How do I get to Cheung Chau Island from Hong Kong?

Take the ferry from Central Pier 5. The ride is about one hour on the ordinary ferry or faster on the fast ferry, and round-trip is roughly HK$31 on the regular service. No advance booking is needed on normal days, but during the Bun Festival in May you should book your ferry around two weeks ahead, as boats fill up.

What is there to do on Cheung Chau in one day?

The island is car-free and small at 2.5 square kilometres. Rent a bike (around HK$30 a day) to circle the waterfront praya, eat seafood at the typhoon-shelter row, climb to the Tin Hau Temple, swim at Tung Wan or Kwun Yum beach, and walk to Cheung Po Tsai pirate cave. A full day fits everything comfortably.

When is the Cheung Chau Bun Festival and is it worth visiting?

The Bun Festival falls in May, on the 4th day of the 4th lunar month. It is a UNESCO-listed Taoist celebration famous for towering bamboo bun towers and the 'piu sik' floating-colours parade, where costumed children appear to float above the crowd. It is a highlight of the Hong Kong calendar, but expect packed ferries and book ahead.

Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

1-hour ferry from Central — old fishing village, car-free streets, beaches, and the annual Bun Festival. Hong Kong's most loved island day-trip.

At a glance

What it is: Neighborhood
Also known as: 长洲岛 (Cháng Zhōu)
Opening hours: Always open
Time needed: Full day
Best time to visit: Clear weekday or Bun Festival (May)
Getting there: Taxi / DiDi from metro
English: English tours available
Cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
Entry: Walk-in — no booking
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi
Address: Cheung Chau, Islands District · 离岛区长洲

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Cheung Chau (literally 'long island') is a 2.5 km² car-free fishing island 1 hour by ferry from Central Pier 5. Mainstays: rent a bike (HK$30/day) to circle the praya, eat at the seafood typhoon-shelter row, climb to the Tin Hau Temple, and swim at Tung Wan or Kwun Yum Beach. The annual Bun Festival (May, 4th day of 4th lunar month) is a UNESCO-listed Taoist celebration with bamboo bun towers + 'piu sik' (floating colours) child parades — book ferries 2 weeks ahead. Day-trip HK$31 round-trip on regular ferry. Famous foods: mango glutinous-rice rolls + giant fishball skewers. Cheung Po Tsai Cave (pirate hideout legend) is the iconic photo spot.

Highlights

Bun Festival (May)UNESCO-listed bun tower + piu sik parade
Car-free islandBike rental HK$30; circle in 90 min
Cheung Po Tsai CavePirate legend; the iconic photo spot

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

▸Catch an early-morning ferry; afternoon boats back to Central get crowded and the seafood row fills by lunch.
▸Cheung Po Tsai Cave is the iconic photo spot but tight and dark, so bring a phone torch and skip it if claustrophobic.
▸Rent a bike at the pier, not deeper in the village, where the few shops mark prices up for stragglers.
▸The island is car-free, so there are no taxis; everything is reached on foot or by bike, plan your route accordingly.
▸Mango glutinous-rice rolls and giant fishball skewers are the local specialities; buy them near the praya, not the pier kiosks.
▸Outside the May Bun Festival, weekdays are blissfully quiet while weekends draw heavy local day-trip crowds.
▸Sunset over the harbour from the praya is the best free view; time your return ferry just after it for the photo.

Photos

A tranquil boat ride at sunset near Hong Kong Island, with golden water reflections.

A stunning view of Hong Kong harbor with boats and towering skyscrapers set against a mountainous backdrop.

Breathtaking view of Hong Kong skyline and sea at twilight with illuminated buildings.

Explore the serene Hong Kong harbor with boats docked under a clear blue sky.

Tranquil view of a boat on foggy Hong Kong harbor with distant city skyline.

View of the Star Ferry crossing Victoria Harbour, iconic Hong Kong skyline in the background.

A ferry docked at Hong Kong harbor with a backdrop of modern skyscrapers and hills.

Scenic view of Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour with ferries and skyline of Kowloon and skyscrapers.

A bustling Hong Kong harbor scene featuring boats, skyscrapers, and clear blue skies.

A traditional wooden fishing boat navigating the serene waters off Hong Kong.

View through a window of a ferry boat approaching Hong Kong city skyline on a sunny day.

A serene view of a pier in Hong Kong with a sailboat at twilight, surrounded by calm waters.

Kowloon skyline at dusk, overlooking Victoria Harbour with a muted urban vibe.

Vibrant scene of Tap Mun Pier with colorful boats under a clear blue sky.

What travelers say (3 reviews)

IslandDay·TripAdvisor·5/5

Best HK day-trip. 1-hour ferry from Central Pier 5. Mango glutinous rice rolls + giant fishball skewers + bike around island in 90 min.

2026-04-22

BunFestival2026·YouTube·5/5

Came for the Bun Festival in May — UNESCO-listed bun towers + piu sik child parade. Book ferry 2 weeks ahead, it sells out.

2026-05-10

长洲日游·Xiaohongshu·5/5

Car-free 离岛！海鲜大排档新鲜便宜，张保仔洞拍照打卡必去。傍晚回港看维港夜景完美。

2026-03-30

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Frequently asked questions about Cheung Chau Island

How do I get to Cheung Chau Island from Hong Kong?: Take the ferry from Central Pier 5. The ride is about one hour on the ordinary ferry or faster on the fast ferry, and round-trip is roughly HK$31 on the regular service. No advance booking is needed on normal days, but during the Bun Festival in May you should book your ferry around two weeks ahead, as boats fill up.
What is there to do on Cheung Chau in one day?: The island is car-free and small at 2.5 square kilometres. Rent a bike (around HK$30 a day) to circle the waterfront praya, eat seafood at the typhoon-shelter row, climb to the Tin Hau Temple, swim at Tung Wan or Kwun Yum beach, and walk to Cheung Po Tsai pirate cave. A full day fits everything comfortably.
When is the Cheung Chau Bun Festival and is it worth visiting?: The Bun Festival falls in May, on the 4th day of the 4th lunar month. It is a UNESCO-listed Taoist celebration famous for towering bamboo bun towers and the 'piu sik' floating-colours parade, where costumed children appear to float above the crowd. It is a highlight of the Hong Kong calendar, but expect packed ferries and book ahead.