Hong Kong Cheung Chau Island
Just a short ferry ride from Hong Kong's skyscrapers, Cheung Chau Island is a captivating escape into a world of traditional fishing village charm and vibrant local culture. This dumbbell-shaped island is fascinating for its delightful contradiction: it's a bustling community with a car-free center, where narrow lanes weave past temples, shops, and homes, yet it's fringed by serene beaches and hiking trails. Its most famous attraction is the annual Bun Festival, a thrilling week-long event featuring parades with "floating" children and a dramatic scramble up towers of buns. Beyond the festival, Cheung Chau offers a delicious taste of slow-paced island life, famous for its fresh, ping-pong-sized fish balls and a relaxed coastline perfect for a breezy getaway from the city's pace.
