Kat O
Step into another world
Lying close to the Chinese Mainland, in the northeast of Plover Cove Country Park, this far-flung, 2.4sqkm island is also known as Crooked Island, thanks to its irregular shape. Getting here from central Hong Kong is far from easy, but that very fact makes it all the more interesting – and quiet.
You should first stop by at Kat O Geoheritage Centre (142 Kat O Main St) – open every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday (except Lunar New Year) from 10am-3.30pm. Opened in 2010, it celebrates the island's geology and cultural history (see bit.ly/katogeoheritage).
You can also take a wander along the Kat O Nature Trail – this short path winds through the villages before heading upwards and finishing at a pagoda. Look out for the ancient temples, ancestral halls and three corroded cannons along your way.
Don't miss Kat O Geoheritage Centre. It's definitely worth a look.
Get there A public ferry to Kat O runs from Shau Tau Kok, but this requires an access permit. Other options are to join a private island tour, to charter a boat or get a water taxi from Wong Shek Pier. The number 94 and 96R buses go to Wong Shek Pier (96R operates on weekends only). To arrange a water taxi from Wong Shek, call Sing Keeon 9178 0495 (Chinese only), in advance. A round trip to Kat O costs around 800HKD and the boat holds a maximum of three passengers. See bit.ly/kato factfile for more
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