Duration: Approximately 4 hours
Suggested Route: Mui Wo Ferry Pier > Glassland Farm > Pause Cafe > Good Old Soil > Hung Shing Temple > Five Cent Bridge > Village Bakery
Highlights: Beyond its picturesque hiking trails, the laid-back town of Mui Wo also offers a wealth of experiences for you and your family. Immerse yourselves in the joy of farming — try your hand at harvesting and gain a newfound appreciation for the hard work that goes into growing fresh produce. You can also visit one of Mui Wo’s farm-to-table restaurants to savour the freshness of local produce, learn about the origins of food, and delve deeper into the rich farming heritage of the Mui Wo community.

As city dwellers become more aware of health and wellness, the topic of “sustainable diet” has emerged as a popular dietary trend in recent years. People are also increasingly curious about the source and quality of their food, advocating for fresh produce and low carbon delivery methods. This trend has given rise to the farm-to-table concept. This holiday, visit the farms in Mui Wo, where the local community is actively promoting the revival of agriculture. Embrace the rhythm of farm life, understand Mui Wo’s agricultural heritage, and fully appreciate the ethos of healthy and sustainable living.

The story of agricultural development begins at Mui Wo Ferry Pier

In the 1950s, agriculture was a thriving industry in Mui Wo. Every day, farmers would load their fleets of trucks with fresh produce and deliver them to the Mui Wo Ferry Pier. Their produce would then be loaded onto small boats for sale in the city. As crop production increased, the Mui Wo Agricultural Cooperative Society even purchased its own boats to transport produce to other markets by water.

For this tour, we start from Mui Wo Ferry Pier, and proceed along the waterfront to Ngan Shu Street, then take a right onto Mui Wo Rural Committee Road, before we head towards the Islands Nature Heritage Trail. It takes approximately 25 minutes to reach the farm on foot.

Mui Wo Ferry Pier, also known as Silvermine Bay Ferry Pie, remains one of the main hubs of transportation in the area. Adjacent to it is the bus terminus.

Step into the Fields to Reap the Joy of Farming
For those living in the city, getting ankle-deep into farmlands may be a completely foreign activity, and it will take some time to get your footing. But once you’ve adjusted to the setting and environment, it’s time to experience the joy of farming.

Brother Keung, owner of Grassland Farm, says that it's easy to find joy in harvesting. Something as simple as pulling out a carrot or harvesting broccoli heads engrosses people in the process and provides a great farming experience for first-timers.

Grassland Farm in Mui Wo was originally a rice paddy field, but the water channels and irrigation system were abandoned after years of disuse. After retiring, Brother Keung decided to start from scratch, resuming agriculture on this land and converting the land into a vegetable farm. He also opened it up for people interested in agriculture and learning about different crops and farming. For Brother Keung, Grassland Farm is a space for city dwellers to relax, destress, and contribute to agricultural development in Mui Wo. It is a place where visitors can reconnect with the land and understand the origins of their food.

No chemicals are used at Grassland Farm, which insists on an ecologically friendly way of growing.

Feeding Minds on Food Education
For those living in the city, farming isn't just about getting in touch with nature; it's about connecting with the land, food, and community. Many children know that produce can be bought in supermarkets and wet markets, but they know very little about where it actually comes from, let alone how to grow it. Only when they finally set foot on a farm and listen to the farmer's explanations will they understand that crops such as vegetables, fruits, and wheat must first be sown, watered, weeded, and sometimes fertilised before they are harvested and sent to the markets. When they recognise the original form of the crops in the field, they will begin to understand that nothing ever comes easily.

Experiencing farming first-hand allows your child understand the true meaning of “nothing comes easy in life.”

Fresher and Sweeter Local Produce
Embracing the farm-to-table concept and choosing local produce offer numerous benefits. Studies have shown that nutrients and sweetness in vegetables are often diminished during long-distance transportation. In contrast, locally sourced produce, with its shorter transit time, retains greater freshness and has a smaller carbon footprint. From a culinary perspective, the enhanced flavours of local vegetables are simply unparalleled. And when it comes to environmental protection, the advantages of local produce over imported alternatives are even clearer.

What you harvest with your own hands always tastes sweeter and more delicious.

Explore Mui Wo’s Farming Community and Excite Your Taste Buds
After more than an hour of farming experience, return to Chung Hau Street where you'll find many restaurants offering menus with the farm-to-table concept. It's now time to taste the freshness of local vegetables!

Pause Cafe sources local ingredients and focuses on light food to offer healthy and delicious local cuisine to the Mui Wo community.

After the meal, you can also take a walk in the area to discover a plethora of fresh Mui Wo ingredients. For example, Good Old Soil is a local market that collaborates with local farmers and provides a platform for them to sell produce. It's about a 2-minute walk from Pause Cafe.

Take a stroll around Mui Wo to discover more about the local farming community.

At the local market, you can purchase a diverse array of produce and handmade foods, including sauces, seasonings, teas, and rice. During the harvest season, Good Old Soil also organises farmers’ markets showcasing local farmers’ offerings, attracting residents and visitors to discover the bounty of Mui Wo’s agricultural community.

The painting on the gate of Good Old Soil is also inspired by Mui Wo's farming community, featuring pineapples, corn, blue butterfly pea flowers, and wampee trees, as well as the faces of local farmers.

Uncover Mui Wo's Rich Agricultural Heritage Through Architecture
While you're browsing around the Mui Wo community, you can also visit the two landmarks – Hung Shing Temple and Five Cent Bridge – to find traces of Mui Wo's rich history. Walk along Mui Wo Rural Committee Road for about 2 minutes and you will come to the Hung Shing Temple. It’s the one with bright red walls and green tiles. According to urban legend, Mui Wo often faced flooding caused by extreme high tides in the past, which greatly affected the farmers’ crops. The Hung Shing Temple was therefore constructed for residents to pray for more favourable weather.

After that, walk along Ngan Shek Street towards Silver Plaza and you will see a footbridge made of concrete, known as the Five Cent Bridge. The bridge dates back to the 1960s when it was originally a suspension bridge made of wooden logs and planks, which could be lifted and lowered. Not only did it facilitate the crossing of the river, but it also allowed fishing boats to dock during the monsoon season. In the past, residents had to pay 5 cents as a toll when crossing this bridge, hence its name.

These interesting tales highlight Mui Wo's community and agricultural development, and they foster a deeper understanding of this island town.

Before You Go: Visit Mui Wo’s Artisan Bakery
Before your tour comes to a delightful end, we recommend visiting a bakery that specialises in handmade, artisanal bread. It's about 3 minutes from the Mui Wo Ferry Pier, and it's where you can order a cuppa to go. Fun fact: the shop often gives out coffee grounds to local residents or farmers to turn them into compost.

Before leaving Mui Wo, visit this bakery, take a seat and enjoy some coffee and home-made bread.

During this trip, you will explore Mui Wo's agricultural past and its current development; see the beauty of the farm-to-table concept; and discover the Mui Wo community through its restaurants, farms, and shops. It also showcases the unique charm of its agricultural industry. And if you're here with your kids, they will be taught an invaluable lesson on food origins and food appreciation, while raising their awareness of environmental protection.

 

How to get to Mui Wo Ferry Pier
1.
Take bus 3M from Tung Chung Town Centre and alight at Mui Wo Ferry Pier; or
2.
Take the ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo