5 Hidden Hong Kong Island Attractions – Unseen Islands to Explore!

When you think of Hong Kong, towering skyscrapers, luxury malls, and bustling streets likely come to mind. But beyond the city’s fast-paced energy lies a hidden side—tranquil islands rich in natural beauty and cultural charm. 

If you’re looking for a fresh escape, we’re uncovering 5 secret Hong Kong Island attractions that most travelers overlook. Get ready to experience Hong Kong from a whole new perspective!

If you’re looking to escape the city’s fast pace, Peng Chau is the perfect retreat. Just a 30-minute ferry ride from Hong Kong Island, this small yet fascinating island sits east of Lantau, offering a quiet getaway with a rich industrial history and vibrant street art scene.

Once a thriving industrial hub, Peng Chau was home to matchstick, watchmaking, and textile factories. Today, these sites have been abandoned, leaving behind remnants of the past. One of the most intriguing is the Sing Lei Hap Gei Match Factory, a popular photography spot where decaying structures contrast beautifully with colorful street art.

Highlights of Peng Chau – A Unique Hong Kong Island Attraction
 

• ● Hike to Finger Hill - The island’s highest point, offering breathtaking views of nearby islands and Hong Kong’s coastline.
• ● Visit Lung Mo Temple - A sacred site dedicated to Lung Mo, the sea goddess, believed to bless visitors with love and fertility.
• ● Explore Fook Yuen Leather Factory - A former leather factory turned vibrant street art hotspot.
• ● Try the Famous Shrimp Toast at Kee Sum Cafe - Known for serving Hong Kong’s best shrimp toast, this charming eatery prepares it using a time-honored recipe. Pair it with matcha red bean ice or bubble tea for the perfect local treat.

Just a short ferry ride from the city, Lamma Island offers a refreshing escape with its laid-back fishing villages, scenic trails, and fresh seafood. As the third-largest island in Hong Kong, it remains true to its rural charm while embracing a mix of Eastern and Western influences, making it one of the most unique Hong Kong Island places to visit.

With a deep-rooted fishing culture, Lamma is home to traditional villages where wooden boats line the shores, and seafood markets bustle with daily catches. The island’s peaceful atmosphere, cultural heritage, and stunning landscapes make it a perfect getaway.

Highlights of Lamma – A Unique Hong Kong Island Attraction
 

• ● Hike the Lamma Island Family Trail - A scenic 5 km trail connecting Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan, offering breathtaking coastal views and lush greenery.
• ● Visit Tin Hau Temple - A sacred site dedicated to Tin Hau, the sea goddess, who is believed to protect fishermen and bless travelers.
• ● Explore Lamma Winds - Home to Hong Kong’s first wind turbine, this spot offers insight into renewable energy and sustainability.
• ● Savor Fresh Seafood at Sok Kwu Wan - A fishing village known for its waterfront seafood restaurants, serving Cantonese-style dishes made with the freshest catch.
• ● Stroll Through Yung Shue Wan Village - The island’s cultural hub, filled with international cafés, artisan shops, and local crafts, blending island life with a cosmopolitan touch.

Nestled at the southernmost tip of Hong Kong, Po Toi is a rugged granite island known for its dramatic rock formations and deep historical roots. Shaped by wind and waves over centuries, its surreal landscapes make it one of the most fascinating places to visit in Hong Kong Island, especially for nature lovers and photographers.

The island is home to 3,000-year-old Bronze Age rock carvings, a rare cultural treasure in Hong Kong. Once a bustling fishing village with over 1,000 residents, Po Toi is now inhabited by only a handful of families, preserving a way of life seldom seen in modern Hong Kong.

For those seeking a remote hiking escape, stunning coastal views, and a glimpse into history, Po Toi is a must-visit Hong Kong Island attraction.

Highlights of Po Toi – A Unique Hong Kong Island Attraction 
 

• ● Hike Scenic Trails - Three trails wind through the island, offering panoramic views of the South China Sea and unspoiled nature.
• ● Discover Ancient Rock Carvings - Marvel at 3,000-year-old carvings, some of the oldest known in Hong Kong.
• ● Explore Unique Rock Formations - Capture incredible photos of naturally sculpted stones like Conch Rock, Hand Rock, and Tortoise Rock.
• ● Watch the Sunset at Nam Kok Tsui Lighthouse - The island’s most breathtaking viewpoint, offering sweeping sunset views over Lantau Island.
• ● Try Po Toi’s Famous Dried Seaweed - A local specialty, this sun-dried seaweed is a key ingredient in Cantonese cuisine.

Tucked away in Sai Kung, Yim Tin Tsai is a small island with a rich history and a unique cultural charm. Once home to a thriving Hakka Catholic community, this once-abandoned island has been revitalized into a living museum, attracting visitors interested in history, heritage, and nature.

Nearly 300 years ago, Hakka settlers established a Catholic village here, sustaining themselves through salt farming. However, by the 1960s, the population had dwindled, leaving the island abandoned. Today, Yim Tin Tsai has been transformed into a cultural attraction, with two UNESCO-recognized sites: the centuries-old St. Joseph’s Chapel and the restored salt pans.

For those seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience, Yim Tin Tsai is one of the most fascinating Hong Kong Island attractions, offering a glimpse into Hong Kong’s lesser-known past.
 

Highlights of Yim Tin Tsai – A Unique Hong Kong Island Attraction
 

• ● Visit St. Joseph’s Chapel - A beautifully restored Catholic church, awarded the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation. Inside, a small exhibition tells the island’s history.
• ● Explore the Abandoned Village - Walk through old Hakka-style houses left untouched for decades, offering a nostalgic glimpse into the island’s past.
• ● Discover the Salt Pans - Once the island’s economic backbone, these traditional salt pans have been restored, offering a hands-on learning experience about salt production and its significance.
• ● Hike to a Scenic Viewpoint - A short hiking trail leads to a panoramic lookout over Yim Tin Tsai, the surrounding islets, and Sai Kung’s coastline.
• ● Try Salt-Based Local Products - On weekends, visitors can buy handcrafted salt-infused products, such as herbal salts, scrubs, and locally made snacks.

Located in the northeasternmost part of Hong Kong, Tung Ping Chau is the most remote island in the region, sitting closer to mainland China than to Hong Kong itself. Nestled within Mirs Bay Marine Park, this secluded island has remained untouched by commercial development, making it a perfect getaway for those seeking tranquility and unspoiled nature.

What makes Tung Ping Chau truly unique is its geological significance. The island is composed of Hong Kong’s oldest sedimentary rock, dating back over 400 million years. Its layered rock formations create a striking landscape that looks almost otherworldly. Once home to over 3,000 residents, the island is now mostly abandoned, leaving behind old village ruins and an ancient temple that whispers stories of the past.

For adventure seekers and nature lovers, Tung Ping Chau is one of the most fascinating Hong Kong Island attractions, offering dramatic coastal scenery and a glimpse into the region’s geological history.

Highlights of Tung Ping Chau – A Unique Hong Kong Island Attraction
 

• ● Kang Lau Shek - The island’s most famous landmark, featuring thinly layered rock formations that look like the pages of an ancient book. Nearby rock pools are teeming with marine life, making it a great spot for photography and exploration.
• ● Cham Keng Chau - A breathtaking viewpoint where wind and waves have carved narrow sea passages into the rock, creating dramatic natural walkways with ever-changing ocean views.
• ● Abandoned Village and Ancient Temple - Once home to a bustling fishing community, Tung Ping Chau still holds remnants of its past, with deserted homes and a centuries-old temple standing as echoes of history.
• ● Tai Tong Wan Village – A small seaside village where you can enjoy fresh local seafood. Signature dishes include fried sea urchin rice, grilled cockles, and stir-fried squid with chili, known for its bold flavors and freshness.

Forget the crowded streets and towering skyscrapers—Hong Kong Island attractions go far beyond the city. Step off the beaten path and explore five hidden islands, where breathtaking nature, rich traditions, and a slower pace of life await. Beyond offering a fresh travel experience, visiting these lesser-known spots supports local communities and promotes sustainable tourism.

Next time you’re in Hong Kong, venture beyond the usual sights and uncover its hidden beauty—sometimes, the most incredible places are the ones few have explored!

Ready for an off-the-grid adventure? Book your flights, accommodations, activities, and car rentals with Gother, and start your journey today!