700 years old and the remains of a fort demolished in 1810. There are also sea caves around the coast.
Tung Ping Chau
東平洲 has a 250 year old temple and deserted villages. The island is famous for its beautiful schist rock formations, that have different colours because of the calcium and magnesium in the schist.
Waglan Island
橫瀾島 is famous for its lighthouse built in 1893.
Ninepin islands
果洲群島 are known for the cliffs and caves around the islands.