Yim Tin Tsai — Local services in Hong Kong

Yim Tin Tsai is a small historic island which was populated by Hakka settlers for around 300 years prior to being depopulated and eventually abandoned near the end of the 20th century. Around the turn of the 21st century, descendants of those who lived here formed a Heritage Committee and set forth to revitalise the island making it into a Heritage destination and fun place for visitors to make a half-day trip from Sai Kung Village.

You can visit Yim Tin Tsai by way of kiato (ferry) from the Sai Kung Promenade. They last stand before reaching the seafood restaurants is where you purchase return tickets which are presently HK$70 per adult. The kiato ticket provides entrance into the island Heritage Centre and Salt Pans. There are usually 5-6 daily ferries between Sai Kung and Yim Tin Tsai and the ride is just 15 minutes each way. More ferries can be arranged depending on passenger requests. No ferries on Mondays except on public holidays.

When you purchase your kiato ticket, you will be provided with an Island map which includes a self-walk trail and the location of different sights around Yim Tin Tsai. You can follow the circular trail and see all the historic and heritage sites in 2 to 2.5 hours. If you want to spend more time at any of the attractions or an eatery, probably best to allow 3 hours to explore Yim Tin Tsai in its entirety.

The various attractions you will find on the trail include #1 Village Community Centre (sort of general Information Centre), #2 Century old Camphor Tree, #3 the old abandoned Hakka Village homes, #4 late 19th century St. Joseph's Chapel, #5 Heritage Exhibition Centre, #6 Spring Water Well, #7 Twin Pavillions, #8 Jade Bridge and Mangrove forest and #9 Yim Tin Tsai Salt Pans. Highlights along the trail are the Chapel, Exhibition Centre and Salt Pans.

Tip: In the abandoned homes between #5 Exhibition Centre and #6 Spring Water Well, you will find the remains of the dwelling of Saint Joseph Freinademtz, who lived and preached amongst the villagers at Tim Tin Tsai between 1879-1881. This is actually one of the more interesting places to find on the island but is not identified on the present trail map as a highlight stop to make.

There are information panels next to all of these attractions. You will also find artistic sculptures installed around the island as well as modern stained glass art placed in various dilapidated and abandoned house windows. The grounds are nicely maintained throughout.

Note: The stone stab and concrete trail is flat and easy to walk for those of all ages. There are public toilets on the island just just up the path and near the ferry pier. You'll also find three eateries all fairly close to the ferry...

Yim Tin Tsai is definitely worth a visit. You can see a small village of village culture and salt fields. There is art work and a small chapel, which is currently closed for renovation (a major drawback right now). There are also some restaurants. The one near the ferry is very expensive. The museum is quite small. I am not sure it's worth the $20 even including the salt fields. The ferry is 50 plus 20 for the sights. The island is quite crowded on Sundays. There is an effort to touristify it which is a little sad. I liked to walk to the island nearby, Kau Sai Chau. You can walk all the way to the ferry pier there but you must return since you have bought a return ticket. There is a stone carving in Kau Sai Chau but no land trail...

Buy ferry tickets at any one of the booths next to the Saikung public piers and depart from No.10. It's HK$50 for a return ticket. Make sure you check the ferry times as the last one depends on the tide.

This small island features a chapel, a salt farm, a few derelict houses and a small indoor exhibition of ancient artefacts dug up over the years.

The chapel has been preserved and is a sight to see but note there's a request for appropriate clothes to be worn if going inside.

A couple of stalls and a restaurant are nearby the pier and a easy trail around and over the island. There's a causeway to the nearby Kau Sai Chau public...