Ap Chau – which directly translated to 'Duck Island' – was named after its shape and form which somewhat resembles a duck laying on its belly when viewed from the north. Initially a place of anchorage for fishing families, the island began to populate during the 50s as fishermen built houses ashore and a fishing community grew slowly but surely. By the 60s, there were over a thousand residents living on the island.
Sadly, Ap Chau was met with the same fate as many other small islands in Hong Kong, as residents gradually moved away due to better employment opportunities in the city and overseas. In the late 1980s, approximately only 100 residents were left on the island. Ap Chau is now a Hong Kong UNESCO geosite, and in order to promote the island's heritage, the Ap Chau Story Room opened its doors in 2018 for visitors to come by and learn about the Tanka culture and heritage.
How to get there: From the University MTR station, take Exit B and walk to the Ma Liu Shui Landing No.3 pier. A ferry service operates on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, running from Ma Liu Sui to Kat O and Ap Chau.