Tap Mun
Encyclopedia
Grass Island or Tap Mun is an island
in Hong Kong
, located in the northeastern part of the territory. Its area is 1.69 km². Administratively, it is part of the Tai Po District
. There are about 100 people living on the island.
and the North Channel. It lies north of the Sai Kung East Country Park
on the Sai Kung Peninsula
. To the east is Kung Chau, to the south is the South Channel, to the west is Wan Tsai
and to the southwest is Long Harbour.
site, renowned for the contrast in temperature and wind conditions between day and night. Temperatures drop and winds soar during the nighttime but die down as the day approaches, when the dawn marks the beginning of a temperature rise. It is also well-known for providing panoramic views of the surrounding seas, and so provides a brief escape away from the busy city life. The very gentle slopes of the hilltops are a favourite amongst campers, although there is the danger of the bordering cliffs.
, built in 1737, to which an annex was later added, housing a Kwan Tai
Temple. On its left, Shui Yuet Kung (水月宮, lit. "water moon temple") is dedicated to Kwun Yam (Guan Yin) and the Earth God. It was built in 1788. The Tin Hau Temple is a Grade II historic building
, while Shui Yuet Kung is listed as Grade III.
On festival days, such as Guan Yin's birthday, on the 19th day on the second lunar month, many fishermen arrive at Grass Island to pray for peace and calm. The Tin Hau Festival (天后誕) is celebrated annually on the 23rd day of the third lunar month. In addition, a marine parade is held once every ten years to celebrate the Tin Hau Festival. The temple at Grass Island is one of the two Tin Hau Temples in Hong Kong that have such a marine parade: the other one is the Tin Hau Temple on Leung Shuen Wan
(High Island).
and boiled squid dishes. Some fishermen of Grass Island make a living by selling their sun-dried catch. Sun-dried fish and shrimp are popular amongst local tourists.
services are available from:
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, located in the northeastern part of the territory. Its area is 1.69 km². Administratively, it is part of the Tai Po District
Tai Po District
Tai Po District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It covers the areas of Tai Po, Tai Po Kau, Ting Kok, Plover Cove and the northern part of Sai Kung Peninsula on both shores of Tolo Channel. It is located in the New Territories...
. There are about 100 people living on the island.
Location
Grass Island is located in the northeastern part of the Hong Kong territory, between Mirs BayMirs Bay
Mirs Bay is a bay in the northeast of Crooked Island and Sai Kung Peninsula of Hong Kong. Ping Chau stands in the midst of the bay...
and the North Channel. It lies north of the Sai Kung East Country Park
Sai Kung East Country Park
Sai Kung East Country Park is a 44.77 km² country park in Sai Kung Peninsula in Hong Kong. It opened in 1978 with features like:* High Island Reservoir* High Island* Tai Long Wan* Pak Tam Au* Sheung Yiu* Wong Shek Pier...
on the Sai Kung Peninsula
Sai Kung Peninsula
Sai Kung Peninsula is a peninsula in the easternmost part of the New Territories in Hong Kong. Its name comes from Sai Kung Town in the central southern area of the peninsula...
. To the east is Kung Chau, to the south is the South Channel, to the west is Wan Tsai
Wan Tsai
Wan Tsai is a peninsula between Hoi Ha Wan and Long Harbour in north-western Sai Kung Peninsula, Hong Kong. With a narrow neck, Lan Lo Au between Nam Fung Wan and an unnamed bay of Hoi Ha Wan connecting to mainland of Sai King Peninsula, Wan Tsai is hilly with two hills Tai Leng Tun and Nam Fung...
and to the southwest is Long Harbour.
Demographics
At its peak, Grass Island had 2,000 residents. However, many moved to the city centre to live. Now many residents run stores or restaurants for local tourists visiting the island. The villagers are mostly farmers, merchants or fishermen. The latter category has recently diminished as many youths from fishing families have chosen to work in the city instead. Due to the population outflow, the last school on the island closed down in 2003.Camping
The hilltop of Grass Island is a popular campingCamping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
site, renowned for the contrast in temperature and wind conditions between day and night. Temperatures drop and winds soar during the nighttime but die down as the day approaches, when the dawn marks the beginning of a temperature rise. It is also well-known for providing panoramic views of the surrounding seas, and so provides a brief escape away from the busy city life. The very gentle slopes of the hilltops are a favourite amongst campers, although there is the danger of the bordering cliffs.
Temples
The temple complex at Grass Island comprises three temples in two buildings: the first building is a Tin Hau TempleTin Hau temples in Hong Kong
Over 70 temples are dedicated to Tin Hau in Hong Kong. They include:* Tin Hau temple, located at 10 Tin Hau Temple Road, Causeway Bay, east of Victoria Park, in Eastern District, on Hong Kong Island. It is a declared monument. The temple has given its name to the MTR station serving it .* The Tin...
, built in 1737, to which an annex was later added, housing a Kwan Tai
Guan Yu
Guan Yu was a general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han Dynasty of China. He played a significant role in the civil war that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty and the establishment of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, of which Liu Bei was the...
Temple. On its left, Shui Yuet Kung (水月宮, lit. "water moon temple") is dedicated to Kwun Yam (Guan Yin) and the Earth God. It was built in 1788. The Tin Hau Temple is a Grade II historic building
Heritage conservation in Hong Kong
This article details the history and status of Heritage conservation in Hong Kong, as well as the role of various stakeholders.An indication of the size of the built heritage in Hong Kong is given by a territory-wide survey conducted by the Antiquities and Monuments Office between 1996 and 2000,...
, while Shui Yuet Kung is listed as Grade III.
On festival days, such as Guan Yin's birthday, on the 19th day on the second lunar month, many fishermen arrive at Grass Island to pray for peace and calm. The Tin Hau Festival (天后誕) is celebrated annually on the 23rd day of the third lunar month. In addition, a marine parade is held once every ten years to celebrate the Tin Hau Festival. The temple at Grass Island is one of the two Tin Hau Temples in Hong Kong that have such a marine parade: the other one is the Tin Hau Temple on Leung Shuen Wan
High Island, Hong Kong
High Island or Leung Shuen Wan is a former island in the southeast of Sai Kung Peninsula, Hong Kong. The island was connected to the peninsula by two dams to enclose the Kwun Mun Channel and form the High Island Reservoir. The construction of the dam spanned 10 years from 1969 to 1979...
(High Island).
Food
There is one seafood restaurant and a number of small tea restaurants on the Grass Island, many of which are known for 'ice-less' ice-cold milk teaMilk tea
Milk tea may refer to* Tea with the addition of a small amount of milk*Bubble tea, one of famous categories of bubble teas is "pearl milk tea"...
and boiled squid dishes. Some fishermen of Grass Island make a living by selling their sun-dried catch. Sun-dried fish and shrimp are popular amongst local tourists.
Other attractions
- Tap Mun Cave (塔門洞)
- Layered Rock
- King Lam School (瓊林學校) was founded before 1913 and was originally housed in the Tin Hau Temple. A dedicated school building with three classromms was built on the hill in 1957. The school closed in the summer of 2003, due to the low number of students. It is now a Grade III historic buildingHeritage conservation in Hong KongThis article details the history and status of Heritage conservation in Hong Kong, as well as the role of various stakeholders.An indication of the size of the built heritage in Hong Kong is given by a territory-wide survey conducted by the Antiquities and Monuments Office between 1996 and 2000,...
. - Ngau See Dong, the grave site of a resident buffalo. The skeletal remains of the decomposed buffalo was a spooky sight as it was situated right next to a frequently walked stone path. Although now removed by local officials, the site can still be identified as an unnatural depression into the border of surrounding shrubs.
- The Environmental Protection DepartmentEnvironmental Protection DepartmentEnvironmental Protection Department is a department of Hong Kong Government concerning the issues of environmental protection in Hong Kong.-History:...
has an Air Pollution IndexAir Pollution IndexThe Air Pollution Index is a simple and generalized way to describe the air quality in mainland China, Hong Kong and Malaysia. It is calculated from several sets of air pollution data.-Mainland China:...
monitoring station on the island.
Transportation
Grass Island is served by Tsui Wah Ferry Service. The ferry/kai-toKai-to
The kai-to is a type of small, motorized ferry operating in Hong Kong. They are usually used to serve remote coastal settlements in the territory's outlying islands....
services are available from:
- Wong Shek PierWong Shek PierWong Shek Pier is a public pier on the shore of Long Harbour in the north-east of Hong Kong's New Territories. It is situated in the Wong Shek area of the Sai Kung Peninsula, and is in Tai Po District....
in Sai Kung; about once every two hours, with higher frequency on holidays. - Ma Liu Shui Pier near Chinese UniversityChinese University of Hong KongThe Chinese University of Hong Kong is a research-led university in Hong Kong.CUHK is the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with Nobel Prize winners on its faculty, including Chen Ning Yang, James Mirrlees, Robert Alexander Mundell and Charles K. Kao...
in Tai PoTai PoTai Po is an area in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It refers to the vicinity of the traditional market towns in the area presently known as Tai Po Old Market or Tai Po Kau Hui and the Tai Wo Town on the other side of the Lam Tsuen River, near the old Tai Po Market Station of the...
; twice daily, with an extra departure on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.