How do I get to Cheung Chau from Hong Kong?

Catch the ferry from Central Pier 5. The slow ferry takes 55 minutes and costs HKD 38; the fast ferry takes 35 minutes and costs HKD 50. Both accept Octopus card. Ferries run throughout the day. Cheung Chau has no private cars — getting around is by foot, rented bicycle, or the island's hand-pulled delivery trolleys.

Cheung Chau Island Hong Kong Guide 2026


Where	Southwest of Hong Kong Island, 35–55 min by ferry from Central Pier 5
Cost	HKD 38–50 return ferry; food and bicycle rental from HKD 15
Time needed	Full day (6–8 hours including ferry)
Getting there	New World First Ferry from Central Pier 5, Octopus accepted
Best for	Beaches, street food, families, the Bun Festival (April/May)

Why Cheung Chau surprises most visitors

Hong Kong is a city defined by density, by motion, by the layering of a hundred things into any available space. Cheung Chau is the opposite of all of that, and reaching it takes 35-55 minutes by ferry from Central.

The island is shaped like a cartoon dumbbell: two hilly headlands connected by a narrow strip of reclaimed land where the main village sits, facing a harbour full of fishing boats and small pleasure craft. There are no private cars. The streets of the village are narrow enough that a handcart is the widest practical vehicle. The beach is a short walk from the ferry pier. The street food stalls start at HKD 15 a stick. The pace is set by the tide and the ferry schedule, not by the MTR.

Cheung Chau is popular — it draws Hong Kong families on weekends who come for the beach and the fish balls, and visitors who arrive expecting a tourist attraction and find instead a functioning fishing community with a pleasant beach attached. It is one of the islands that most visitors, once they have been, return to rather than ticking off a list.

Getting there: the ferry from Central Pier 5

All Cheung Chau ferries depart from Central Pier 5, operated by New World First Ferry. Two service types:

Slow ferry: Approximately 55-60 minutes, HKD 38 adult weekday, slightly higher on weekends and public holidays. The slow ferry is a large, comfortable vessel with air-conditioned indoor seating and an outdoor deck. The journey gives good views of the outer harbour and the gradually receding city skyline. The outdoor deck is pleasant in the morning and evening but exposed to sun at midday.

Fast ferry: Approximately 35 minutes, HKD 50 adult. The fast ferry uses smaller, higher-speed vessels with enclosed seating. The time saving is real (20 minutes), but the ride is noisier and less scenic. Worth it if you are travelling in the heat of the day or want to maximise time on the island.

Octopus card is accepted at both the turnstile and the handheld reader for cash top-ups. If you have an Octopus card (which you should — see the Octopus card guide), boarding is seamless.

Frequency: Ferries run throughout the day from approximately 6:30am to 11:30pm (last sailing from Cheung Chau back to Central is usually around 11:30pm on weekdays, with a 12:30am sailing on weekend nights). Check New World First Ferry’s website or the CityMapper app for the current timetable before your visit.

Return timing: The 5-7pm sailings on weekends are the most crowded. If your day allows, aim for an earlier or later return — the 7:30pm and 8pm ferries are often nearly empty.

Arriving at Cheung Chau: the first 15 minutes

The ferry docks at the main pier on the western side of the island’s waist. The first thing you notice stepping off is the absence of engine noise — no cars, no motorcycles, just the clatter of handcarts, the sound of the morning market, and whatever music the nearest tea house is playing.

The main promenade runs along the harbour waterfront from the pier northward to the fish market and southward toward the southern residential streets. The village market — covered stalls selling vegetables, fresh fish, and live produce — is immediately behind the waterfront, one block inland.

Bicycle rental shops are clustered near the ferry pier exit, charging HKD 50-80/day for standard bicycles, HKD 80-120 for a tandem. Helmets are not required by law but can be borrowed. Cycling on Cheung Chau is pleasant along the flatter sections of the island; the hills in the north and south headlands make the bicycle less useful for the outlying sights but fast and fun for the waterfront promenade.

Tung Wan Beach

A 10-minute walk east through the village leads to Tung Wan Beach — the main beach, facing the eastern open sea toward the Soko Islands. Tung Wan is wide (about 300 metres), with fairly clean sand and gentle waves that are calm in summer and more energetic in autumn. Lifeguards operate from April 1 to October 31.

Beach facilities include: changing rooms, showers, toilets, and a small refreshment kiosk open in the warmer months. Sun lounger rental is not widely available (unlike Thai or Mediterranean beaches) — bring your own towel and find your spot on the sand.

The beach gets busy on summer weekend afternoons, mostly with Hong Kong families. Arriving before 11am or after 4pm gives you more space. On weekday mornings in July and August, Tung Wan is remarkably uncrowded for a beach this close to a major city.

Kwun Yam Wan and Italian Beach

West of the village, past the Pak Tai Temple, Kwun Yam Wan is a smaller, crescent-shaped bay popular with windsurfers (the Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre is based here). The beach is rockier than Tung Wan but more sheltered and very quiet on weekdays.

Italian Beach (officially Sai Wan Beach) is the most secluded option — a 20-25 minute walk south from the main village through a residential lane and then a short path. The beach is small, uncrowded, and shaded by trees at the edges. The name apparently comes from the shape of the bay rather than any Italian connection. It is the beach to recommend to travellers who want to escape the small crowd that even the quieter Kwun Yam Wan can attract on weekends.

Pak Tai Temple

The Pak Tai Temple is Cheung Chau’s most significant religious site — a Taoist temple dedicated to the northern deity Pak Tai, who is believed to have saved the island from a plague in the mid-18th century (the origin story of the Bun Festival). The current temple dates to 1783 and is in active use.

Entry is free. The temple is colourful and aromatic with burning incense, and its main hall contains a 1,000-year-old iron statue of Pak Tai that was reportedly found in the sea. On the eighth day of the fourth lunar month (the main festival day), the temple becomes the centre of the island’s most dramatic annual event.

The temple is about a 10-minute walk west of the ferry pier along the waterfront promenade.

Cheung Po Tsai Cave

On the southwestern headland of the island, a 30-40 minute walk south from the village, Cheung Po Tsai Cave is a narrow rock passage in the cliff face associated with the pirate Cheung Po Tsai (1786-1822). Cheung Po Tsai commanded a confederation of pirate fleets in the South China Sea that at its peak reportedly comprised 1,800 vessels and 80,000 men — one of the largest pirate operations in recorded history. His fleet used Cheung Chau as a base, and the cave is said to have been his personal hiding place for treasure and himself.

The cave entrance is narrow — one person at a time — and requires crouching to enter the first section. A torch or phone flashlight is useful inside. The cave is not long (maybe 20-30 metres) and opens into a small chamber. Entry is free.

Getting there: walk south from the village through the residential streets and follow the signs for “Cheung Po Tsai Cave” — these appear at intervals once you pass the main market area. The walk passes through a pleasant southern residential section of the island with harbour views.

Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre and Lee Lai Shan

Near Kwun Yam Wan, the Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre is where Lee Lai Shan trained before winning a gold medal in windsurfing at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics — Hong Kong’s only Olympic gold. A small monument near the water marks the achievement, and the centre still runs windsurfing lessons and rentals for visitors. Equipment hire starts at around HKD 150-200/hour; lessons are available for beginners.

Lee Lai Shan’s win was significant beyond the sport — it came just before the 1997 handover and was widely celebrated as a moment of Hong Kong identity and pride. The windsurfing centre is a modest but meaningful piece of local history.

Street food on Tung Wan Road

The cluster of stalls along Tung Wan Road between the ferry pier and the beach is the primary eating experience on Cheung Chau and one of the most enjoyable street food experiences in Hong Kong.

Fish balls (yu daan): Bouncy, pale spheres of fish paste on bamboo skewers, available boiled (in light broth) or fried. HKD 15-25 for a portion of 4-5.

Curry squid: Tender squid in a fragrant curry sauce, sold in small paper cups. HKD 20-30.

Siu mai: Open-topped steamed dumplings, slightly more rustic than the dim sum versions, sold from steamers on the street. HKD 15-25 for five or six.

Shaved ice with mango: The Cheung Chau version is often described as Hong Kong’s best — a mountain of shaved ice over fresh mango, mango sauce, and coconut milk, for HKD 35-50. Most stalls along the road offer their own version; the lines indicate which are favoured by locals.

Beef rice noodle rolls (cheung fun): Broad rice noodles wrapped around beef and served with soy sauce, available from push-carts near the pier. HKD 20-30.

The Bun Festival — worth planning a trip around

The Cheung Chau Bun Festival (Tai Ping Ching Chiu) is one of Hong Kong’s most spectacular annual events. It occurs in late April or May on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month — the exact date varies each year and is announced by the Cheung Chau Rural Committee in advance.

The festival runs for five days. The main sights:

Bun towers: Three bamboo towers roughly 14 metres tall, built in front of Pak Tai Temple, covered in thousands of pink-and-white lucky buns made of steamed dough. The towers are installed about a week before the festival and dismantled after.

Parade of floats: Children dressed as deities and historical figures appear to float above the street — they are actually supported by hidden frameworks held by adults, which makes the illusion striking even up close.

Bun scrambling competition: At midnight on the final festival day, competitors race to climb the bun towers and grab as many lucky buns as possible from as high as possible. Higher buns score more points. This part of the festival was revived in 2005 after a tower collapse ended the original competition in 1978.

The island reaches capacity during the Bun Festival. Ferries are packed and ferry operators add special sailings; book early. Arriving before 9am on the parade days gives the best experience with manageable crowds.

Where to stay if you extend past a day trip

Cheung Chau’s guesthouses cluster in the village near the ferry pier and along the waterfront promenade, with a smaller number near Tung Wan Beach. Simple guesthouse rooms run HKD 400-800 per night; a handful of boutique-style options near the beach charge more for a sea view. Booking ahead matters most around the Bun Festival and summer weekends, when the island’s limited rooms sell out well before the day itself. Staying overnight also means you can catch sunrise over Tung Wan or a quiet early walk to the Cheung Po Tsai Cave before the day-trip crowds arrive on the mid-morning ferries.

For travellers weighing whether to base themselves on an outlying island at all rather than in the city, the outlying islands guide covers the trade-offs — generally slower evenings and fewer dining options, in exchange for a genuinely different pace than Central or Tsim Sha Tsui.

Organised day tours of Cheung Chau

This guided walking day tour of Cheung Chau covers the pirate cave, Pak Tai Temple, Tung Wan Beach, and the street food stalls with a local guide who explains the island’s history and culture in context.Check availability

Full day itinerary

9:00am: Catch fast ferry from Central Pier 5
9:35am: Arrive Cheung Chau, rent bicycle
9:45am: Ride to Kwun Yam Wan and Windsurfing Centre
10:30am: Walk south to Cheung Po Tsai Cave
11:30am: Return north through village, visit Pak Tai Temple
12:00pm: Street food lunch on Tung Wan Road
1:00pm: Beach time at Tung Wan (swim in summer)
2:30pm: Explore village lanes, shop for local goods
3:30pm: Italian Beach walk (optional 50-min round trip)
4:30pm: Return bicycle, wait at pier
5:00pm: Slow ferry back to Central

Practical tips

What to bring: Sunscreen (the beach has limited shade), swimwear and towel in summer, cash for street stalls (most are cash-only), and comfortable walking shoes or sandals. The island is very walkable in trainers.

ATMs: There are ATMs on Cheung Chau near the main ferry pier area — easier to access than on Lamma or the smaller islands. Still, withdrawing in Hong Kong before you go is cleaner.

Children: Cheung Chau is genuinely excellent for families. The beach, bicycles, fish balls, pirate cave, and the novelty of no cars makes it a child-scale adventure. Even the festival is manageable with young children during the daytime events.

Weather: The beach is best June to early October for swimming. November to March is cooler and clear — good for walking the trails, less good for the beach. Typhoon season (May-October) occasionally disrupts ferry services.

For the complete island ferry overview including inter-island routes, see the Hong Kong island ferries guide.

Best time to visit, month by month

Months	Conditions	Notes
Jun–early Oct	Warm sea, 27–32°C	Best for swimming; busiest on weekends; occasional typhoon disruption
Apr–May	Mild, 22–27°C	Bun Festival period — spectacular but very crowded, book ferries early
Nov–Mar	Cool, 15–21°C	Best for the pirate cave walk and hiking; too cool for most swimmers

For a broader comparison of Hong Kong’s outlying islands and which suits your trip, see the outlying islands guide and the best day trips from Hong Kong guide.

Is Cheung Chau worth it?

Mistakes to avoid

Taking the 5–7pm ferry back on a weekend — this is the most crowded sailing of the day; aim for an earlier or later return instead.
Skipping bicycle rental — the island’s hills make some sights slow on foot; a HKD 50–80 bicycle covers the flatter sections far faster.
Not bringing cash — most street food stalls on Tung Wan Road are cash-only, and ATMs, while present, are easiest to use before you leave Hong Kong.
Visiting during the Bun Festival without booking ahead — ferries add capacity but still sell out; book accommodation and sailings weeks in advance if you want to see the bun-scrambling competition.
Assuming Cheung Chau is a quick half-day trip — the ferry alone takes 35–55 minutes each way; treat it as a full day out, as in the outlying islands guide.

Frequently asked questions about Cheung Chau guide — beaches, pirate caves, and Hong Kong's car-free island

How far is Cheung Chau from Hong Kong?

The slow ferry from Central Pier 5 takes 55 minutes; the fast ferry takes 35 minutes. Cheung Chau is located southwest of Hong Kong Island in the outer harbour, roughly 10km as the crow flies from Central.

Are there really no cars on Cheung Chau?

Correct — no private vehicles are permitted on the island. Emergency and utility vehicles exist, but you will not encounter any car traffic. Getting around is on foot or by bicycle (rentals available near the ferry pier for HKD 50-80/day), which is central to the island's appeal.

What is the Cheung Chau Bun Festival?

The Bun Festival (Tai Ping Ching Chiu) is a Taoist festival held annually, typically in April or May on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month. The highlights are giant bamboo towers covered in steamed sweet buns, a parade of children dressed as deities and appearing to float in mid-air, and a competitive bun-scrambling race up the towers on the final night. It is one of Hong Kong's most spectacular annual events.

What beaches does Cheung Chau have?

Tung Wan Beach on the eastern coast is the main beach — wide, sandy, with lifeguards from April to October and changing facilities. Kwun Yam Wan on the western side is smaller and quieter. Italian Beach to the south is the most secluded option, accessible by a 25-minute walk from the village. The water is warm enough for comfortable swimming from June to early October.

Where is the Cheung Po Tsai Cave?

On the southwestern headland of Cheung Chau, accessible by a 30-40 minute walk from the village through the southern residential area. The cave is a narrow rock passage associated with the 19th-century pirate Cheung Po Tsai, whose fleet was reportedly one of the largest in history. Entry is free; bring a torch if you want to go further than the first chamber.

What should I eat on Cheung Chau?

Street stalls along Tung Wan Road are the priority — fish balls on sticks, curry squid, siu mai, and shaved mango ice. Typhoon Shelter Fried Rice is a Cheung Chau specialty available at the sit-down restaurants. Kwan Ying Seafood near the pier is the main seafood option. Budget HKD 80-150 for a satisfying lunch from stall food.

Is Cheung Chau good for families with children?

It is one of the best. The absence of cars makes it immediately relaxed for families with young children. Hiring bicycles, swimming at Tung Wan Beach, eating ice cream and fish balls from the stalls, and the pirate cave are all genuinely enjoyable for children aged 4 and up.

Can I stay overnight on Cheung Chau?

Yes — there are guesthouses and small hotels on Cheung Chau, and staying overnight gives you the island in the evening when the day-trippers have gone and the permanent community takes over. Prices for basic guesthouse rooms run HKD 400-800 per night. The warung restaurants open for dinner with fresh catches from the afternoon boats.

How does Cheung Chau compare to Lamma Island?

Both are car-free outlying islands with good seafood and hiking, but they suit slightly different trips. Cheung Chau has better beaches (Tung Wan) and the pirate cave, plus the Bun Festival in spring. Lamma is quieter, greener, and better for a longer coastal hike between villages. See the Lamma Island guide for the comparison in more detail — both make excellent, easy day trips from Central.

Is Cheung Chau busy every day or just on weekends?

Weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends, especially outside summer. On a weekday morning you can have Kwun Yam Wan and Italian Beach almost to yourself, and Tung Wan Road's street stalls are far less queued. Weekends, especially Sunday, bring Hong Kong families in large numbers, particularly at the beach and the ferry pier in late afternoon.

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