Discover also: Hainan, Xiamen and Gulangyu, Macao.
⚠️ Timetables, prices and access conditions may change without notice, for reasons beyond our control (season, weather, decisions by operators, venues or local authorities). Before every trip, check the information with the relevant authorities and service providers. Entry requirements and local rules (reserves, quotas) are subject to the same caveat.
It is easy to forget, but Hong Kong is also made up of more than 260 islands. Half an hour by ferry from the towers of Central, Lantau, Lamma, Cheung Chau and Peng Chau show a very different face: fishing villages, Taoist temples, sandy beaches, ridge trails and, on three of them, no cars at all. An easy escape from the city, or a real destination for a few quiet days.
Four islands, four moods
Lantau, Hong Kong’s largest island (about twice the size of Hong Kong Island itself), is home to the airport but remains two-thirds country park. It has the Big Buddha at Ngong Ping, the stilt-house village of Tai O, the long beaches of Cheung Sha and Pui O, and the quiet town of Mui Wo.
Car-free Lamma is the bohemian island: artists, cafés, a coastal path between Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan, and famous seafood restaurants. Cheung Chau, a small, lively dumbbell-shaped island, lives from fishing, its temples and its famous Bun Festival. Peng Chau, the most discreet, has kept the feel of an old-time village.
Big Buddha, stilt houses and ridge trails
On Lantau, the Ngong Ping 360 cable car glides over the mountains to the Tian Tan Buddha (34 m of bronze, 268 steps) and Po Lin Monastery. To the west, Tai O and its stilt houses are home to the Tanka community; boat trips set out from here to look for Chinese white dolphins, pink-skinned and now rare. Hikers head for Lantau Peak (934 m) at sunrise, or tackle a stage of the Lantau Trail.
On Lamma, the Family Trail (about 1 h 30) links the two villages via Hung Shing Yeh beach. On Cheung Chau, rent a bike to reach the cave of the pirate Cheung Po Tsai, the Pak Tai temple and Tung Wan beach, a windsurfing hotspot. On Peng Chau, climb Finger Hill for views over the islands.
Ferry from Central, or the metro to Lantau
Ferries leave from the Central piers (pier 4 for Lamma, pier 5 for Cheung Chau, pier 6 for Mui Wo and Peng Chau), from morning to evening; an inter-island line also links Peng Chau, Mui Wo, Chi Ma Wan and Cheung Chau. For the Big Buddha, the easiest way is the MTR (Tung Chung line) then the cable car or bus. The Octopus card works everywhere: ferries, buses, metro and small shops. On Lantau, NLB buses and blue taxis serve the villages.
October to December, the ideal season
Autumn is the best time: dry air, clear skies, 20–27 °C. Spring is mild but often hazy. From June to September it is hot and sticky with frequent storms; it is also the heart of the typhoon season: when signal no. 8 is raised, ferries are suspended. If you can, avoid weekends and public holidays, when Hongkongers pack the ferries and beaches. The Cheung Chau Bun Festival takes place on Buddha’s Birthday (in May).
The Hong Kong Islands at a glance
| Location | South China Sea, south and west of Hong Kong Island |
|---|---|
| Main islands | Lantau, Lamma, Cheung Chau, Peng Chau |
| Status | Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (China) |
| Languages | Cantonese and English |
| Time difference | +7 h in winter, +6 h in summer compared with France (UTC+8) |
| Currency | Hong Kong dollar (HKD), about 9 HKD to €1 |
| Access | Ferries from Central; metro and cable car for Lantau |
| Entry (French citizens) | Visa-free for up to 90 days, valid passport |
| Electricity | 220 V, type G (British) plugs |
Your questions answered
Do French citizens need a visa?
No: French nationals can stay up to 90 days in Hong Kong without a visa, with a valid passport. Hong Kong has its own entry rules, separate from those of mainland China: a visa or exemption for China does not apply to Hong Kong, and vice versa.
Can you visit the islands as a day trip?
Yes. Cheung Chau, Lamma and Peng Chau are 25–60 minutes by ferry from Central, and the Big Buddha can be reached by metro and cable car. But a night on the islands lets you enjoy the villages in the evening, once the day-trippers have left.
Are there cars on the islands?
Not on Lamma, Cheung Chau or Peng Chau, where people get around on foot or by bike. On Lantau, the southern roads are restricted to vehicles with a special permit: you get around by bus, taxi or on foot.
What is the best season?
October to December: dry weather, clear skies and mild temperatures, ideal for hiking. Summer is hot and very humid, and the typhoon season (May to November, especially July to September) can interrupt ferries.
Header photo: Hong Kong Island seen from Victoria Harbour — WiNG, CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
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