Hong Kong Day Trips: Ma Wan

Having been to many well known and also, not so well known neighborhoods and districts of Hong Kong, Ma Wan is one of those day trips where it shys in excitement compared to its peers. Nestled in between Tsing Yi and Lantau Island, this little island of its own is mostly residential with few remnants of fishing villages from the past. It also is home to the interesting children’s theme park (not quite sure what to exactly call it... ) Noah’s Ark.

On one of our last remaining weekends together in Hong Kong, we decided to take the ferry from Central Pier to Ma Wan, as it was one of the few remaining areas in Hong Kong that we have yet to explore. The ferry ride from Central was, of course, beautiful as always - with views of the Kowloon skylines as we inched closer towards the west. Once arriving at Ma Wan, we took the liberty to walk around to a few points of interests: the beach by the ferry pier, Noah’s Ark, Ma Wan Park, and attempts to locate an abandoned village without much success.

Points of Interests

Views of Tsing Ma Bridge & Kap Shui Mun Bridge

Both within walking distance of the ferry pier are views of either Tsing Ma Bridge or the Kap Shui Mun Bridge. In regards to the Tsing Ma Bridge, I prefer the views from our hike on Tsing Yi’s Tsing Yi Nature Trail Hike since it gives a more elevated view, however, this one does have a nice beach area as its backdrop which provides an interesting contrast.

Neighborhood Streets of Ma Wan, Hong Kong

The Beach

Pleasantly empty and within walking distance from the ferry pier was the public beach. When we passed by, there were only a few families and children playing and a couple of kayakers who just finished their latest trip.

Noah’s Ark Children’s Theme Park

Next to the public beach is the somewhat bizarre Noah’s Ark Theme Park, which as you guessed it, is shaped like an ancient vessel, hence the name Noah’s Ark. We didn’t go inside it though so I can’t comment on how it is, although, I am quite sure, just like most things in Hong Kong, you will probably be pleasantly surprised and it is a very nicely curated and programmed children’s theme park!

Ma Wan Park

This was probably the highlight of the day! I’m always amazed at how many wonderfully operated and maintained parks there are in Hong Kong. This one is no exception! With nicely paved pebbled pathways, the park has a family-friendly trail accompanied by lush and exotic vegetation. There is a round gazebo with plants and a flower tunnel that is a great spot for photos. Lastly, the park is home to a mini museum and excavation site of Neolithic human remains, who apparently used to inhabit the island more than 5,000 years ago!

Abandoned Fishing Village

This title is somewhat misleading as I’m not sure if we ever successfully located the so-called “abandoned fishing village” that I read about on blogs as well as encountered throughout the wayfinding signs on the island. We did, however, stumble upon a newly built village, which consisted of 3 story tile exterior country houses. Next to the last row of houses was a small pier that housed about 15 to 20 small fishing boats.

Potentially the Ma Wan Village? But one cannot be sure…

Chan Family Ancestral Temple

Because it was a scorching hot summer’s day in July when we visited and we walked around the same neighborhood 3 to 4 times attempting to find the fishing village without much success, we decided it was time to call it a day and head back to Hong Kong Island. During our walk back to the ferry pier, we stumbled upon this ancestral temple that was wedged between two lowrise apartment buildings.

Soon after, we made our way to the bus station and embarked on a trip back to Tsing Yi and stopped at the Maritime Mall for some Chinese food. I regret we did not go to the Door Northern Chinese Dining again to get Peking Duck but instead went to Paradise Restaurant (乐天皇朝）instead. We got the multi-flavored soup dumplings among other things but the food was just mediocre and nothing to be raving about!