You may have heard of the “Angel Road” in Shōdoshima Island, Japan, but what you may not know is that here in Hong Kong, there’s a sandy island that’s just as dreamy, if not more so. Walk past the famous log pond site in Sunny Bay to enter the hidden village Luk Keng Tsuen. During low tide, take a stroll along the rocky beach of Cheung Sok, a small island north of Yam O Wan, to discover its stunning sceneries. This is the perfect spot for a photo, so be sure to dress up for it!

Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Suggested Route: 1. Sunny Bay Promenade > 2. Luk Keng Tsuen > 3. Sister Giu Convenience Store > 4. Luk Keng Pier > 5. Cheung Sok
Highlights: Along this 2km walk, you’ll discover the hidden but stunning island Cheung Sok, and bask in Sunny Bay’s scenic and storied past. You’ll also learn about the history of Sunny Bay’s log pond and its village Luk Ken Tsuen. An easy and photogenic journey that’s perfect for families.

Stroll through the Stone Embankment via Sunny Bay Promenade
From the MTR Sunny Bay Station, head towards the Sunny Bay Promenade where you can just make out the silhouette of the sandy island on the other end. It’s none other than the “Angel Road” between Luk Keng Tsuen and Cheung Sok that’s also the destination of our journey. Follow the stone embankment around Sunny Bay, check out the turquoise water and you may spot a fishing enthusiast or two. Pick a spot on the embankment and snap a few beautiful shots by the bay.

The Sunny Bay Promenade is highly Instagrammable, but always stay safe and be mindful of the slippery rocks before you pose!

Heritage Site of a Defunct Log PondThese wooden columns are unfortunately what remain of the historic log pond in Sunny Bay, then Yam O.

Seeing Sunny Bay from a distance, you will find dozens of wooden columns of varying heights and sizes poking out from the sea. These are part of the historic log pond created between the 1950s and 1980s, when Hong Kong's timber industry flourished. The location of Sunny Bay naturally protects it from strong wind and waves, making it an ideal place for mills to store timbers. At that time, many workers in the timber industry would build floating houses around the village of Luk Keng Tsuen to rest during shifts and in between loading of the logs. Today, not only will you see these remaining wooden columns, but also the last-surviving floating house in the middle of the ocean.

Have you ever wondered how on earth did the workers store timbers in a log pond? Well, allow us to explain. As too much direct sunlight would cause wooden logs to crack, workers found out that by storing them on water, not only would the logs be partially protected from sunlight and the heat, but the low oxygen level in water could also better preserve the wood from decay and pests. Coupled that with the depth of the bay and its gentle flow, Sunny Bay became the thriving timber storage hub in Hong Kong. During its heyday, heaps of timbers would float about here and over 20 timber factories called this  “Industrial Bay” home.

As the demand for local timbers dwindled, it also saw the sunset for Hong Kong’s timber industry. Gone were the mountain of timbers. What is left today are a few wooden columns used to anchor the floating logs and a few tales of the history of these log ponds. Not a bad story to share with visitors and they certainly make for a great photo op!

Extraordinary Stories of the People from a Hidden Village“We used to have a lot more villagers here,” says Sister Giu, owner of the Sister Giu Convenience Store, who’s been living in Luk Keng Tsuen for more than 70 years.

From the Sunny Bay Promenade, walk along the stone embankment and you will reach the village of Luk Keng Tsuen in about 30 minutes. A few metres into the village hangs an almost unnoticeable sign that says “Sister Giu Convenience Store” in Chinese. At the back of the store is the house of Sister Giu, where you might find her enjoying a quiet moment. Even at nearly 90 years old, the spryly Sister Giu still occasionally heads out to the shore to harvest mussels and catch other seafood, living an ”ordinary” village life, and sometimes giving out supplies to passers-by.

Sister Giu calls the sea her home. From here, she has witnessed the changes of this village for more than half a century. In fact, after a bad foot injury, she had previously moved to the city, but later decided to return to Luk Keng Tsuen for a simpler lifestyle, eventually becoming one of the very few Luk Keng villagers.

Sister Giu Convenience Store may look drab and simple, but it has stood the test of time and is one of Luk Keng Tsuen’s famous “landmarks”.

The entrance of the village of Luk Keng Tsuen. Decades ago, hundreds of families resided here.

From Kaito Ferry Services to Luk Keng Pier, the Popular Photo Op
From the Sister Giu Convenience Store, follow the beachside path and you’ll arrive at Luk Keng Pier in just a few minutes. From the pier, you’ll be within touching distance of some driftwood by the log pond. You’ll also overlook the beautiful Sunny Bay Promenade that you just passed. This was previously a pier for the kaito ferry services to and from Tsing Lung Tau in Tuen Mun. After the service ceased, the tiny white lighthouse that guided the ships has become an eye-catching icon on the pier.

The lighthouse that turned the defunct Luk Keng Pier into a popular spot among photography enthusiasts.

Explore the “Angel’s Road” during Low Tide
Next to the Luk Keng Pier, you’ll find a green railing. Behind it are a few steps that will take you down to the rocky beach of Cheung Sok. During low tide, the originally-hidden opening between the beach and Cheung Lok will appear, forming a pathway to the unmanned island. This dreamlike tombolo is also known as the “Angel’s Road”.


To catch this elusive “Angel’s Road”, you’ll need to find out about the tide times (we recommend the Hong Kong Observatory website). If you’re lucky, you can even catch the spectacular sunset, right above the glistening sea, from this opening.

From Cheung Sok you’ll see an almost unobstructed horizon. On the left is Luk Keng Bay, from where you’ll see Tuen Mun on a clear day. The sunset view from here is superb.

Tips: According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the tides in Hong Kong are irregular semi-diurnal tides. While there are two high tides and two low tides per day on most days, you may only get one high tide and one low tide per day on some days. Check the tidal information ahead of time to avoid upsets.

Cheung Sok has quite a rugged surface, and it takes about 60 minutes to walk the entire island. If you’re making Cheung Sok part of your itinerary, make sure you’re physically ready for it and check the tide conditions on the day of your visit. Additionally, some paths may be hidden and require climbing. We recommend wearing waterproof or non-slip shoes and other suitable equipment to complete the trip safely.

Capturing History and the Natural Wonders
Follow the log pond by Yam O Wan and you’ll discover the footprints of Hong Kong’s once-thriving timber industry; step into the hidden village of Luk Keng to relive the past. Finally, when the gates of the tides open, walk on the “Angel’s Road” to bask in the timeless wonders of nature. This trip may be a short one, but it is packed full of culture, history and nature – everything you need for the perfect family trip. Gather everybody and get your cameras ready!

 

How to Get to the Village of Luk Keng
From Exit A of MTR Sunny Bay Station, walk along the Sunny Bay Promenade and you’ll reach the Village of Luk Keng in approximately 30 minutes.