Po Toi
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Po Toi (commonly , originally ) is the main island of the Po Toi Islands and the southernmost island of Hong Kong, with an area of 3.69 km2.


Name

It is said that the island used to produce dried
seaweed Seaweed, or macroalgae, refers to thousands of species of macroscopic, multicellular, marine algae. The term includes some types of ''Rhodophyta'' (red), '' Phaeophyta'' (brown) and ''Chlorophyta'' (green) macroalgae. Seaweed species such as ...
s (), which were shaped like the cattail hassock () used by the monks for sitting; therefore the island was originally called 蒲苔島, the present common name being a
corruption Corruption is a form of dishonesty or a criminal offense that is undertaken by a person or an organization that is entrusted in a position of authority to acquire illicit benefits or abuse power for one's gain. Corruption may involve activities ...
. Another explanation states that Po Toi looks like a floating platform () when viewed from a distance on sea. 蒲 is another character meaning "to float" in the local dialect, thus giving the island its name.


Administration

Po Toi is a recognized village under the
New Territories The New Territories (N.T., Traditional Chinese characters, Chinese: ) is one of the three areas of Hong Kong, alongside Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. It makes up 86.2% of Hong Kong's territory, and contains around half of the population of H ...
Small House Policy The Small House Policy (SHP, ) was introduced in 1972 in Hong Kong. The objective was to improve the then prevailing low standard of housing in the rural areas of the New Territories. The policy allows an indigenous male villager who is 18 ye ...
.


History

The island historically had a maximum of about 1,000 fishermen and farmers, whose economic activity consisted mainly of fishing, farming and seaweed harvesting. The population lived mainly in two villages, Chang Shek Pai () and Shan Liu (). The population decreased sharply over the past decades, with the younger generations moving to the city.


Features

Po Toi is an important birding hotspot in Hong Kong, with over 350 species recorded. However the numbers are declining like elsewhere in Hong Kong, the rather degraded environmental situation around the village being one of the factors. Po Toi is famous for its rock formations, such as the Buddha's Palm Cliff (), the Coffin Rock (), the Tortoise Rock () and the Monk Rock (). Ancient rock carvings on the island, believed to date back to the
Bronze Age The Bronze Age () was a historical period characterised principally by the use of bronze tools and the development of complex urban societies, as well as the adoption of writing in some areas. The Bronze Age is the middle principal period of ...
(around 1500–700 BC), were discovered in the 1960s. They have been listed as
declared monuments of Hong Kong Declared monuments of Hong Kong are places, structures or buildings legally declared to receive the highest level of protection. In Hong Kong Hong Kong)., Legally Hong Kong, China in international treaties and organizations. is a spec ...
since 1979.Environment Protection Department – List of Declared Monuments as on 1 January 1999
(archive)
These may be viewed on a spur-track on the track that runs between the main harbour (Tai Wan), and the lighthouse. A Tin Hau Temple is located on Po Toi, facing the bay of Tai Wan (). While its construction date is unknown, it is documented that the temple was renovated in 1893.Brief Information on proposed Grade Nil Items. Item #1254. Tin Hau Temple
Mo's Old House, or the "Deserted Mansion of Family Mo" (), usually referred to as the "Haunted House", is a popular venue of "adventure" for the young visitors. The existing house was built in the 1930s at Chang Shek Pai and has fallen into ruins.Brief Information on proposed Grade Nil Items. Item #1207. Mo's Old House
There is a lighthouse on Po Toi also known as Nam Kok Tsui Lighthouse.


Education

Po Toi Island is in Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 96, which contains a single aided school, Northern Lamma School on
Lamma Island Lamma Island, also known as Y Island, Pok Liu Chau or simply Pok Liu, is the third largest List of islands and peninsulas of Hong Kong, island in Hong Kong. Administratively, it is part of the Islands District, Hong Kong, Islands District. Lam ...
; no government primary schools are in this net.


Culture

Festivals in Po Toi centre around the local Tin Hau Temple. During festivities, a temporary bamboo and sheet metal structure is erected near the temple to host Cantonese Opera Performances. On the 23rd day of the third lunar month, the local temple observes the annual Tin Hau Festival. Every three years, between the 15th and 19th days days of the first lunar month, Po Toi Island hosts a Jiao festival.


Transport

The island is accessible by
kai-to The kai-to, sometimes kaito or kaido () is a type of small, motorised ferry that operates in Hong Kong. They are usually used to serve remote coastal settlements in the territory's outlying islands. There are currently 78 fixed kai-to routes ...
or water taxi.
Tsui Wah Ferry 250px, Tsui Wah Ferry's Aberdeen to Yung Shue Wan. image:Tsui Wah Ferry Service in Tap Mun.jpg, 250px, Tsui Wah Ferry's kai-to for Wong Shek Pier to Tap Mun. image:Tsui Wah Ferry at Aberdeen.JPG, 250px, Tsui Wah Ferry's kai-to for Aberdeen to ...
provides scheduled ferry services connecting Po Toi Island with
Aberdeen Aberdeen ( ; ; ) is a port city in North East Scotland, and is the List of towns and cities in Scotland by population, third most populous Cities of Scotland, Scottish city. Historically, Aberdeen was within the historic county of Aberdeensh ...
and
Stanley Stanley may refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television * ''Stanley'' (1972 film), an American horror film * ''Stanley'' (1984 film), an Australian comedy * ''Stanley'' (1999 film), an animated short * ''Stanley'' (1956 TV series) ...
.


In fiction

The climax of John le Carré's novel '' The Honourable Schoolboy'' (the second in the 'Karla trilogy', featuring George Smiley) takes place on Po Toi.


See also

* 2014 Po Toi Island ship collision


References


External links


Delineation of area of existing village Po Toi (Lamma South) for election of resident representative (2019 to 2022)
* Pictures of Po Toi Island


CentaMap map of Po Toi Island
* * Hong Kong Bird Watching Society
Proposal for a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Support for Country Park Designation on Po Toi Island
October 2012 {{Coord, 22, 10, 8.8, N, 114, 15, 48.2, E, display=title, type:isle Islands of Hong Kong Islands District Po Toi Islands Populated places in Hong Kong