Mui Wo

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Mui Wo (Traditional Chinese: 梅窩, lit. "plum nest") is a rural town on the south-eastern coast of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. The main beach in Mui Wo is known as Silver Mine Bay (銀礦灣).

Mui Wo, relative to the rest of Lantau Island.

Mui Wo, as viewed from the hills from the north

1 History
2 Sights
3 Transportation
4 See also

[edit] History

The history of Mui Wo is linked to the end of the Southern Song Dynasty in the late 1270s. (See History of Hong Kong)

Mui Wo is located on Silvermine Bay, so named for the silver mines that were once worked along the Silver River which flows though the village. The nearby Silvermine Cave was mined for silver during the second half of the 19th century. It has since been sealed off for safety.

Prior to the Airport Core Programme and the subsequent development of Tung Chung and North Lantau into a new town, Mui Wo was the principal point for day-trippers setting out to explore Lantau Island. Today, it is still the principal way of reaching South Lantau - from the beaches in Cheung Sha to the fishing village of Tai O and the Tian Tan Buddha, as the single-lane Tung Chung Road linking Tung Chung and South Lantau is not suited for higher loads. With the opening of Ngong Ping Skyrail, this may change.

[edit] Sights

Early morning view to Central from Mui Wo.

Nearby attractions include Silver Mine Bay Beach, Silver Mine Waterfall and a temple dedicated to Man Mo, originally built during the reign of Wanli, emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1573-1620).

[edit] Transportation

Mui Wo's Silver Mine Bay Beach

Mui Wo is connected by ferry to Central. Other ferry services link Mui Wo to Discovery Bay, Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, and Tsim Sha Tsui at the weekends and on public holidays.

Buses operate from Mui Wo to other places on Lantau, including Tung Chung and thus Hong Kong Airport and the rail network. The major road South Lantau Road begins with Mui Wo and ends in Shek Pik, with Tung Chung Road branching from Cheung Sha to Tung Chung.

Numerous hiking trails lead from Mui Wo to other parts of the island. The long hiking trail on the island, Lantau Trail, starts from Mui Wo. A much-frequented route leads north-east from Mui Wo to Discovery Bay via a pagoda, the Trappist Haven Monastery, and then either up the mountain via the Discovery Bay golf course or by the ocean via Nim Shue Wan.