Yim Tin Tsai

🌊 Route Highlights - Approximately 6-8 km in total, suitable for beginners - Calm waters, avoiding strong currents in open sea - Rich scenery: mangroves, beaches, geological wonders 📍 Detailed Route Plan 🌟 Start: Sha Ha (5-10 minutes walk from Sai Kung town center) - Canoe rental available, recommended to start in the morning, equipment must be returned before 5 PM as required by the shop 🌟 First Stop: Yantian Tsai (about 1.5 km, 30-40 minutes) - Explore Hakka village and salt field ruins, short shore break allowed, try tofu pudding and tea snacks 🌟 Second Stop: Kiu Tsui Island (about 2 km, 40-50 minutes) - Paddle across the connecting sandbar (walkable at low tide) - Visit Kiu Tsui geological trail (pineapple bun rock, sea caves) - Swim on the beach, snorkel to view coral 🌟 Return to Sha Ha (about 2.5-3 km, 50-60 minutes) 🎒 Essential Gear for Beginners - Sun-protective clothing, hat, waterproof bag (for valuables) - Sufficient drinking water & light snacks - Waterproof phone case (for photos) 💡 Tip: On the way back, visit "Sai Kung Seafood Street" for a delicious feast! #HongKongWaterActivities

The first inhabitants in this small windswept island on the eastern waters of Hong Kong were of Hakka origin. The ancestor Chan Meng-tak came from Changle in Guangdong and first settled down in the salt fields of Sha Tau Kok. He then came to Sai Kung. The early villagers have inhabited this island as early as 1670. They took on farming, livestock rearing, fishing and salt-making as their trade. The Chinese character “tsai” in the island’s name means “homeland,” eliciting the idea that one must not forget his roots. During the mid-19th century, foreign missionaries set foot in the island. They established the church in the island and the islanders all turned to Christianity. This explains the absence of a Tin Hau Temple (or ancestral halls) on the island, and instead the existence of the St. Joseph’s Chapel. The Industrial History of Hong Kong Group claims that salt production was Hong Kong’s oldest industry. It is far older than the first settlement of Hong Kong’s indigenous clans. It is also far older than the other two ancient industries that Hong Kong was known for, incense wood production and pearl fishing. The salt trade was the lifeline for Yim Tin Tsai’s villagers for two hundred years. However, about one hundred years ago, the village’s salt trade slowly declined. They faced intense competition from cheaper salt exports from mainland China and Vietnam. With the advance of better transportation, the tax collector was able to visit the island to collect tax. The salt trade was no longer profitable. By the 1920s, the salt pans in Yim Tin Tsai have all but disappeared. The most amazing is the illustration of the salt’s crystalline structure by the staff. When you look closely at the salt, you see clearly that it comes in an interesting two-square structure. There are diagonal lines connecting the four corners of the outer square and the four corners of the inner square. There are two pieces of artwork on the island that drew inspiration from this very special crystalline shape of the salt. One is right at the Ching Bo School Heritage Center, the other is at the Salt Pans. #saltpan #yimtintsai #outlyingisland #hongkong #islandlife #hongkongculture #hongkongheritage #catholicism #catholicchurch #hongkongnature #islandtour #travel#naturalwonders#seascapes#china

#HongKongInDepthTour Yim Tin Tsai is located off the coast of Sai Kung. It is a Hakka village that was once abandoned and later revitalized. The small island was originally a settlement for Catholic villagers who made a living from salt production. Today, it preserves the old salt fields, a Catholic chapel, and some ancient houses. St. Joseph's Chapel has been declared a statutory monument, blending Chinese and Western architectural styles, showcasing the unique fusion of local religion and traditional culture. What makes Yim Tin Tsai especially unique is its combination of cultural preservation and ecological education. Many schools and groups organize guided tours and experiential activities here, such as "Salt Field Reclamation" and "Nature Guided Tours." Visitors can explore the island at a leisurely pace, feeling the tranquility and traces of past times. The entire trip is educational and also ideal for photography, history, or ecology enthusiasts. If you want to avoid crowds and deeply connect with local culture and history, Yim Tin Tsai is definitely worth a visit.

#DragonBoatFestivalDestinations #Yantianzi #Yantianzi For a festive boat trip during the Dragon Boat Festival, you can take a ferry from Sai Kung to Yantianzi (also known as Yantian Village) for a day tour. Yantianzi is a small island in Sai Kung Sea🏝. The island’s cultural exhibition hall, St. Joseph’s Chapel⛪️, Hakka village houses🏘, mangroves, old salt fields, and the Jade Belt Bridge connecting to Kaoxi Chau are all worth exploring. Besides the natural scenery and Hakka village history, many fields and village houses on the island feature art and creative installations, making it a perfect spot for photo ops. On the way back, you can enjoy seafood🐟 delicacies at Sai Kung Market. Transportation: You can take a ferry from Sai Kung Pier🛥, with a boat ride of about 15 minutes.