Tung Lung Chau Island
Island near Hong Kong with trails and historic fort
A short ferry from Hong Kong takes you to Tung Lung Chau, known for sea‑cliff rock climbing, coastal hikes and the historic Tung Lung Fort. Daytrippers come for boat access, picnic spots and exposed granite cliffs.
Tung Lung Chau at a Glance#
About Tung Lung Chau#
Tung Lung Chau is a small island in Hong Kong’s Sai Kung District, located off the Clear Water Bay peninsula. It is known for its coastal cliffs, a ruined coastal fort, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Visitors encounter steep sea cliffs used for rock climbing, short walking trails, and exposed coastal scenery. The island’s shorelines and crags provide multi-pitch and single-pitch climbing routes, and there are small bays and rocky beaches for landing craft.
The island contains the remains of a coastal fort built to control and observe local waters; the fort is preserved as a ruin. Over time Tung Lung Chau has shifted from a defensive site to a recreational destination for climbers, hikers, and boaters.
Tung Lung Chau sits off the eastern side of the Clear Water Bay Peninsula within Hong Kong’s territorial waters, administered as part of Sai Kung District. It is reached by private boat and by occasional local ferry/kaito services during weekends and holidays.
- Rock climbing: Climbing routes on the island include long multi-pitch sea-cliff climbs and shorter sport routes, making it one of Hong Kong’s better-known outdoor climbing areas.
What to See#
- Tung Lung Fort: A ruined coastal fort occupying a strategic promontory and visible from short trails; the fort is now an archaeological/historic ruin rather than an active structure.
- Sea-cliff climbing areas: Steep sea cliffs and coastal crags that form established rock-climbing routes and sport climbing sectors on the island’s shoreline.
How to Get to Tung Lung Chau#
Access is by small ferry (kaito) from Sai Kung Public Pier; services are limited and often operate on weekends. From Sai Kung Town centre it is a short walk to the pier. Private boats may also land at the island’s jetty when seas are calm.
Tips for Visiting Tung Lung Chau#
- Take the weekend kaito (small ferry) from Sai Kung Public Pier; services are limited and often run on Saturdays and Sundays only.
- Climb early in the morning for the cooler rock and better coastal light; some sea cliffs get baking hot by noon.
- Bring a rock-climbing guidebook or local guide for the island's multi-pitch routes and bouldering sectors; some approaches are exposed and scramble-heavy.
- Visit the Tin Hau temple near the small jetty - it's a human-scale counterpoint to the island's wild cliffs.
Best Time to Visit Tung Lung Chau#
Weekend boat services and good weather in autumn and winter make those seasons the best times to visit; check local ferry timetables as services are irregular.
Weather & Climate near Tung Lung Chau#
Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 12°C to 30°C. Heavy rainfall (2030 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 12° - 18° | 15° | 23 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.8h |
| February | Good | 13° - 18° | 15° | 48 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 11.3h |
| March | Good | 16° - 21° | 18° | 76 mm | overcast | 86% | 3.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.9h |
| April | Good | 19° - 24° | 22° | 165 mm | overcast | 88% | 3.3 m/s | 1.4 high | 12.6h |
| May | Good | 23° - 27° | 25° | 310 mm | overcast | 88% | 3.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.1h |
| June | Good | 25° - 29° | 31° | 339 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.2 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.4h |
| July | Very Good | 25° - 30° | 33° | 288 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 3.0 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 13.2h |
| August | Good | 25° - 30° | 32° | 349 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 2.9 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.8h |
| September | Very Good | 24° - 29° | 27° | 249 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Excellent | 22° - 27° | 24° | 121 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.5h |
| November | Excellent | 17° - 23° | 20° | 31 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 10.9h |
| December | Very Good | 14° - 20° | 17° | 31 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.7 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.7h |
