Po Toi
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Po Toi (commonly Template:Zh, originally Template:Zh) is the main island of the Po Toi Islands and the southernmost[1] island of Hong Kong, with an area of 3.69 km2.[2]
Name
It is said that the island used to produce dried seaweeds (Script error: No such module "Lang".), which were shaped like the cattail hassock (Script error: No such module "Lang".) used by the monks for sitting; therefore the island was originally called 蒲苔島, the present common name being a corruption. Another explanation states that Po Toi looks like a floating platform (Script error: No such module "Lang".) 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 Small House Policy.[3]
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.[4] The population lived mainly in two villages, Chang Shek Pai (Script error: No such module "Lang".) and Shan Liu (Script error: No such module "Lang".). The population decreased sharply over the past decades, with the younger generations moving to the city.[5]
Features
Po Toi is an important birding hotspot in Hong Kong, with over 350 species recorded.[6] 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 (Script error: No such module "Lang".), the Coffin Rock (Script error: No such module "Lang".), the Tortoise Rock (Script error: No such module "Lang".) and the Monk Rock (Script error: No such module "Lang".).[7][8][9]
Ancient rock carvings on the island, believed to date back to the Bronze Age (around 1500–700 BC),[10] were discovered in the 1960s. They have been listed as declared monuments of Hong Kong[11][12][13] since 1979.[14] 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 (Script error: No such module "Lang".). While its construction date is unknown, it is documented that the temple was renovated in 1893.[4][15][16]
Mo's Old House, or the "Deserted Mansion of Family Mo" (Script error: No such module "Lang".), usually referred to as the "Haunted House",[17] 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.[5]
There is a lighthouse on Po Toi also known as Nam Kok Tsui Lighthouse.[18]
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; no government primary schools are in this net.[19]
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.[20]
Every three years, between the 15th and 19th days of the first lunar month, Po Toi Island hosts a Jiao festival.[21]
Transport
The island is accessible by kai-to or water taxi. Tsui Wah Ferry provides scheduled ferry services connecting Po Toi Island with Aberdeen and Stanley.[22][23]
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.[24]
See also
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References
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- ↑ a b Brief Information on proposed Grade Nil Items. Item #1254. Tin Hau Temple Template:Webarchive
- ↑ a b Brief Information on proposed Grade Nil Items. Item #1207. Mo's Old House Template:Webarchive
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ "Rocks in Po Toi", Varsity, Issue 118, December 2006
- ↑ Exploring Islands. Po Toi sights: Supine Monk
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Antiquities and Monuments Office. Rock Carving on Po Toi Island
- ↑ Exploring islands. Po Toi sights: Rock Carving
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Environment Protection Department – List of Declared Monuments as on 1 January 1999 (archive)
- ↑ Exploring islands. Po Toi sights: Tin Hau Temple, Po Toi
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Exploring islands. Po Toi sights: The Old Mansion of Family Mo
- ↑ Template:Cite rowlett
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- ↑ Tsui Wah Ferry website
- ↑ Transport details for Po Toi Islands
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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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: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
- CentaMap map of Po Toi Island
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- 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
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