Island sights in China
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Lamma Island
The third-largest island after Lantau and Hong Kong, Lamma is known for its lively pubs, seafood restaurants, beaches and hikes. The laid-back lifestyle, strong feeling of community and relatively low rental make it a popular place with expats. The most interesting way to see a good portion of the island is to follow the 4km-long 'Family Trail' between the two main villages, Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan, which takes a little over an hour, and return to Central by ferry from there.
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Gu Hill
Connected to the northern shores of the West Lake by the Bai Causeway is Gu Hill, the largest island in the lake and the location of the Zhejiang Provincial Museum (Zhèjiāng Shěng Bówùguan), Zhongshan Park (Zhōngshān Gōngyuán) and the Louwailou Restaurant. The island's buildings and gardens were once the site of Emperor Qianlong's 18th-century holiday palace and gardens.
Also on the island is the intriguing Seal Engravers' Society (Xīlíng Yìnshè), dedicated to the ancient art of carving the name seals (chops) that serve as personal signatures. In the northwest is the lovely Quyuan Garden (Qūyuàn Fēnghé), a collection of gardens spread out over numerous islets and…
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Nánwān Hóudăo (Monkey Island)
About a thousand macaque monkeys live on this narrow, hilly peninsula near Xīncūn. A government research park and wildlife centre has been established to investigate all the monkey business. It sounds tacky, but it's peaceful if you avoid the tourist groups. However, during mating season (Feb-May) the monkeys are, shall we say, over-hospitable.
For maximum monkey contact, visit in the morning or evening, otherwise you might have trouble spotting them in the foliage. It's all right to feed them but don't try to touch them. And keep a tight grip on your camera; these monkeys are wily!
Frequent minibuses run to Xīncūn directly from Sānyà. Ferries from Xīncūn's pier putt-pu…
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Ap Lei Chau
On the southern side of the harbour is Ap Lei Chau (Duck’s Tongue Island), one of the most densely populated places in the world. It used to be a centre for building junks, but now it’s covered with housing estates, including a huge one called South Horizons. There’s not much to see there, but a walk across the bridge to the island affords good views. From Aberdeen Promenade you can get a boat across to Ap Lei Chau (adult/child under 12 $1.80/1). Ap Lei Chau is also a destination for bargain hunters drawn to its discount outlet stores.
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Huáng Dǎo
About 30 minutes by boat from Qīngdǎo and a further 30 minutes by bus is the beach of Huáng Dǎo , which is quieter and cleaner than Qīngdǎo's beaches. The ferry leaves from the Qīngdǎo local ferry terminal (Qīngdǎo lúndùzhàn), to the west of the train station. The first departure is at 06:30, with the final boat returning at 21:00. Once you reach the island, take bus 1 to its terminus.
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Lesser Yingzhou Island
The smaller island in the lake is Lesser Yingzhou Island where you can look over at Three Pools Mirroring the Moon (Sāntán Yìnyuè), three small towers in the water on the south side of the island; each has five holes that release shafts of candlelight on the night of the mid-autumn festival. From Lesser Yingzhou Island, you can look over to Red Carp Pond (Huāgang Guānyú), home to a few thousand red carp.
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Taipa
Traditionally an island of duck farms and boat yards, Taipa is rapidly becoming urbanised and now houses hotels, a university, a racecourse, a stadium and an airport. But a parade of baroque churches, temples, overgrown esplanades and lethargic settlements mean it's still possible to experience the traditional charms of the island.
Taipa Village, in the north-central part of the island, is a window to the island's past. Here you'll find the stately Taipa House Museum, housed in five waterfront villas that give a sense of how the Macanese middle-class lived in the early 20th century. Also in the village is the Church of Our Lady of Carmel and temples including Pak Tai Temp…
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Coloane
A haven for pirates until the start of the 20th century, Coloane considerably larger than Taipa, is the only part of Macau that doesn't seem to be changing at a head-spinning rate, which is a relief.
All buses stop at the roundabout in Coloane Village on the western shore, which overlooks mainland China across the water. The main attraction in the village is the Chapel of St Francis Xavier, built in 1928 and which contains a relic of the saint's arm bone. The village has some interesting temples, including the Tam Kong Temple, where you'll find a dragon boat made of whale bone. To the north of the village on Estrada da Lai Chi Vun are photogenic old junk-building sheds, wh…
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