Tung Lung Chau, up close

Tung Lung Chau sits off Hong Kong's south-eastern coast, uninhabited today, and known almost entirely for two things: some of the region's best sea-cliff rock climbing and a set of well-preserved fort ruins.

Rock climbing

The island's sea cliffs are considered among the best climbing in Hong Kong, already mentioned in our adventure sports guide, drawing a dedicated local and visiting climbing community rather than casual day-trippers.

Tung Lung Fort

Ruins of a Qing dynasty fort sit near the island's northern coast, built to guard against piracy and smuggling — a genuinely evocative historical site made more atmospheric by its isolation and lack of any modern development around it.

A day-trip island

With no permanent population, no shops and limited facilities, Tung Lung Chau is a bring-everything-you-need destination — a straightforward loop trail covers the fort and coastal scenery for those not there specifically to climb.

Getting there

Reachable only by a limited kaido ferry service, mainly on weekends, from Sai Wan Ho on Hong Kong Island or Joss House Bay in Sai Kung — checking the current, sparse timetable well ahead of a visit is essential.